What Is Secondary Flood Damage?

6/19/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy rains and flash flooding create the potential for your San Diego, CA, home to be inundated with excessive water. After the storm dies down, it is essential to complete an assessment and contact your flood insurance provider as quickly as possible. While you wait for the adjuster, it’s just as imperative to take measures to minimize the chances of additional issues forming. If that happens, there is good chance insurance won’t cover the repair costs.

Types of Secondary Flood Damage

While there are many visible signs of trouble due to the storm, there are potential issues that need to be addressed before they arise. Common secondary issues include:

Mold Damage: Since mold spores have the ability to form mold within 24 hours, it is vital that the affected areas are dried as soon as possible.
Electrical Issues: Depending on the level of the standing water, the electrical sockets may be affected. While there may not be immediate signs of trouble, it may lead to an electrical fire down the road
Corrosion: Pipes, studs and other metal materials will begin to form rust and corrode if left sitting in water. This may mean the slow deterioration of structural components.
Wood Rot: Wood absorbs water, which may lead to warping, buckling and eventually rotting. Again, this creates the possibility of structural issues down the road.

Consult a Restoration Specialist
If any of the above happens, it’s likely you won’t be able to count on flood insurance. To avoid those secondary issues from arising, it’s recommended to contact a mold and water damage cleanup and restoration company. Along with 24/7 availability to take your call, most certified companies are able to have someone on the scene to conduct a thorough inspection and provide a detailed remediation plan. While waiting for the go-ahead on repairs, they will be able to start the process of removing water-logged materials, water extraction and drying out process.
After the storm, flood insurance offers peace of mind. If action isn't taken to prevent secondary damage, you may be left with additional costly repairs without assistance.