Water Damage is Caused by These Floods

 

The aftermath of a flood in a neighborhood that caused water damage.

Floods can cause water damage and even mold growth within hours. 

Flooding is usually caused by rain or snow melting on top of surfaces like roofs and sidewalks, which causes rare events when the water spills into basements or crawlspaces. Water can find its way into your home through cracks in foundation walls, gaps in utility lines, or leaky windows and doors. If no precautions are done to prevent flooding, you are putting your property at risk of lasting water damage that can lead to significant expenses down the road.

When you think of flooding, it probably seems like a very straightforward thing. Rain, rain, rain. Nowhere for the water to go. Flooding. However, it isn’t quite so straightforward.



The Different Types of Flooding

There are several different types of floods, and the damage each can do to your home or office can be quite different too. Knowing which one of the different types of floods could affect your home is key to knowing what you can do to better prepare for the disaster while ensuring that you and your family can quickly get to safety.

Let's look at five different types of floods that can cause water damage and learn more about them:

  • Coastal flood
  • River flood
  • Flash flood
  • Groundwater flood
  • Sewage flood

1. Coastal Flooding

A flood on the coast is caused by waves, tides, thunderstorms, or excessive rainfall. Coastal areas are prone to flooding due to how close they are to the ocean, and due to climate change, the risk is expected to continue to grow.

Roughly half of the U.S. population lives along the coast, with the risk of coastal flooding. One of those states is, you guessed it, California.

Coastal flooding can have major consequences on a property's interior and exterior. Coming into contact with contaminated flood water can be very hazardous to a person's health and should be avoided. The damp environments can even lead to mold damage in as little as 24 hours.

There are three levels of coastal flooding:

  • Minor: There is little damage to the property and is not life-threatening, which makes it one of the lowest threats.
  • Moderate: Some property damage and possibly life-threatening
  • Major: Significant property damage and seriously life-threatening

2. River Flooding

A river flood occurs when water overflows the top of a river's banks. Every size of river and stream has the potential to flood, with floods becoming more probable every two years. River flooding is most often caused by tropical storm systems, persistent thunderstorms, combined rainfall/snowmelt, as well as ice jams. Water rises above the bank during these pulses of melting snow or rain.

Although floods on rivers are typically predicted, the risk of significant property damage if a dam or dike breaks is considerable. However, the majority of river flooding events are caused by storms with enough notice for those in the surrounding areas to safely evacuate.

3. Flash Floods

Flash flooding can be caused by a variety of events including but not limited to rapidly falling rain, severe storms, hurricanes, tropical storms, and other weather systems. Flash floods can also occur as a result of a dam or levee breaking or a mudslide.

The intensity of a flash flood is determined by a variety of factors including:

  • The amount of rain received
  • Rainfall location
  • Surrounding landscape
  • Condition of soil

Urban areas are more prone to flash floods than suburban or rural regions, and the damage is likely to be greater due to decreased soil. However, the lack of soil is not the only reason for this increased risk of flash floods. Because the water cannot be absorbed fast enough by the soil in drought-stricken areas, it rushes off to lower elevations. These are similar to regions that have soil but haven't received rain for some time because the water can't be absorbed quickly enough, resulting in it flowing away rapidly.

The major risk with flash flooding is that it may happen rapidly, leaving little time to prepare. Those who are in areas that are seeing heavy rainfall are urged to be aware of the difference between flood watches and warnings to know if an evacuation is needed in their area. Floods can be hazardous in regions where drainage has been blocked or there are areas near floodplains.

Flash floods often cause serious damage in the form of down trees, damaged buildings, and washed-out roads. Flash floods can be capable of moving boulders, uprooting trees, demolishing bridges, and producing mudslides. They can also lead to significant structural damage to homes, including foundation damage, damage to appliances, as well as long-term harm as a result of mold damage.

4. Groundwater Flooding

Groundwater floods are caused by saturated drainage systems being overwhelmed by significant rainfall, resulting in water overflowing into streets and homes. Groundwater floods can affect any area of the United States, although they are most common in cities and rural areas. Fortunately, groundwater inundation occurs gradually when the water level is shallow and homeowners have time to remove their belongings.

However, this groundwater flooding can be troublesome because it may persist for weeks or months until the soil can absorb the standing water. To avoid that in your home, water restoration companies must extract excess water to minimize damage. As a result, they can lead to significant danger to homes, with an increased likelihood of structural damage to properties and more risk of long-term issues.

5. Sewage Flooding

When unexpected and excessive rainfall overwhelms sewage systems or treatment plants, they may break down and release untreated waste into water. Sewage floods are among the most unpleasant, as sewage leaks from pipes or drains or rise through toilets, sinks, or showers. The most serious floods are those caused by sewage, which may lead to infections, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and other illnesses. In these instances, a quick response from experts with experience in sewage cleanup services is critical.

6. Rainwater Damage

Flooding can occur in houses as a result of rainwater damage, which is especially common in regions with significant rains. Heavy rain can lead to water seeping into foundations and walls. This is bad news since it leads to mold, mildew and structural damage to your home. Gutters or downspouts that are overflowing are generally the sources of this sort of water damage. To prevent this sort of water damage, clean your gutters on a regular basis and have a rain gutter expert inspect for any potential issues.

Flood Damage to Your Home can be Restored

Live Green Restoration's flood damage restoration experts are highly skilled and can get your home back to normal quickly after a flood occurs. We are locally owned and operated and are available to you 24 hours a day.

Flooding can be really devastating to your home, especially if the flood is caused by a weak foundation or cracks in the walls of your home. No matter the type of flood, the damage to your home can be severe. Each home flooding scenario is unique and only a professional can determine the best procedures for dealing with it and recovering from the impact.

This issue can usually be solved easily by hiring a professional water damage restoration company like Live Green Restoration. Contact us to schedule an appointment at 661-585-2101 Monday-Friday 8am-5pm or 661-390-8255 during after hours and solve your flooding problems. We have been helping the community with flooding issues for years and can help you too!

Location: Palmdale, CA, USA

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