Facts About Flooding & Water Damage

By Kustom Disaster Restoration
Posted September 28, 2022

Believe it or not, every state in the U.S. has experienced at least some type of flooding within the past six years. (Yes, even desert states like Arizona!) Even homeowners who don’t live next to a body of water can experience costly and dangerous flooding. Severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, heavy rain, or even snowmelt from mountaintops hundreds of miles away can make floodwaters rise. 

And Mother Nature isn’t the only reason floods occur. Broken pipes, sewer line backups, damaged appliances, faulty sprinkler systems, and overflowing sinks and tubs are other reasons your home might flood.

Here are some interesting flood facts that might surprise you:

• Floods ranked #1 in the United States for natural disasters.
• Two feet of rushing water can easily carry a car away.
• Flash floods are known to bring walls of water 10 to 15 feet high.
• There is a 1 in 4 chance that a flood will damage your home within a 30-year period in a high-risk area.
• Homes in high-risk flood areas are more likely to suffer from water damage than fire damage.
• Most basic homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage.
• Areas experiencing new land development are at an increased risk of flooding, especially if the construction changes the natural runoff paths.
• For the last decade, total flood insurance claims have averaged more than $3.4 billion per year.

Now that you know some interesting facts about floods, how can you prevent floods from damaging your home? Below are a couple of tips on ways you can prevent water damage from floods.

Ensure Good Water Runoff

Poor water runoff can weaken your foundation, causing cracks and uneven settling. This makes it easier for water to find a path inside your home and cause water damage.  To ensure good water runoff, clean your gutters and inspect your downspouts to make sure they are in working order and pointed in the right direction. Downspouts should direct the water 5-10 feet away from your home.

If you have a yard, make sure it slopes at least 6 inches over a 10-foot span away from your home’s foundation. The sloping ground will keep the water from settling next to your foundation and contributing to water damage. You will also want to make sure the soil next to your home’s foundation doesn’t get too dry. Long dry spells can cause the soil around your home to shrink. When a heavy rainstorm comes in, the soil will expand, putting pressure on your foundation walls. Water the soil 6 inches away from the foundation and 3 inches deep to prevent it from contracting and expanding.

Check for leaks

Check for dark spots and other signs of water damage under your pipes and inside cabinets. Check for water stains on ceilings and for toilets that aren’t secure. Take a moment to inspect your roof for missing or loose shingles. Repair any cracked caulking and check your windows and door frames for any damage or gaps.

If you find a leak and you put off fixing it, it could lead to an even bigger water damage disaster, like mold growth. Don’t delay addressing water damage; you may not be able to see the extent of the damage until it is too late.

If your property does suffer water damage, contact the professionals at Kustom to handle cleanup and restoration. Get in touch today.