This article was originally published by Sara Tipton at Ready Nutrition.
Across large swaths of the United States, people are deeply entrenched in an unprecedented flood season. From bomb cyclones to the complete annihilation of farmland and crops across the nations, Americans are experiencing one of the worst flood seasons in history.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association), this year is “unprecedented” when it comes to flooding. “The extensive flooding we’ve seen in the past two weeks will continue through May and become dire and may be exacerbated in the coming weeks as the water flows downstream. This is shaping up to be a potentially unprecedented flood season, with more than 200 million people at risk for flooding in their communities,” writes Ed Clark, the director of NOAA’s National Water Center.
This warning comes as farmers suffer the massive loss of land and crops due to the floods. Because of this, we thought it would be beneficial to put together a guide that will help you determine whether or not your home has water damage, and what you can do about it. Water damage is a serious hazard and happens far more often than most people think. It can strike a home at any time, resulting from any number of different problems, leaving the homeowner unsure of where to turn for water extraction and restoration. Water damage can cause structural damage which can continue to worsen over time if not properly treated.
Property damage resulting from water and leaks is the third most common cause of homeowner loss. Water 
damage alone caused $9.1 billion in homeowner property losses from 2007 to 2009. The American Insurance Association (AIA) states that “water damage claims have been growing faster than other components of homeowners insurance.” About 14,000 Americans experience damages due to water and leaks every single day.
Many of these accidents could have been prevented, up to 93% according to the AIA, and most water damage occurs because leaks that were slow and gradual turned into a bigger problem seemingly overnight. The quicker you are able to spot water damage and repair it, the less impact it will have on your finances. Time is of the essence when it comes to homes damaged by water. Instead of living in fear, know the signs so you can stay on top of problems water can cause to your home!
Tell-Tale Signs To Look For
There are a few tell-tale signs that will alert you should your home have water damage. You will want to be on the lookout for:
- Dark or wet spots on the wall or ceiling – These spots indicate a leak of some kind and it would be beneficial to find the source of the water and prevent further damage to your home
- Drywall that begins to flake or crack – Again, the drywall will need to be replaced, but you will first need to find where the water doing the damage is coming from
- Wet spots, drips or puddles around your pipes, sinks, toilets, taps, etc.
- A damp, musty or moldy smell that suddenly appears; there could also be a sewage smell coming from any plumbing fixtures
- Hearing water running even when all the fixtures are turned off
- Suddenly feeling unusual dampness or humidity in the home
- If you are not on a well and use city water, check your bill every month. An unusually high water bill could be a sign that you have a leak in a pipe somewhere.
If you are unable to find the source of the water after determining you’ve got some damage, immediately call someone for help. Find a business that specializes in water damage and fixing it, and the sooner you can get them to your home, the better!
Water damage can quickly worsen and become a mold problem if not corrected as soon as possible. That will certainly ratchet up the cost of repairs and could end up making your family sick being inside a home with mold. Some mold can also be lethal, so it is of the utmost importance that you take the initiative and spot any damage as soon as possible!
Several years ago I went on a three day trip to visit relatives. I got back home and everything was OK. I was working in my garage for about 20 minutes and came back in the house and heard a hissing sound. I went into the living room and saw a huge puddle of water.
The connector between the wall valve and the bottom of the toilet had split open right where it connects to the toilet. Water was shooting out. I shut off the valve and used a beach towel to sop up the water. I have all tile and wood flooring so I didn’t have wet carpets to deal with. I ran the ceiling fans all day to dry whatever damp spots were left.
I bought two stainless steel connectors and replaced the one that broke and another one in my second bathroom.
If that connector had broken a day earlier my floors and base boards would be toast. Even if I was shopping for a few hours the water damage would be bad.
The connectors on my toilets were the cheapest $3 parts available. So just because someone wanted to save a few bucks (stainless steel connectors only $9 each) it could have cost me thousands. BTW, I got thinking about it and upgraded all the connectors for the two bathroom sinks, the kitchen sink, and the clothes washer. It was around $60 but dirt cheap insurance.
Some good info here.
Note to DR/Braveheart: Last week you were interested in a Ruger PC carbine. I have one and would not trade it ever.
1. Takes Glock 9mm mags
2. Regular stock/no scary pistol grip or flash suppressor.
3. Certainly NOT an AR or AK but maybe less likely to be banned.
I pair mine with a Glock as a “Truck gun” and leave my Black Rifles at home in the safe.
i just looked at this because turner’s outdoor store here in so cal was taking orders for them. i believe it said you could order it to accept ruger, glock, and one other kind of magazine for pistols. you could convert to any one of these mags by ordering some kind of adapter for each one.
Seminole Wind, thanks for the advice. The concept of the same caliber for both a handgun and rifle does hold some appeal to me. I looked at it on Ruger’s website and noticed that a scope and/or laser sight could be mounted on it. I think I’ll be getting one.
Mine came with an adapter for both Ruger and Glock mags. Think a 10/22 in 9mm that takes Glock mags.
i just looked and they are 599$ and says can be configured for glock or ruger mags…..no BOTH, of coarse. but i believe they can supply parts to make it accept either mag. how ACCURATE is it at, say 200 yards? or maybe a hundred? not worth much if it can’t be USED as a rifle to hit sumthin’ a ways out there….
Back to the subject of the article, a majority of counties in my state of TN have experienced some level of flooding so it’s been declared a federal disaster area.
keeping the storm drain inlets free of debris in your neighborhood is important .
Good article for city people.
I have owned my water systems since 1987.
My well in WA state only produced 5 GPM in the dry season.
I live on catchment in Hawaii so the tanks are all the drinking water I have in the dry season. I’m hypersensitive to water leaks. My present water pump has a feature in which it shuts down if it detects what it thinks is a low level, persistent leak
(Grundfoss pump). It makes it hard to ignore a leak.
As for the flatlanders with flooded homes and land, I feel for them. Flooding is common where I live but it goes away quickly, these flatlander people suffer for weeks before they can start to recover. I wish them well, but hey, that is what insurance is for.
I’m at 603 ft above sea level in the Shenandoah Valley. If I flood it would be all over in the valley. It rises to my level I’ll be getting a boat.
Jim, it’s 1200 ft. above sea level where the BOL and family are located so we’ll be just fine.
If basic shelter really has to be a lifetime investment, if it can cause the ruin of generations, can tank the (virtual) economy, and is a public safety issue, I think that unwanted inspectors should be sent to North Korea for punishment, when there is a failure. Your (fake, govt, makework, diversity) job is that serious and that important, right?