Protecting Your Home against the Losses Involved with Flood Damage

When buying a home within a flood zone you are required to purchase flood insurance through FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency. This coverage protects homeowners and mortgage companies. It protects from the losses that occur from water damage to your homes structure and contents when flood damage wreaks havoc to your home. If you live in an area that is prone to flash floods it is advisable to go ahead and protect your assets with the additional insurance that cover flood damage.

It can also be useful to have if your home is in an area with a high water table and you have a home with a basement. Basements are often the storage compartments for all memorabilia that has been collected for holidays, camping gear, tools, out of season clothes etc… If your basement flooded would you be able to financially replace all of the items damaged beyond repair? This is where flood insurance would be useful. It protects your belongings from the unexpected. Heck, none knows when the electricity is going to go out rendering the sump pump useless and water damage to occur in a basement.

Excess flood insurance is the term used when flood insurance is purchased to not only protect your swelling but also the contents within your home. This insurance is not provided through FEMA but instead is often obtained through your insurance provider. Your insurance company will act as the middle man for you in all dealings with FEMA. It is important to have excess flood insurance especially when you live in an area prone to floods. Most flood zones, even 100 year flood zones, require the purchase of additional insurance to cover your dwelling.

Many events can cause flooding. Flood damage can be caused by excess rainfall within a short period of time, snow and ice melting too fast, a leak from a pool or a clogged storm drain which in a sub division can cause massive issue for home owners.

It is important to research the area in which you are interested in purchasing a home. It is important that you add flood insurance to your budget when planning for a home purchase within a flood zone. The cost of flood insurance will depend on several factors; the size of your home, its value and the risk associated with the area in which your home is built. The expense can add hundreds of dollars to your insurance policy so it is something to really look into before signing on the dotted line. Most mortgage companies are upfront when offering a mortgage about the type of homeowner and flood insurance the purchaser will need. It is so important to be covered in the event of a disaster accidental or natural.

http://damage-history.blogspot.com/

Mitigating Hurricane Damage With a Roofing Inspection

Last month, the AFP issued this warning: The "2010 hurricane season may be worst on record." Referring to the Atlantic Coast, this hurricane season, which began on June 1, 2010, is anticipated to be an "active to extremely active" one.

Just how bad do experts expect it to be? "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) predicted 14 to 23 named storms, including eight to 14 hurricanes, three to seven of which were likely to be 'major' storms, with winds of at least 111 mph." Compare that to the average of 11 named storms, only six of which actually become hurricanes and a mere two of which are major ones, and the answer becomes obvious.

In response, roofing contractors are encouraging homeowners to make sure their roofs are ready for the weather pounding they make take this summer. This recommendation was made to coincide with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which took place May 23 to May 29.

Just like daylight savings time serves as a reminder to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, National Hurricane Preparedness Week should prompt you to "inspect and evaluate your home's roof," a roofing professional recently told OurTribune.com. The strong winds that are part and parcel of a hurricane can damage even a new roof, but if your roof is getting up there in age, it's particularly vital that you take stock of its condition.

You can, of course, perform this annual roofing inspection yourself. "Missing shingles, curling or splitting shingles, lifting shingles or loss of granules" are all good indications that your roof may need to be replaced, the Web site explains, and some of these issues you can spot yourself.

But to be on the safe side, you might want to consider calling in a roofing inspector. An expert roofer can spot other dangers signs that you might overlook, such as dark, dirty-looking areas on your roof; roof shingle, sheathing and siding decay; and blistering and/or peeling of your home's outside paint.

What if you decide to wait and just take your chances, despite the fact that you live in a hurricane prone area and your roof is of a certain age? You could be putting both yourself and your priceless belongings at risk. "Once air pressure moves through a hole in a roof and into the home during a hurricane, it can literally blow out the walls and windows of the house," the article's expert cautions.

As a result, homeowners in hurricane-prone regions of the country will want to make sure their roof is durable and properly installed by a top-notch roofing professional. Selecting a roofer that's been ranked in the top 200 remodelers in the entire United States can ensure you'll get the quality and expertise you require.

Although they can't stop the wrath of Mother Nature, homeowners can prevent unnecessary damage to their property and possessions this hurricane season. And doing so may be as simple as a minor roof repair. Even if an all-out roofing replacement is required, the cost is likely to be minimal compared to the destruction that might otherwise ensue.

Tom Schlund is the Projects Manager at the Cleveland, including Lakewood roofing company, Franciscus Roofing. The business specializes in safety-first roofing [http://www.franciscusroofing.com/how-to-choose-a-roofing-contractor.cfm] repair.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Schlund

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4528587
http://damage-history.blogspot.com/

Tags: Roofing, Hurricane, Damage