Water damage can have a lot of causes. Among them are leaky or burst pipes, leaky roofs, heavy summer storm or frozen pipes due to winter snow, and broken sub pumps. Now, if you want to know whether your insurance company will shoulder the expenses for damage repair, the answer is yes and no. It just depends on the type of insurance you have. However, it also depends on how you report the problem to the insurance company. If your basement sub-pump cannot keep up with the amount of water coming in because of heavy rains, you need a flood insurance to cover the expenses, as this situation is considered a flood. A similar reason is applied if your sub-pumps do not work and you need to have a replacement. But if the water comes from a crack and collects in your basement, this is not covered by the flood insurance because the issue is considered seepage. When you have mold damage, generally, the insurance company does not pay because they only cover flood water damage. Mold damage, which is considered secondary damage, is almost intrinsically a part of water damage. Most insurance companies do not shoulder the expenses for secondary damage, because they are a consequence of negligence or lack of proper maintenance and care. So, if you have damage to your water system, the first thing to do is to find the source of the leak. If it does not come from the rains, then, it must have come from a leaky or burst pipe. You can check this by turning of the main water valve. If the leak comes from your roof, you have to do your best to make it stop. Place a pail or basin directly where the leak falls, to contain the water. If you successfully stopped the leakage and the damage to your water system, it is time to clean up the mess. But first, you need to assess the damage done to your possessions. If it is minor, then maybe you can handle it yourself. Start by drying the area. Open the windows and bring in some electric fans or box fans, and focus them on wet areas. This will help dry up the items and areas affected by the water. You also need to bring out your dehumidifier to take the moisture out of the air. Have your dehumidifier running until your belongings and surroundings are dry. This avoids the formation of mold and mildew. Maybe your books and some furniture are damaged by the water leakage. You can take them out to the sun for drying or store them somewhere dry and humid if it is raining. Some homeowners discard unimportant books. If the water damage brings some foul odor, you may want to clean up with detergent soap. This removes the dirt and the bacteria causing the bad smell. Then, dry up with a vacuum cleaner if you have one. If you don"t, use your electric fans. But if the water damage is major, and includes the drywalls and floors, then you had better called for professional help. You will also have to inform your insurance company.
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