Water Damage Due To Leaking Roof

Contact your condo association to let them know of any water damage that originated outside your unit whether it was due to a leaky roof or a neighbor s overflowing washing machine.

Water damage due to leaking roof. Even if the roof leak is caused by a. A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover water damage and roof leaks unless they re the result of gross negligence on your part. Water damage caused by seepage coming in from cracks in the foundation or at the exterior of the house allowing water to enter your home. According to the insurance information institute homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs if for instance your drywall is drenched after your water heater ruptures or an upstairs pipe bursts and water saturates the ceiling below.

Roof leaks are generally covered as well. In other words homeowners insurance companies will not pay for leaky roofs and any resulting mold growth if those leaks are caused by poor workmanship or lack of maintenance. In the photo you can still see signs of an ice dam. This roof leaks during the snowy part of winter and during storms in the summer certainly due to poor flashing.

Coverage for water damage roof leaks caused by construction deficiencies design issues or structural defects are usually not covered. Thankfully most homeowners insurance policies cover roof leaks as long as it s the result of sudden and accidental water damage or an uncontrollable act of nature. Flashing tiles shingles or deteriorating parts on the roof that indicated signs of needed repair. However you won t be protected against a flood from the outside of your home.

An ice dam occurs when snow melts and the water freezes when it hits the colder edges of your roof. Plumbing faucets or pipes leaking over time causing damage to the walls ceilings or floors. Examples of roof leak or roof damage claims that insurance will cover include. Because ice dams occur along the edges of the roof the ceiling damage or leaking is often near the edge of the room or may even appear on an exterior wall since the water may be dripping directly down into the walls.

In the attic you may find damp and soggy insulation. The soffit that meets the roof is one of the toughest areas to waterproof. Hail and wind damage. Accordingly in most cases when water damage is sustained as a result of a flood windstorm roof or window failure or even a leak emanating from an upstairs unit the roof or an exterior wall.