An Important Fact About Flood Water and Your Home

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

North Carolina weather can bring flash flood alerts during any season of the year. These severe weather events can be the result of a major thunderstorm, microburst, tornado, or hurricane. Flood or ground water affecting your home can be dramatically different from a pipe or water heater that ruptures. 

Flood or ground water is classified as a Category 3 water loss, meaning it is grossly contaminated. Water is a solvent, and it picks up anything soluble that it encounters. Contaminates in flood water can include germs, microorganisms, bacteria, toxins, fecal matter, chemicals from improperly discarded medicine, oil, or gasoline. The hazardous nature of flood or ground water makes it extremely hazardous. As a result of these hazards, flood water is required by the water remediation standard know as the IICRC S500 to remove and discard all porous materials impacted by Category 3 water intrusions. This will include drywall, insulation, carpets, padding, impacted furniture and other contents. 

Clean water sources such as pipe or water heater that is caught within a few hours can be properly dried without the removal and disposal of impacted structural items or contents.

Flood or ground water is costly and is not covered by standard homeowners’ policies. A covered claim would require a separate flood policy. Most homeowner” don’t purchase one unless they live in a flood plain. Although the flood policies are expensive it might be something you want to consider.

If your home or business has been impacted by flood or ground water contact the water specialists at SERVPRO of Orange County to mitigate, remediate and reconstruct your home or business. Call us at (919) 596-1242. We Make It "Like it never even happened."