Water Damage Numbers Speak Volumes | SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County
12/10/2021 (Permalink)
As adults, we all have learned that life can be tough, unfair and exhausting. We work hard to provide for our family, keep up with monthly bills and stay on top of home maintenance. However, no matter how hard we try, "adulting" is just what must be done.
When you decide to buy a home in Dutchess County, you know going in that you are taking on a lot of responsibility as well as risk (regardless of where). At some point or another, no matter how much you prepare, your home is likely to be affected by water damage of some kind.
With that being said, you can take some peace of mind in knowing that you are keeping your pipes and appliances well-equipped and maintained. Doing so can lower your risk of becoming part of the water damage statistics:
- This is the percentage of all home insurance claims pertaining to water damage. That’s one out of every 50 homeowners that file a water claim in a given year.
- When water strikes your home, the only appropriate response is to act quickly. You only have approximately 48 hours before mold can set in, which will cause you even larger problems. And honestly, sometimes it doesn’t even take 48 hours.
- If you own a home that has a cool basement that has become a man cave or game room, you might not like this one- Homes with a basement have a 98% chance of experiencing water damage. Ground water penetration, pipes bursting, flooding from storms or run off, hot water heater failures, toilet line breaks…basements are the total victim here.
10,234. This may seem like a large number, and it is, but when you consider that it is the average amount of money paid out for water damage, you might rethink that. If you were to put a value on things in your home that water has affected, this number can seem relatively small. Between the flooring, walls, insulation, appliance replacement and don’t forget about furniture, clothing, electronics and personal effects.
14,000. This number shows how many Americans encounter water damage every single day! To put that in perspective, that means that every six seconds, someone is dealing with a new burst pipe or appliance that gave out.
13,000,000,000. Yes, this is a lot of zeroes! $13 million is the amount of money paid out each year in the United States for water damage.
Now that you see the numbers, you can see that water damage is something that happens every single day. And while these numbers can be somewhat overwhelming, you can sleep easy knowing that most water damage is preventable with proper upkeep and maintenance. Make sure you are doing your part in ensuring that your home is well-maintained and cared for.
Keep up to date on your homeowner’s insurance policy as well. Make sure to make any revisions for flood coverage, sump pump installations, mold remediation coverage, and personal property changes.
If water damage catches you off-guard and leaves you all wet, you’ve got help on your side. Contact SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County to see how we can quickly and fully restore water damage to your home or business. We’re here to help 24/7!