Dear Reader if you have flooded basement in Baltimore or Washington DC and have questions please call Jeff with SI Restoration at 410-458-5371 .

What’s the difference between a flooded basement and a basement that has a water damage ?

Flooded basement in kitchen . Pikesville Maryland resident has vinyl wood planks

Introduction

Hi it’s Jeff with SI Restoration and I have been in the flooded basement and water damage restoration business for over 35 years .

Although I am not an insurance professional and not a professional adjuster , I can try to give you a light explanation of the difference between having a flooded basement and basement with water damage . Yes there is a difference .

Although both are related to water damage , your insurance company does see a difference when determining whether you are covered or not . The term coverage means that your request for the flooded basement to be “ fixed “ will be paid by the insurance company .

Understanding The Difference Between Flooding and Water Damage

First let’s review each term and what it means .

The term flooded basement means that your basement took on water by a number of ways .

You could have a water spring underneath the concrete floor .
A big rain could force water through your basement foundation walls .
You forgot to turn on your sub pump.
Outside grading of your lawn

All of these basement flood causes are considered the fault of the homeowner because the homeowner could have prevented the water damage by inspecting those issues before the big rain.

Yes I say the same thing . Who the heck examines the concrete walls for cracks ?

Well the insurance companies believes that you should be doing this yearly at least . So unless you buy a very expensive flood insurance policy , you will probably be not “ covered “ for the flooded basement especially if you are in Baltimore Maryland .

What Does Water Damage Mean ?

Now the term water damage is a big difference when speaking to your insurance company . They consider water damage as something that has caused a flooded basement that was out of your control .

Examples of flooded basements that are out of your control water damages can be :

Any pipe that ruptures or releases water on it’s own
Water heaters that bust or leak water in the basement .
Toilets that over flow even if you forgot to pull up the toilet handle
Toilet wax rings that corrode .
Your refrigerator water line that releases water and leaks water and causes water in your basement .

There are more examples but those are the most popular .

It’s the insurance companies thought process that these situations are out of your control or that they were done by human beings by mistake . Yes you got it , stupidity is covered under insurance .

Bottom line is to have a conversation with your insurance agent making sure you are completely aware of what is covered and not especially when you have a flooded basement in Baltimore Maryland .

For additional information go to www.si-restoration.com or go to these web sites

https://www.epa.gov/natural-disasters/flooding

https://www.cdc.gov/floods/safety/reentering-your-flooded-home-safety.h…

www.iicrc.org

www.si-restoration.com

SI Restoration flooded basement clean up services are available in the following Maryland areas :

Towson

Pikesville

Catonsville

Bel Air

Baltimore City

Baltimore County