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Water damage is one of the most common problems that people experience in their homes. Water may enter through a leak in your roof, from appliance failures such as washing machines, dishwashers, or icemakers, through broken sewer lines, or from major fire extinguishing efforts.  The longer the water sits, the more extensive the damage becomes. Immediately addressing water problems can often save thousands of dollars in damage repair costs.

To create a common language and to help allow for standardization between disaster restoration companies and insurance adjusters, water damages are broken down into categories with guidelines for dealing with each.  According to the IICRC Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (IICRC S500), there are three categories of water that cause damage in buildings.  They are summarized as follows:

Category 1—CLEAN WATER originates from a source that does not pose substantial harm to humans.  Examples: burst water pipes, failed supply lines on appliances and vertically falling rainwater

Category 2—GRAY WATER (unsanitary) contains a significant degree of contamination, physical, biological or chemical, and has potential to cause discomfort or sickness if consumed by humans.  Examples: small overflow of toilet bowls with no waste, broken aquariums, dishwasher and washing machine overflows

Category 3—BLACK WATER (grossly unsanitary) contains pathogenic agents.  Examples:  sewage back-ups, floodwater, water that contains chemical or other wastes

Different removal methods and measures are used depending upon the category of water.  Water may lurk behind baseboards, sheetrock, and studs and is often missed by homeowners, resulting in bacteria and mold issues.  Cleaners will use specialized moisture detection tools to assess the affected areas, determine the extent of the damage, and establish a plan for returning the area to a pre-loss condition.  Services will be provided safely, quickly, and with as little inconvenience to the homeowner as possible.

If your insurance agent is unfamiliar with the NFIP, or is not licensed to sell flood insurance from the NFIP, you have two additional options:

• Contact Jame Lunders at 515-224-9498

• Contact the NFIP at (888) 379-9531 to request an agent referral

When flood insurance is required
If you buy a house in a designated high-risk flood zone and receive a mortgage loan from a federally regulated or insured lender, your lender is legally bound to require you to get and maintain flood insurance.

When flood insurance is not required
If you have a home of business in a low-or-moderate risk flood zone, flood insurance is not required. However, flood insurance is still available and you may be eligible for a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy.

30-Day Wait
There is a standard 30-day waiting period, from date of purchase, before a new flood policy goes into effect. However there are some exceptions to the 30-day wait.

• If your lender requires flood insurance in connection with the making, increasing, extending or renewing of your loan.
• If an additional amount of insurance is required as a result of a map revision.
• If flood insurance is required as a result of a lender determining that a loan, which does not have flood insurance coverage, should be protected by flood insurance. The coverage will be effective upon the completion of an application and the presentment of payment of premium.
• If an additional amount of insurance is being obtained in connection with the renewal of a policy.

Buying Insurance
When you are ready to purchase insurance, talk to your agent. He or she will help you determine the flood insurance coverage that will best meet your needs.