January 19, 2021
Floods can occur in a variety of ways, including a sewer back-up, an overflowing bathtub, torrential rain, seasonal run-off, and issues with the municipal water supply. In some cases, flood insurance and homeowners insurance may pick up part of or all the damages.
However, sellers are not always required to disclose flood damage during the selling process. In some states, they may only have to state if the area is prone to flooding. As a homeowner or home buyer, this critical piece of missing information could be costly. Faulty wiring, toxic mold growth, and damage to the foundation are incredibly common after floods and could be expensive for homeowners to repair. That’s why it’s important to catch these issues as soon as possible.
There are some signs of flood damage that you can check as a homeowner and homebuyer. Keep reading as we’ve rounded up some of the top ways to spot flood damage.
Mold damage can start to grow within a couple of days of a flood. If left untreated, the mold can spread into the foundation, insulation, walls, and appliances. If you see the telltale signs of mold, the house may have been damaged severely in a flood and not repaired properly.
Some of the most common signs of toxic mold growth include:
- Allergic reactions including runny nose, sore throat, trouble breathing, and even watery eyes because mold can cause damage to the respiratory system and nervous system
- Worsened asthmatic symptoms
- Intense fatigue
- Year-round cold symptoms
- Musty smell throughout the house
- Discolored walls
- Crumbling drywall
- Peeling or dimpling in your wallpaper
- Air from your HVAC system smells weird
Floods can inflict severe structural damage on a home. The floors may feel squishy or buckle under your feet. The ceiling might sag in areas, especially in the basement. The roof and foundation may show visible signs of warping, cracking, or even sagging.
If your appliances were in the flood, they’re likely damaged. If you’re assessing the damage immediately following the flood, you should shut off the electricity to the home as soon as possible. If you’re assessing the damage long after the flood has ended, check the appliances for water damage. If excess water is in the filters or the metal panels along the back are rusted or corroded, there’s a chance that they were damaged in the flood.
Water and electricity do not mix. During a flood, wires may disconnect, break, or even short-out. After the flood has subsided, you should avoid touching the wires to check if they’re connected, even if they’re insulated.
After a flood is long over, you might be able to spot signs of a flood if the wires are corroded or the metal components are rusted. This would indicate that the wires weren’t properly or fully repaired after the flood.
A flood can damage the water well and leave harmful chemicals in the water. And while you should check the water quality before buying a home and regularly afterward, the water quality can provide clues as to if there was a flood.
It's best to take a walk around the exterior of the home or building and observe. Look for areas in the ground directly next to the house where the ground is flat and then suddenly drops inches lower. This could indicate where a pipe had collapsed or burst, causing a flood. And even if it hasn’t caused a flood, it should still be fixed because it could contribute to mold growth.
An experienced inspector will be able to spot small and large signs of flooding around your home and tell you if the home was likely damaged in a flood. Inspectors are worth their weight in gold when it comes to buying a house.
While a seller may not disclose a previous flood, you can always speak to an insurance agent about running a Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Evaluation (CLUE) report. If past reports and claims were filed about the property, it would show up here. However, if the homeowner didn’t have flood insurance though, they may not have processed a claim and it would be missing from the report.
100% removal of mold is possible with the help of Advanced Restoration and Maintenance. Our team has provided water damage repair services and home/business remodeling in the Kalispell, Montana community for years. Need to set up a consultation? Call us at (406) 858-0054.
