Did you know that Tampa Bay ranks seventh in the United States when it comes to cities with the most total properties at risk of flood? The only cities with more properties at risk, according to the First Street Foundation, are New Orleans, New York, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Cape Coral.
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Water damage negatively affects a wide range of things inside the home, but one thing most homeowners won’t consider is the carpet. Believe it or not, wet carpet is much more dangerous than the occasional wet sock when you step in it. Furthermore, letting it dry on its own doesn’t always solve the problem. Below, we will go over carpet cleaning Tampa residents should try.
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Did you know that 14,000 Americans experience a water damage emergency daily? Water damage is a costly problem – partly because sometimes it occurs without homeowners even being aware of it until it is too late. For example, whereas flood damage has led to the significant water damage Tampa residents fear, many homeowners experience water damage because of appliance leaks, sewage backups, water overflows, and plumbing emergencies.
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You likely became a landlord because you were hoping to make a little profit off of your investment property. This is a great idea, as long as you are prepared for the continuous upkeep that is required. When something goes wrong at your rental property, such as water damage Tampa landlords fear, it is usually up to you (the landlord) to fix it. And one issue that landlords have to deal with frequently is water damage.
According to iProperty Management, “The average home insurance claim costs around $10,000 and the insurance payout number for water damage in 2017 in the US was $13 billion.” As you can see, water damage can quickly become a major expense and a massive headache for landlords. That’s why it is important to take steps to prevent water damage from affecting your rental property.
In order to maintain your rental property, it is critical to perform annual inspections. While you are performing these annual inspections, you should pay careful attention to the plumbing and plumbing fixtures, as well as all appliances that are connected to water lines (such as refrigerators, washers, and dishwashers). Have any leak repaired before the problem becomes much worse. Write in the inspections in your rental agreement, so it will be expected.
A common reason that landlords need water damage repair Tampa services is due to leaks. A leaky roof can be a major problem – especially during Tampa’s storm season. During your annual inspection, spend time checking your roof for any potential problems, such as leaks or cracks. Make sure to look closely at the chimney and roof vents. At the same time, inspect your attic for any leaks.
The purpose of your property’s gutters is to divert water away from the home. If you do not have your gutters cleaned regularly, you are risking water damage. This is because as the gutters become clogged, they are no longer able to divert water away from the home. Have the gutters cleared of all debris, such as leaves and twigs, at least once a year.
Unfortunately, how much water damage occurs is often up to the tenant. For example, if the tenant does not tell you as soon as there is a leak or a suspicious ceiling water ring, then you will likely have a much bigger water damage emergency followed by mold. Instead, make sure your tenants feel comfortable contacting anytime they think there is a problem – even minor ones like a leaky faucet. And, by all means, when they tell you they think there is a problem, go check! You don’t want to hesitate when you are dealing with water damage or else you will wind up spending much more on repairs.
Along the same lines, it is important for landlords to keep tenants informed. If there are any potential issues, such as hurricanes, flooding, or other pressing weather concerns, landlords should alert their tenants. It is important that you touch base with tenants and make sure they know where the water shut-off valve is and how to operate it. Not only will this help protect the property, but it’ll build the relationship between the tenant and landlord.
Insurance is vital for landlords. However, you need to understand your insurance policies. For example, there is a big difference between what types of water damage is covered by traditional homeowner’s insurance and what is not covered. Generally, water damage caused by flooding is not covered. For flooding, you will need a separate flood insurance policy. If your rental property is in a flood zone, it is wise to get flood insurance.
Additionally, you want to encourage your tenant to get renters’ insurance. If they are at fault for water damage, such as overflowing a bathtub, their renter’s insurance may cover the damage rather than your insurance policy.
According to Rent Prep, “A landlord is responsible for providing a habitable rental property, and by law this means there must be a working toilet, hot and cold running water and a tub or shower, among other necessities.” Therefore, the landlord is responsible for any repairs in the home due to water damage so that the home returns to a habitable condition as soon as possible.
However, the landlord is not responsible for any damage to the tenant’s property (such as furniture). The potential for flood damage Tampa tenants fear is one reason to invest in renter’s insurance.
If you are a landlord in need of quick water damage restoration in Tampa, contact Dririte. Dririte is available day and night to help you address the water damage in your rental property as soon as possible. Using advanced structural drying and technology, Dririte’s restoration experts will quickly have your rental property back to its habitable condition.
Since forecasters predict ‘above average’ 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and because the Tampa Bay area is already known as lightning alley, professional restoration services of Tampa Bay are already preparing. This is because more storms mean more Tampa FL water damage.
Whether you are new to the Tampa Bay area or have lived here all your life, you shouldn’t let storm season catch you off guard. While we can’t always predict when disaster will strike, we can prepare for spring storms and hurricane season. By taking the steps today to protect your family and your home, you can prevent even more damage than those who remain unprepared.
Even if storms do not cause catastrophic damage, they can still make things difficult. For example, storms can cause you to lose electricity, and flooding can make it unsafe for you to use water from public water systems. That’s why it is critical to have an emergency kit with necessary supplies. Experts recommend having water and nonperishable food for at least three days stored. In addition, you should have items like a first aid kit, a flashlight, a weather radio, a manual can opener, and copies of your important documents.
You should also prepare an emergency plan for your home or business. This plan should identify the safe places on the property where you can shelter during a dangerous storm, as well as the exits. Your plan should also include names and phone numbers for emergency contacts.
Don’t put your head in the sand. Sign up for emergency alerts through the American Red Cross, FEMA, or local news stations. Emergency alerts will give you time to make plans and get to a safe location. It is just as important to stay informed after the storm has passed. This is where your weather radio will come in handy. Just because the storm seems to have ended, there may be other dangers in the area, such as flooding, which will make it unsafe to leave home.
If you are aware of issues in your home, it is wise to do repairs now instead of waiting for them to worsen. For example, flood damage Tampa homes have experienced needs to be fully restored before they face another flood. Water damage can weaken the home’s structure, which will make it more vulnerable to this year’s storms.
You should also take time to evaluate your home’s exterior for potential problems, such as old tree branches that can break and fall on your home. Take note of anything that could be lifted or moved by strong winds, such as patio furniture, and consider anchoring it or moving it indoors. And don’t forget to clear your gutters! Water damage restoration in Tampa residents need can often be a result of clogged drains.
Many homeowners mistakenly believe their insurance covers flood damage. Whereas home insurance typically covers water damage, it does not cover flood damage – especially if you live in a flood zone. If you live in a flood zone, it is wise to purchase additional flood insurance.
It is also important for those who call the Tampa Bay area home to be aware of Tampa’s emergency plans. The City of Tampa has a Natural Hazards Map that identifies flood zones and hurricane evacuation routes. You can also find area shelter locations on the website.
If you are confused when you hear your area is under a severe thunderstorm watch or warning, you are not the only one. Many people don’t know the difference between a watch and a warning. While you should pay attention to both, a warning means the threat is imminent. A weather watch means there is a potential for dangerous weather in your larger geographical area. A weather warning means a storm system will hit your specific area.
With the large amount of lightning in our area, homeowners should consider investing lightning protection. Ready recommends “buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.”
The Tampa Bay Times reports, “The pandemic interruption could endure into hurricane season, which starts June 1, forcing unprecedented changes in the way Florida evacuates and shelters residents.” Shelters may look different this different this year, so it is important to find up-to-date information from local officials.
Dririte is the restoration service provider for flood damage cleanup Tampa residents can trust. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our structural drying and water extraction services can help Tampa area residents get their properties back to livable conditions sooner rather than later.
As Americans rushed to the stores and hoarding all the toilet paper in sight, a new problem arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. More people are home using their toilets – and those toilets are backing up. Why is this the case? Well, people are flushing more items down their pipes than usual. In particular, they are flushing things they should not be flushing causing their toilet to become clogged, or even worse, causing whole sewer pipe systems to become clogged.
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Sadly, water damage can occur at any time, and it is costly. Insurance Business America claims, “In 2017, the total amount of insurance payouts for water damage was $13 billion. The average claim cost about $10,000.”
When you are dealing with water damage from a leak, flood, plumbing backup, or pipe break, you need to know which water damage restoration in Tampa residents use. Here’s a hint – they don’t try to repair the damage on their own. As much as we would all like to save money and have the ability to address the issue ourselves, the truth is, water damage restoration requires professionals.
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According to Water Damage Defense, “14,000 people in the US experience a water damage emergency at home or work each day, and 98% of basements in the US will suffer from some type of water damage during their lifetime.”
When you have a pipe burst, washing machine overflow, a rook leak, or a home flood, you will need to hire the Sarasota water damage restoration professionals. This is because water damage is not to be taken lightly. The truth is water damage is costly and will result in even more damage if not handled correctly from the beginning.
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With the amount of time, money, and love you have poured into your small business, you don’t want to a disaster to ruin everything you’ve built. Whether you are dealing with a flood or a pipe break, small business owners have to work harder than others to make sure they don’t have to close their doors permanently.
Read More »Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems, when directly contacted by Category 1 water, can cease to operate, or they can function inefficiently or spread excess humidity throughout both affected and unaffected areas of a structure. If contacted directly by Category 2 or 3 water, they can spread contamination to unaffected areas. Even if an HVAC system is not directly contacted by water, when operating, it can spread humidity or contamination from affected to unaffected areas. Further, microbial growth from other causes can be carried to the interior of HVAC system components where it can accumulate and degrade HVAC component operation. Read More »
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