Water Damage Where You Least Want It

You did it, you created an oasis for just you: your hobbies, your interests, your friends, your passions. Whether you use it every weekend, or only for the Super Bowl, outbuildings need to be protected from water damage. Floodwater or a broken pipe can cause extensive and irreversible damage. Floods or disasters can ruin your space by 1) wiping out belongings and 2) permanently damaging floors and walls to your Davenport establishment. 

It is important to take the time to flood-proof your outbuildings. Floodwater can cause permanent damage to furniture, books, documents, and other water-sensitive items, and it can cause the wood to swell and warp. If water is not immediately removed, we at Challis Restoration know that mold and other microbial organisms can begin to grow. 

Prepare Before A Flood Or Heavy Rains

You should also work to flood-proof your home and external spaces before the rainy season. For example, if the space is below ground level, install a sump pump and backup power source. Add backflow valves to toilets and drains.

Once a flood warning has been announced, immediately gather the emergency supply kit and pay attention to the TV or radio for updates. If possible, make sure to bring in any outdoor items such as grills, furniture, and trash cans. Securely tie down large items. Carry every valuable thing in the space to the highest floor in the house, especially that big screen T.V.

After Water Damage

After the flood, call your insurance provider as soon as possible. Take pictures of the damage and make sure to keep accurate records throughout the repair process. After the appropriate steps have been taken, the cleanup process should begin. For safety reasons, the electricity to the entire house should be turned off. Floodwater needs to be removed immediately to prevent the growth of mold and other dangerous organisms, so it is a good idea to call in a professional to handle the extensive cleanup process.

Is It Covered By Insurance?

You’ll want to notify your agent about your new structure, of course, but most homeowners policies will cover buildings on your property that aren’t attached to your home, like a gazebo, shed or detached garage through “other structures protection.” Typically, the standard coverage is for 10 percent of the amount of insurance you have on your home. So if your home is insured for $300,000, your shed and other structures would be insured for 10 percent of that, $30,000.

Total coverage is for all of your unattached buildings, including fixtures like fences. So if the addition of the shed now brings the value of your outbuildings to more than 10 percent of your standard coverage, you may want to increase the total of your homeowners insurance policy.

Plus you may want to be careful about what exactly you store in your shed and consider what perils your policy covers. To properly protect certain high-value items like a billiard table, you can purchase additional coverage that protects the specific item for its appraised value. Enjoy your new building, but don’t keep valuables in your shed. 

If you’ve experienced a major spill in your hideaway, call us as soon as possible. The concrete floor can sustain water damage, staining, and other problems if the water remains for too long, and the walls can lose some structural integrity as well. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will get.

Call Challis For Your Water Damage Needs

The team at Challis Restoration in Davenport knows the restoration and recovery process – from first-aid measures and emergency response to technical services and total reconstruction. With over 25 years of experience, contact us if you have any questions regarding water damage cleanup, storm damage restoration, sewage damage repair, or flooding cleanup.