What to do if your home is flooded
October 3, 2018
What to do if your home is flooded –
If water gets into your house, it can wreak havoc, especially if mold starts to grow. But there are a few things you can do to protect yourself before and after a water-related disaster to save money and headaches.
Not all water damage is the same, and different types of insurance coverage are needed for the ways water enters the home, said Vernon Hawkins, Long & Foster Insurance regional manager for Montgomery County/Southern Maryland and Washington D.C. As always, it’s best to work with your insurer to make sure you’re adequately covered before anything happens.
Most homeowners policies require a separate endorsement for water damage, such as from a sewer backing up or pipe breaking, or rainwater coming in through the roof, for example. Additionally, there’s flood insurance, for people who are in federally recognized zones that are prone to flooding or who may experience a swell of groundwater into their homes. Homeowners insurance typically won’t cover flood events.
“One of the things I see a lot in D.C. is where the storm sewer openings get blocked by debris, which causes flooding,” Hawkins said. “That’s considered a flood, so you would need flood insurance.”
If water gets in, here are five steps Hawkins recommends taking:
1. Try to stop the damage, if you can do so safely. That could mean placing sandbags to keep out flooding, using a sump pump or shop vac to remove water, or finding your home’s water shut-off valve to cut off the flow into the house. Remember, flood water often contains sewage and contaminants, so you shouldn’t let it touch your skin. Don’t sacrifice your health and safety.