Protect your property from flood damage with these tips

Photo by Chris Gallagher
Water damage usually occurs from internal sources, such as if you have burst pipes, a leaky roof, broken appliances, or problems with the building’s plumbing. These cases belong to “Category 1”, which is initially considered relatively safe. However, this term can drop to category 2 or even category 3, which poses a health risk due to contamination and pathogens. The service of fire and flood restoration in Calgary allows you to receive compensation for damaged property due to floods or fires. The key causes of water damage to real estate include:
- Pipe Burst: Sudden rupture of a pipe due to freezing, aging, or physical wear and tear;
- Water leaks in household appliances: malfunctions of washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, etc.;
- Roof leaks: damaged roofs, mechanical wear and tear of parts of the roof of the residence, or the absence of shingles, which allows rainwater to seep directly into the building structure;
- Plumbing problems: The property may have leaking taps, damaged seals, or damaged pipes in the walls.
When repairing water damage to real estate, it is important to act as quickly as possible. To prevent further damage and mold growth, immediate removal of water, and drying of belongings and living areas from exposure to water is necessary. Qualified repair technicians use special equipment such as moisture meters and special blow dryers to assess the extent of damage and ensure thorough drying.
Flood and water damage. Real estate insurance
Flood and water damage differ in both the cause and the repair methods required. Flood damage occurs as a result of external flooding, such as rivers or seas, and results in large-scale damage that can affect entire buildings. These types of damage often contain contaminants such as debris and sewage and require thorough cleaning and disinfection.
On the other hand, water damage usually occurs from internal sources within the building, such as burst pipes or leaking appliances. Usually, they are local and concern individual areas, not entire buildings. Restoring water damage primarily involves draining the affected areas and eliminating the source of the water. From an insurance perspective, flood damage usually requires separate coverage, while water damage may be covered under a standard home insurance policy, depending on the cause.
The key restoration approaches differ significantly: flood damage restoration involves intensive removal and drying procedures to mitigate structural damage and health risks, while water damage restoration focuses on preventing mold growth and effectively repairing damaged areas. Understanding these differences is critical for property owners to effectively manage and recover from water-related incidents.
Critically important flood mitigation measures include comprehensive recovery, drying, and decontamination measures to reduce health risks from contamination. Water damage restoration, on the other hand, involves quickly drying and repairing affected areas to prevent mold and structural damage.
Coverage is also different: flood damage usually requires separate coverage because it carries more risk and the potential for significant damage compared to water damage from inland sources. Understanding these differences will help you determine appropriate recovery strategies and insurance needs.
Aspect | Flood Damage | Water Damage |
Source of Water | External bodies of water (rivers, oceans) | Internal sources (burst pipes, appliance leaks) |
Extent of Damage | Wide-ranging affects the entire structure | Localized, specific areas affected |
Contaminants | Often contaminated with debris, sewage | Generally clean or slightly contaminated |
Restoration Process | Requires extensive extraction, drying | Focuses on drying, repairing affected areas |
Insurance Coverage | Typically requires separate flood insurance | Covered under standard homeowner’s insurance |
Key differences between flood damage and water damage
Flood damage, on the other hand, is caused by external sources of water and usually affects large areas or multiple immovable properties at the same time. This water is classified as Category 3 due to its unhygienic nature as it contains sewage, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Flood damage can be caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, heavy rains, river floods, or even man-made events such as dam breaks or urban flooding. Characteristics of flood damage:
- Scale: A large-scale flood affecting entire districts or regions;
- Pollution: the high concentration of bacteria, pollutants, and impurities in water;
- Severity: Often causes damage to buildings and poses a health hazard to people.
In connection with the pollution of flood waters, during the liquidation of the consequences of the flood, it is necessary to strictly observe the current safety protocols and regulations. Professional repair contractors, equipped with personal protective equipment and specialized detergents, are necessary for the safe restoration of flood-damaged residential buildings.
The process of repairing water damage to immovable property
Assessment and thorough, comprehensive review. Qualified professionals assess the current extent of water damage to the property using state-of-the-art equipment to determine an appropriate, effective restoration plan. The process of removing stagnant water takes place with the help of special, powerful pumps to prevent further flooding and damage to building structures. The drying of the building takes place with the help of industrial dehumidifiers and air circulators, which are used to completely dry the affected areas of the building. Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces is important because they are subject to recycling to prevent the development of mold and the appearance of various harmful bacteria. Restoration of damaged structures such as drywall, floors, and ceilings is required to restore the building to its pre-damage condition.
Flood recovery process
Make sure all safety protocols are followed, including wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Pump out floodwaters as soon as possible to minimize further damage. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and objects that come into contact with water is necessary to remove contamination. Similar to water damage, special equipment is used to completely dry out the real estate structure. Structural real estate repair consists of restoring severely damaged areas to ensure structural integrity and safety.
In summary, while water damage and flooding have similar potential to cause significant property damage, their origins, key insurance characteristics, and recovery processes themselves are quite different. Understanding these differences is critical for homeowners and property managers to effectively respond and limit losses during such events. When it comes to professional fire and flood relief, Calgarians can count on Double Clean Restoration. Their knowledge and quick response can help you limit the damage and successfully restore your real estate. By being aware of water and flood damage, people can better protect their investments and provide safer living conditions for themselves and their families.
This content is a joint venture between our publication and our partner. We do not endorse any product or service in the article.