Water Damage vs. Flood Damage – What’s the Difference?

Flooded Carpet Restoration Salt Lake City
Flooded Carpet & Drywall – How to Deal With Them at Home
September 26, 2020
Water Restoration Experts Salt Lake Utah
Water Damage Restoration – 5 Reasons You Should Not DIY
October 6, 2020
Show all

Water Damage vs. Flood Damage – What’s the Difference?

Water Damage Utah Salt Lake

Water damage and flood damage are two essential terms that many people use interchangeably. However, upon further inspection, there are crucial differences that should be taken note of, as each has its own unique nuances that affect the scope of its damage and the method of resolving it.

The confusion is understandable, given that both types of damage are caused by water entering places where they shouldn’t be. However, it’s crucial to determine what separates water damage from flood damage in light of insurance coverage.

For example, if you have water damage insurance—and want to file a claim with your insurance provider—then you will need to prove that the extent of the damages falls within the definition of water damage. Conversely, your flood damage insurance policy will also not cover any damages that may be caused by water, but not necessarily that of a flood!

1. What is water damage?

Most forms of water damage rise from plumbing issues. A home’s walls, ceiling, or even furniture can get water damage because of a leaking pipe or a clogged bathtub that’s overflowing. In the winter, old pipes can also break, which will cause such damages too.

If the leak or break is not discovered and repaired immediately, it can cause severe damages to nearby parts of your home. Such damages starting from upper floors can be especially difficult to manage because the water will always find its way down—causing even more damages along the way.

It may seem counterintuitive, but water damage can also occur because of a fire. When a fire breaks out of your home, the water used to put it out can cause damage if left unattended for more than a few days.

2. What is flood damage?

As its name suggests, flood damage is caused by water entering your home due to a flooding event. Flood damage is typical in low-lying areas, where heavy rain pooling from higher areas comes gushing down to lower areas—thus causing flooding. This also happens in urban areas with improperly maintained sewers or areas near water bodies that receive floods of water released from dams.

If a clogged sewer system’s contents overflow due to heavy rain and enter your home, that can also be considered as within the definition of flood damage. The same is true if the flood was the result of a dam opening its gates as well.

3. Do all weather-related water incidents fall under flood damage?

So far, the definitions have been clear cut. However, not all weather-induced water incidents fall under flood damage. If the water entered your home through a damaged roof or improperly treated concrete walls, then most insurance policies will treat that as water damage only.

Simply put, to qualify as flood damage, there must be a flood taking place in your general area. The damage must be caused by water entering your home from the surface, not from the sky directly.

4. What should I do to restore water or flood damage?

The first thing to do is to call for a restoration company near you. Experienced water damage restoration specialists will inspect the extent of damage to your home and perform the necessary repairs to return it to its state before the damage.

Restoration companies, like us at AAA Restoration Utah, will have flood cleanup and water damage repair teams to ensure that your needs are well-taken care of. Our team can also analyze whether the cause of the damage falls within the definition of either water damage or flood damage for proper filing of insurance claims.

Conclusion

All flood damage is a form of water damage, but not all water damage is caused by a flood. This distinction is important because if you only had one type of insurance, you’ll need to ensure that the damage falls within the correct definitions—or else you will have to pay for the costs entirely out-of-pocket!

Are you looking for a water damage restoration company in Salt Lake City, Utah? AAA Restoration Utah is a licensed, full-service general restoration company based in Salt Lake City. Aside from water and flood damage repair, we also do new carpet installation and mold removal, among others! Contact us today to learn more about our services.