Frequently Asked Questions from our readers
Question. Why wouldn't I report this incident to my insurance company?
Answer. If the damage is severe you should contact your insurer right away. We all maintain insurance for such abnormal events which we cannot afford. However, most water damage repair needs are confined to a specific area of the home. Most insurance policies have deductibles of $500, $1000, $2000 or more. In many water damage cases such as leaks and spills, the cost for restoration and repair may well be under or under your deductible level. Why file a claim with your insurer and damage your record with the insurance company (which keeps your insurance costs low) when you are only going to get a small check from them. Save it for the hurricane or the earthquake save it for the sustained roof leak or the discovery of toxic mold.
Question. Can I use my own dehumidifier instead of calling a water damage restoration professional?
Answer. Maybe, if your damage is confined to the area of a small closet or you happen to own a large industrial dehumidifier which professionals use, you can try. You would also need several industrial fans to circulate the air in the effected area in a circle around the room. Otherwise, I am sorry to say that I would recommend calling a pro. Why take the chance.
Question. How do I know if I have water leaking in or a condensation problem with my wall?
Answer. One test of a water leak from a wall is to tape some plastic or some aluminum foil to the place you think the water is coming from. Securely tape each side of the plastic or foil. Give it a few days and check it. If you see moisture on the outside of the plastic or foil then your basement has a moisture issue. If, on the other hand, you see that moisture has formed inside the plastic or foil between the wall, you can be pretty sure that you have a wall leak.
Question. What can I do if my neighbor caused my water damage?
Answer. If your neighbor leaves their sprinkler or hose running too long or their water pipe is allowed to get old or clogged or leak continuously, it could result in water damage to your own property for which your neighbor is legally responsible. When your neighbor is careless or acts unreasonably with water causing damage to your property, it is possible to sue for compensation for your losses. One would hope that the neighbor puts a stop to the source of the water, but if not, one can also ask the court to order a stop to your neighbor's actions. Of course, as in all things involving your neighbors, it is probably wise to save legal recourse as a backup to simply going to your neighbor's house to talk about the problem.
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