Learn Water Damage Repair Simple Tricks
As millions of people have discovered, water damage can be a disaster whether it is due to natural causes like flooding or a broken pipe. Learn what to do when water damage strikes with these simple steps.
When the Water Rises
Disasters usually have a way of reminding us of important lessons. In late-summer 2005, that disaster was Hurricane Katrina, and the lesson was to always be prepared.
Out of the rubble of the Gulf Coast region emerged a lack of preparedness on a variety of levels. On a basic level, most citizens lacked flood insurance, even though New Orleans is a city surrounded by water. In fact, it was estimated that between only 30-40% of residents hit by Katrina had any form of flood insurance. In some places, this number was even lower.
Many policyholders do not realize that basic homeowners insurance does not include protection from flood damage. Instead, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers flood insurance through a federal program.
In many cases, if your home is in a high-risk area for flooding, you must get flood insurance in order to get a mortgage. In the wake of Katrina and later, Hurricane Rita, many called for flood insurance to become mandatory in high and even medium-risk areas. Just as auto insurance is required by the government, flood insurance could be too. Increased participation would also mean much lower rates, the more people who sign up, the cheaper the insurance is.
Flood insurance is actually quite affordable. But that has yet to increase its popularity. According to insure. com, only one-quarter of the most vulnerable homes are insured, even though statistics have shown that their homes are much more likely to be flooded than be destroyed by fire.
And in the case of Katrina, flooding wasn’t the only damage to homes and businesses. Looting and fires ended up destroying many possessions.
Prices depend entirely on the amount of coverage you wish to purchase and the area your home is located in. The “average” cost of flood insurance is about $438 for a year. Costs for the insurance can range from around $2,000 a year in a flood-prone area for $250,000 in building coverage with $100,000 coverage for the contents. If you simply live near a flood zone, instead of in it, the prices for $35,000 in building coverage and $10,000 for the contents will cost about $300 a year. This is for people who live in a low to medium risk area.
Recently, flood insurance providers in South Carolina and California, two flood-prone areas, have received a large increase in calls asking about flood insurance policies. This may be a sign that the disaster in the Gulf has helped to remind people of the need for preparation.
Flood insurance may not be right for you, and you may not live in a high-risk area. But at any given moment, many formerly safe areas can be flood-prone and the results can be devastating. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have taught us all to be more prepared in the event of a disaster and one of the best ways to make sure your home and possessions are safe, is to buy flood insurance.
Water and Phoenix Real Estate
If you really know your American history (and/or have ever read the book or seen the PBS documentary Cadillac Desert) you understand full well that settlement of the West and water issues are inextricably bound ? particularly in the desert areas where many people choose to make a phoenix real estate investment.
The fact is that without water, there would be no Phoenix AZ real estate ? nor the city of Phoenix proper, for that matter. Fortunately, the Gila River is nearby, as well as a number of creeks and reservoirs. Over 1300 years ago, these enabled the Hohokam People to grow crops on the exceptionally fertile land. Almost a century before the time of King Charlemagne, the Hohokam created a highly developed civilization in the Valley of the Sun that endured for seven centuries. Their systems of irrigation canals formed the basis of the modern metro area?s water systems today.
Those of you planning to invest in Phoenix real estate or settle down in the area will do well to remember however that Maricopa County is a desert. Water is a precious resource, and in order to maintain the quality of life we enjoy in this area, it is important to practice water conservation.
Many Phoenix homes are landscaped using the native vegetation within attractively designed rock gardens. While a home with a traditional lawn may appear to have greater value, the cost ? both financially and ecologically ? of maintaining a lawn will be high and not a particularly wise use of resources.
It?s also popular to have private swimming pools in climates such as we have here in the Phoenix area. Aside from tremendous drain on local water resources, your Phoenix real estate agent will advise you that a swimming pool, while lifting your property?s value, represents a considerable investment in terms of maintenance and a potential liability as well. The possibility of someone being injured or drowned in your swimming pool is something that home insurers take into consideration when determining risk and potential liability.
In general, when planning to settle down in Maricopa County, it?s good to consider living in harmony with the environment rather than attempting to adapt it to your own tastes. Choose a home with environmentally-friendly, less water intensive landscaping. Make sure your home has low-flow toilets and shower heads ? then learn all you can about water conservation. The Arizona Department of Water Resources at http://www. azwater. gov is a good place to start learning about the latter topic.
Meanwhile, your Phoenix realtor can help you to choose the perfect home that will meet the needs of your family while making a minimal impact on the environment and local water resources. Once you have chosen and settled into the ideal home, you will come to appreciate the unique ecology and beauty of the Southwest desert on its own terms.
What to do if Your Home or Business Gets Water or Fire Damage?
