Check your homeowner's policy for flooring insurance and water damage coverage. Whether the water damage came from a leaky roof (water damage insurance) or rising waters (flood insurance), there's a chance that some or all of the cost to replace, restore, or repair your water-damaged floors may be covered.
Let's talk about how to get your floors back into excellent condition with the help of an insurance claim.
Repairing Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
Hardwood is, by far, the flooring type most sensitive to water damage. Wood swells when thoroughly soaked, and floorboards that once fit beautifully together will warp and buckle like tectonic plates forming a mountain ridge. It's not a pretty sight. However, knowing what to do immediately after water soaks your hardwood can help you make a strong flooring insurance claim to cover the cost of repairs or new flooring installation.Length of Time for Water to Damage Hardwood Floors
It takes between 24 and 72 hours for water damage to warp your hardwood floors permanently. Fortunately, most water damage insurance coverage includes emergency drying procedures. If you get started right away, there's a chance you can save your hardwood before it becomes a floor replacement project.How Much Insurance Coverage Can You Expect?
It depends if you're wondering how much insurance will pay for flooring. With an ideal policy, your insurance would cover replacing your hardwood with a floor of equal or lesser value. However, you can usually expect a deductible indicating how much your insurance will cover for hardwood floor repair or replacement before the cost is back on you.Read your policy and check in with your insurance agent for a realistic number you can take to your flooring specialists.
Will Insurance Cover Hardwood Flooring Water Damage?
Yes, most of the time. But the real question is which insurance will cover your hardwood flooring water damage. You should file a claim with your homeowner's insurance policy (which includes water damage coverage) if the water damage were caused by a leak in your roof, siding, windows, or burst pipes.However, you should file a claim with your flood insurance policy if rising waters from torrential rains caused the hardwood floor damage.
Remember:
- Water from above = homeowner's policy flooring insurance.
- Water from below = flood policy flooring insurance.
Insurance Claims for Laminate Flooring
Laminate or linoleum flooring is the other type likely to take severe water damage. If you have roll-out flooring (convenient in utility spaces), it can detach from the board below and form bubbles when flooded. Not only is this unattractive, but it can mean water is still trapped between your floor and foundation, which is terrible news for the home's longevity if allowed to remain.You can seek flooring insurance for water-damaged laminate flooring and are more likely to have the total amount covered because laminate floor replacements are more affordable than hardwood.
Replace Your Water-Damaged Floors in Florida, Today!
If your Florida home's flooring was recently water damaged, contact your insurance provider(s) to confirm your deductible, then seek professional floor repairs or replacement today.At Smart Floors, we are proud to help homeowners nationwide source new flooring, expert installation, and competitive prices that can work with your insurance claim.
Contact us today to begin restoring your home's beautiful floors.
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