Tile flooring is an economical and long-term choice for high-traffic areas, emitting no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like carpet or hardwood flooring does.
Floodwater damage to tile floors can damage them significantly; to know whether or not your homeowner’s insurance will cover replacement after flood damage occurs is crucial for knowing your options. Here’s how.
1. Water Damage
Water can do extensive damage to any building in many ways. It can stain floors, discolor walls and warp wood while staining appliances and furniture by causing cracking and breaking. Furthermore, its presence promotes mold growth while weakening its structure – no wonder water is considered one of the most destructive forces in nature – it only takes seconds before its destructive power takes hold on your property!
Water damage, whether from leaky pipes or natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, heavy rainfalls or storm surges, is always devastating to homes and businesses alike. The longer untreated water remains within homes and businesses, the worse its damage will become.
Finding out the extent of damage may seem challenging, but it’s essential that it be assessed immediately so it can be addressed accordingly. Hiring a professional restoration company will help assess and address it appropriately. They can assess its scope while suggesting steps for repair or restoration as soon as possible.
Insurance companies typically cover damages caused by flooding and other natural disasters, as well as restoration and repair costs of water damaged flooring. Before making a decision about your own policy or contacting an insurance agent regarding specific cases, however, it’s wise to read your homeowner’s policy thoroughly and discuss specifics regarding each instance with them.
Your insurance may cover various forms of water damage depending on its severity. There are three categories to consider in such instances:
Categorically clean water does not pose any threat to human health and includes water from broken supply lines and malfunctioning appliances like bathtubs, sinks, and washing machines.
Category 2 water contains contaminants that may lead to illness if consumed, such as wastewater from sewage systems and overflowing toilets. Category 3 water can contain hazardous chemicals and bacteria which pose an immediate health threat that could result in serious illness and even death.
When installed according to industry standards, your tile flooring should not be affected by flooding or other natural disasters; especially if it was installed prior to an event that caused it.
2. Structural Damage
Flood waters can create more than cosmetic issues – they can also damage structures. Repairs to these structural damages often include extensive replacement of materials as well as costly repairs that will likely need professional help to be completed correctly.
Structural damage refers to any impairment to a building’s foundation, load-bearing walls, roof, floors or support beams that compromise its safety and function, such as leaky roofs or damaged floor joists. Such harm must be repaired immediately as any disruption to these parts can wreak havoc with its function requiring costly repair or rebuilding efforts. Structural damage is an integral legal concept that plays an essential role in property law, construction contracts, insurance claims and real estate transactions and it is crucial that property owners, contractors, insurers and legal professionals understand its significance for success in all these fields.
One sure sign of structural damage is a large crack running from center of a room or doorway to corner, often accompanied by sagging ceiling or wall, wood framing that has become wet or decayed, as well as wet wood structures such as those that flood. Therefore, it’s crucial that any wood structures flooded by flooding be thoroughly evaluated to make sure that they are completely dry before proceeding with repairs or renovation.
Under flood-prone surfaces, any tile installation must be carefully scrutinized to ensure it has not fused with wood and is secure or loose or falling apart. A hollow sound when tapping on the floor could indicate moisture has reached the adhesive and begun weakening it, and needs to be taken seriously as an indicator that moisture has reached it and weakening it further.
If a tile floor has been repaired and re-grouted by a restoration contractor, evidence must be presented as proof that new grout was installed without altering or harming its surface in any way. Sometimes this proof will satisfy an insurance company’s requirement that repairs or replacement costs be covered by their policyholder, while in other instances they will reject it altogether and force them to bear these expenses themselves.
3. Mold and Bacteria
Mold, mildew and bacteria quickly proliferate during and after floods, producing toxic gases which contaminate surfaces, making them unsafe for touch. Furthermore, their release of chemicals may aggravate existing health conditions as well as cause respiratory irritation. Breathing these organisms directly may also result in skin or eye irritation.
While “mold” may be used interchangeably with terms such as “fungus” and “bacteria,” these organisms differ significantly. While fungi tend to flourish in damp environments and can often be mistaken for bacteria, their own unique characteristics distinguish them. Fungi are typically microscopic organisms found in soil, compost piles, mulch piles, wood chips, pet droppings and pet urine samples – typically spread through ventilation systems, dehumidifiers/air conditioners/window condensation or damp bathrooms etc.
Mold relies on three components to flourish: oxygen, food source (cellulose based food source such as wood pulp) and moisture. If any one of these elements are removed or humidity levels reduced to control moisture levels, its growth will cease. In flooded buildings this is why drying and ventilation must begin immediately following flooding events.
Though mold may be unsightly and smelly, its more serious problems lie with its effects on human health and damage it causes to materials it colonizes. Studies have indicated that exposure to mold may trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments in humans; while some symptoms could be attributable to chemical releases when cleaning mold-colonized surfaces or mycotoxins released by certain types of mold (see our list of toxic mold species here).
When handling flood-contaminated materials, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves, pants and shoes, along with a face mask for best results. If an item cannot be thoroughly cleaned prior to disposal as it could contain bacteria, mycotoxins or other forms of contamination. Furthermore, any wounds caused by dealing with such material should be assessed by medical personnel to determine whether a booster tetanus vaccination should be given or not.
4. Debris
Tile flooring is an aesthetically pleasing, resilient choice that adds color, character, and charm to your home’s floors. Installing new tile floors is one of the quickest and easiest ways to increase its value and curb appeal – one of the fastest home improvement projects!
At its core, debris refers to any material that has been dismantled and scattered about. It may also refer to any debris left in its wake after natural disaster or accident; typically composed of bits and pieces left unwantingly behind or unwanted by its previous owner.
After a hurricane, individuals often find themselves cleaning up tons of fallen debris caused by strong winds. This debris may include everything from broken glass and furniture pieces to human remains and even human bodies.
Geologically speaking, geologic debris refers to large rock fragments left by glaciers or mudflows; as well as volcanic ash or lave debris.
Although most people appreciate the look of tile floors, some don’t enjoy walking on hard and cold surfaces. Luckily, you can easily add area rugs to soften up their feel.
Clean and maintain a tile floor by regularly sweeping and mopping for maximum beauty. Seal it every five years to protect it against dirt, moisture and contaminants; rug are highly recommended to soften any impact caused by children or pets’ feet on tiles; purchasing extra tiles to quickly replace broken or worn down ones is also wise as this will extend their longevity as long as possible.