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Water. It’s essential for life, but when it infiltrates where it shouldn’t, it can become a truly destructive force. From warping beautiful hardwood floors and crumbling drywall to jeopardizing vital documents and sensitive electronics, the aftermath of water damage can be significant and stressful.

At Advance Restoration, we understand the disruption and worry that unexpected water intrusion can cause. That’s why we want to shed light on some of the most frequent culprits behind these unwelcome events, along with some practical advice to help you keep your property dry and protected.

1. The Silent Saboteur: Aging Plumbing and Corrosion

If your home or business features older construction with copper or steel pipes, your plumbing system might be at a higher risk than you think. Over time, these materials can succumb to rust and corrosion. This internal buildup can not only restrict water flow but also weaken the structural integrity of the pipes themselves. As the rust takes hold, it erodes the pipe walls, eventually leading to pinhole leaks or even significant bursts.

Pro Tip for Prevention: Think of a plumbing tune-up like a regular check-up for your car. Having a qualified plumber inspect your pipes every 2 to 3 years can make a world of difference. They can ensure connections are secure, identify early signs of corrosion, and advise on necessary maintenance to keep your system in top shape.

2. The Temperature Tango: When Extremes Lead to Trouble

We often associate frozen pipes with harsh winter climates, and for good reason. When temperatures plummet, the water inside pipes can freeze and expand, creating immense pressure that can cause them to crack or burst. However, it’s important to realize that extreme temperature changes – even in warmer regions – can also put stress on your plumbing. Rapid shifts can cause materials to contract and expand at different rates, potentially leading to leaks.

Pro Tip for Prevention: Be mindful of your hot water settings. Excessively high temperatures can actually weaken your pipes over time. Additionally, taking the time to insulate exposed pipes, especially in unheated areas like basements or crawl spaces, can provide crucial protection against temperature fluctuations.

3. The Ground Beneath Your Feet: Natural Foundation Settling

The very ground your property rests on can sometimes contribute to water damage. Over time, the natural settling of a building’s foundation is almost inevitable. While often a gradual process, this movement can unfortunately lead to cracks forming in foundation walls. These cracks can then become pathways for groundwater to seep into basements and crawl spaces, resulting in dampness, mold growth, and even significant flooding. Furthermore, this settling can also put stress on nearby pipes, potentially causing them to weaken, crack, or even break.

Pro Tip for Prevention: Make it a habit to visually inspect your foundation walls at least once a year. Look for any new or widening cracks. If you spot anything concerning, it’s wise to consult with a foundation expert. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent minor cracks from escalating into major water intrusion problems.

Dealing with water damage can be overwhelming, but understanding the common causes is the first step towards prevention. If you do find yourself facing the aftermath of a leak or flood, remember that the experts at Advance Restoration are here to help. We have the experience and expertise to assess the damage, implement effective restoration solutions, and get your property back to its pre-loss condition. Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional assistance.

Start immediately at top pay!

Advance Restoration is hiring Lead Technicians and General Laborers in Clinton Township, Michigan for restoration jobs. Join one of the most trusted disaster recovery and restoration teams in Southeast Michigan and in the industry.

Proudly, we offer careers in restoration, to the most qualified, dedicated crews in the business. Consequently, everyone from our office staff to on-site recovery experts are customer satisfaction driven. Incomparably, the most compassionate water damage and restoration company hiring in southeast Michigan. Learn more about our current disaster restoration jobs by visiting our careers page on Indeed to apply immediately. Or, you can simply call us at 877-363-7462 now for a quick chat to see if we are a good fit for you.

Why Work at Advance Restoration?

Advance Restoration is proud to offer a number of competitive benefits to our employees. We feel benefits are just as important as pay, even more so for some. Hence, here is a list of our benefits.

• 401(K) w/Company Match
• Healthcare Benefits w/Pediatric Dental
• Company Vehicle/Truck
• Company Cell Phones
• Company Bonus Opportunities
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Time

Furthermore, if you’re looking to join a devoted disaster restoration team as a Lead Restoration Technician in southeast Michigan, or a Cleaning Tech we’re the company for you! While we are hiring in Clinton Township, we service all of Southeast Michigan.

And so, if you are tired of working for big companies who don’t care about your future. We are family owned small company that is growing, with plenty of room to advance your career. 

Currently, positions at Advance Restoration can be found here on our careers page or apply directly on our applications page at ZipRecruiter. In addition, you can simply call us at 877-363-7462 for a brief and casual phone interview.

Toxic mold can wreck havoc on your home and create fear in the homeowner about mold and home insurance coverage. Coverage often comes down to the source of moisture. When moisture goes unchecked, mold can grow and become widespread. Are you covered?

Homeowners Insurance and Mold

More often than not, home owners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by mold, fungi, and bacteria, says Spencer Yaklin, CEO of Advance Restoration, and property damage specialist. Coverage comes down to the source of the moisture causing the mold. It is recommended that every property owner review their policy, especially as it relates to water damage. Keep your eye out for language pertaining to mold exclusions or limitations. If it is still unclear, call your agent for clarity.

In most cases, if the mold is present due to a sudden or accidental covered disaster such as a burst pipe—that would warrant coverage, says Yaklin. The mold itself would not be the reason for the claim, but technically, the purse pipe is. Some claims are more apt to be rejected if mold is caused by negligence of home maintenance such as long-term exposure to moisture or repeated water leaks.

Approximately 22% of all home owners insurance claims result from “water damage and freezing”, according to the Insurance Information Institute. III puts the cost of the average mold claim between $15,000 and $30,000 as told in their 2003 white paper on mold. That is five times the average non-mold claims by homeowners during that time.

Most states adopted limitations on mold coverage after a rush of mold claims in the early 2000s. A typical home owners policy may cover between $1,000 and $10,000 of mold remediation and repair, says Spencer. And most policies do not cover mold as a result of flood damage. Home owners would need a separate flood insurance policy averaging about $540 per year via the National Flood Insurance Program.

As an add-on, it may be possible to purchase a mold rider to your current home owners policy. Riders offer additional coverage, the cost and personal risk-tolerance are driving factors behind any decision regarding riders. Ask your agent for information.

Newer homes are less susceptible to water damage as are older homes. Older homes located in humid climates where mold thrives will likely cost more to insure than those constructed in dryer zones. Homes built within the past five years or so are more likely to be made with mold-resistant wood, drywall and paints.

Prevention is Key

Keeping mold at bay is the surest way to avoid having to make a claim in the first place. To protect the value of your home you must prevent mold by eliminating the source of the mold—moisture. To prevent mold growth , we suggest taking the following steps:

• Keep humidity low by using air conditioners, exhaust fans, and dehumidifiers.
• Inspect under sinks and behind toilets regularly for lose fittings or leaks
• Use paints that contain mold inhibitors when painting
• Make regular maintenance checks on your roof and gutters to avoid backups and leaks
• Don’t use carpeting in moist areas like bathrooms and basements
• Remove excess moisture or water from soft goods such as upholstery and carpets within 48 hours of a water disaster

If you find yourself a victim of mold, hire a professional restoration service. Remember, where there is mold there is moisture. A professional will root out the source of moisture, clean up mold properly so that it doesn’t return.

You may be stunned to learn what your Homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover

Basic homeowners insurance policies cover your home and its contents if damaged or ruined. Hence, here is the complete list:

• Fire
• Lightning
• Hail (dependent on area)
• Windstorm (except in hurricane zones)
• Smoke
• Vandalism (excluded by some policies)
• Theft
• Explosion
• Volcanic eruption
• Riots
• Civil Commotion
• Vehicles (and airborne projectiles)
• Aircraft (and airborne projectiles)

Some states don’t sell these basic policies. As a result, ssome require upgrades to cover more damages.

The Dreaded Homeowners Insurance Upgrade

An upgraded policy or HO-2 adds additional protection to your home and its contents. Subsequently, the HO-1 covers all of the items listed above, with these additions:

• Weight of snow, ice, or sleet
• Floods from appliances, plumbing, fire-protection sprinkler systems, and HVAC mishaps. Electronics such as computers are not a covered item.
• Glass breakage
• Abrupt collapse or caving of building

And so, this list applies also to homeowner’s insurance for condominiums or co-ops and is commonly referred to as HO-6 rather than HO-2.

The aforementioned lists are exactly what is covered on HO-1, HO-2, and HO-6. Consequently, if there’s a world apocalypse and that’s not on the list…it’s not covered.

But wait! There’s always HO-3 Homeowner’s Insurance

HO-3 is the most comprehensive form of homeowner’s insurance coverage. Accordingly, HO-3 covers just about everything you can imagine. In what follows, there are some specific exceptions:

• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Wars
• Nuclear accidents
• Landslides
• Mudslides
• Sinkholes

The HO-3 policy also does not cover world apocalypse (War) but it does cover a lot.

What isn’t Covered by Homeowners Insurance

No one policy covers every possible type of damage that can destroy your property. Here’s what typical homeowners’ policies will not cover:

• Improper or neglected maintenance
• Hurricanes
• Floods
• Earthquakes
• Mudslides
• Landslides
• Sinkholes
• War
• Nuclear accidents
• Sewer backups
• Sump pump failure
• Ground movement and holes caused by mining
• Pollution

Additional policies can be purchased to cover some, but not all, of these disasters. Even if insurance was available for the most common disasters in your area, you may not qualify if your property has distinct features. These features cause your home to be more vulnerable such as a thatched roof in an area where wildfires are the norm.

Additional Items Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Here are four more items that are covered:

• Landscaping, hardscaping and outbuildings (up to 10% of your policy, 5% for plants)
• Damage or loss of personal belongings (laptops, computers, jewelry, etc.)
• Temporary living expenses if your home is unlivable (hotel bills and meals)
• Injuries or accidents at home (slip and fall, dog bites, etc.)

What if you have an Older Home?

That’s what HO-8 is for. 

When your home is older, and it is no longer reasonable to assume you could replace it to its original status. HO-8 steps in. Items such as electrical that could not be replaced as original and meet current code requirements.

A HO-8 policy covers many of the same disasters as the basic HO-1 policy. HO-8 will only pay repair costs to market value not replacement value.

It is possible to purchase a “Law and Ordinance” policy that covers the cost of rebuilding using current building codes.

That about covers the ins and outs of homeowner’s policies. If you experience damage to your home or property and you are not sure if you are covered under your homeowner’s policy, give Advance Restoration a call at 866-465-2409. One of our experts will walk you through your policy’s coverage.

Searching for the best restoration company in Southeast Michigan?

If you suffering from water damage from flooding, ice daming, storming, or plumbing problems in Oakland County, Michigan? Advance Restoration is the best restoration company near Oakland County. They are a full-service, one- stop restoration company for water, fire, wind, mold and contents.

Advance Restoration offers comprehensive restoration services for all your restoration repairs. With 24/7 response time,  experts will respond quickly with the experience and equipment necessary to minimize the long-term damage to your industrial, commercial, or residential property. From the initial damage assessment to drying the structure and packing out its contents for secure storage and restoration. Advance can help through every step of the water damage restoration process.

With over 15 years in business and decades of practical experience in the field, this IICRC certified firm has what it takes to get the job done. Their stellar reputation speaks for itself. Advance’ restoration experts are IICRC certified—the gold standard for disaster restoration cleanup in the industry.

Rest assured the job will be done with expertise and care by the best restoration company in Oakland County and all of Southeast Michigan.

• Available 24/7, 365 Days of the Year for Emergency Service
• Quick Response Times
• Quality and Satisfaction
• Trained and IICRC Certified Experts
• Advanced Technology

If you are searching for “the best water damage restoration company near me?” Look no further, call toll free at 810-356-5923 for help or contact Advance Restoration today to set up an appointment. We offer fast response times throughout Macomb and Oakland County, Michigan.

While you wait for our team to arrive, follow these Water Damage Tips to mitigate the impact as much as possible.