Water Damage vs Flood Damage — What’s the Difference in NC

Many homeowners in North Carolina are surprised to
learn that water damage and flood damage are treated
very differently by insurance companies. Understanding
the difference between the two can save you thousands
of dollars and prevent major headaches when filing
an insurance claim.

Here is everything you need to know about water
damage vs flood damage in NC.

What is Water Damage?

Water damage refers to damage caused by water that
comes from inside your home or from a sudden
accidental event. Common causes of water damage
include:

– Burst or leaking pipes
– Overflowing washing machines or dishwashers
– Leaking water heaters
– Roof leaks from rain
– Air conditioning unit leaks
– Sewage backups

Water damage is typically covered by standard
homeowner’s insurance policies. If you experience
water damage in your Raleigh NC home call One Team
Restoration immediately at (919) 909-1096 for 24/7
emergency response.

What is Flood Damage?

Flood damage refers to damage caused by water that
comes from an external natural source such as:

– Rising rivers or creeks
– Storm surge from hurricanes
– Heavy rainfall that causes surface flooding
– Overflow from lakes or ponds

Flood damage is NOT covered by standard homeowner’s
insurance policies. To be covered for flood damage
you need a separate flood insurance policy typically
through the National Flood Insurance Program or a
private flood insurer.

Key Differences Between Water and Flood Damage

Understanding these key differences is critical for
NC homeowners:

Water damage comes from inside the home or above.
Flood damage comes from outside the home and affects
multiple properties in the area. Water damage is
covered by homeowner’s insurance. Flood damage
requires separate flood insurance.

Does My NC Home Need Flood Insurance?

North Carolina experiences frequent severe weather
including hurricanes, tropical storms, and heavy
rainfall that can cause significant flooding. Areas
near rivers, creeks, and low lying areas in the
Triangle are particularly vulnerable.

Even if your home is not in a designated flood zone
approximately 25% of flood insurance claims come
from properties outside high risk flood areas.
Talking to your insurance agent about flood coverage
is highly recommended for all NC homeowners.

 What to Do When You Have Water or Flood Damage

Regardless of whether you have water damage or flood
damage the steps to take immediately are the same:

– Ensure everyone is safe first
– Document all damage with photos and video
– Call your insurance company immediately
– Call a professional restoration company

One Team Restoration responds 24/7 to both water
damage and flood damage emergencies throughout
Raleigh NC and the entire Triangle area.

How One Team Restoration Can Help

One Team Restoration has extensive experience
handling both water damage and flood damage
restoration in Raleigh NC. Our certified team
provides:

– Emergency water extraction
– Structural drying and dehumidification
– Mold prevention treatment
– Full property restoration
– Direct insurance billing

We work with all major insurance companies and can
help you navigate the claims process whether you
have water damage or flood damage.

Why Choose One Team Restoration

One Team Restoration has been serving the Triangle
since 2014 as a local family owned and operated
restoration company. We understand NC weather and
the unique challenges it presents for homeowners
and businesses in our area.

Our certified team is available 24