Water Damage in New Hope PA - A Post-Flood Guide

by: Leo Nov

New Hope is an adorable place, especially for people who abhor the cramped feel of cities with high population density. However, it is still susceptible to unfortunate events such as flooding, like many other locations in the United States. In fact, in a span of only twenty months, the borough of New Hope in Bucks County, Pennsylvania experienced three major floods. While the string of flooding incidents is more of an exceptional case rather than a common scenario, residents and visitors alike should still be vigilant to minimize the impact brought by flood.

Water damage and its causes

Water damage in New Hope PA is not unheard of, particularly if the time referred to is between September of 2004 and June 2006. This is when the three flooding incidents happened. In the April 2005 flooding, the causes were not only heavy rains and melting of snow. There were also administrative mishaps such as lack of flood control plan and minimal storm runoff policies. While the latter causes can be remedied through sound policies, the same cannot be said with acts of nature. Additionally, even with the absence of storms, water damage can still happen due to home maintenance negligence or accidents.

What to do when flooding happens

Should flooding occur, assess the situation carefully and move to a safer place if needed or advised by authorities. Shut down all electrical connections, as well as gas valves. Enter the premises only when authorities or your trusted water damage New Hope PA contractor says it is okay.

You may think that opening doors and windows is good to let out water and dissipate moldy smell, but it may cause more damages in the structure. The wood may swell permanently and you won't be able to shut these anymore.

There are cases when you can do flood cleanup yourself or assist in the process, but some situations require only the knowledge and technical expertise of professionals. An example is when sewage backup is present. Sewage carries many organisms that are detrimental to people's health. Your contractor is equipped with high-end tools to do an efficient job. Trust that they also have generators in case your main power source is not safe to use.

Notes on insurance programs and policies

Insurance is one thing that can greatly alleviate a devastating experience. New Hope residents are fortunate because it is one of the communities that participate in the NFIP or National Flood Insurance Program of the United States. These communities implement NFIP guidelines to mitigate the damages caused by flood. In return, home and business owners and even tenants can purchase flood insurance from NFIP.

Buying a policy is recommended, whether it is from NFIP or a private insurance company. Make sure that you read and understand the fine print, though. For example, your policy can only take effect after a certain number of days. In NFIP, for example, it takes 30 days from date of purchase for the policy to take effect. Another important thing to keep in mind is that you may need additional riders. To illustrate, damages from flood may be covered, but not those from sewage backup. Perhaps lost jewelry or damaged paintings are secured, but only up to certain amounts.