Groundwater seepage is a topic that is often overlooked by homeowners. In this article, we’ll discuss why groundwater seepage is a problem, how it can damage your home, and what you can do to protect your property.
Why Groundwater Seepage is a Problem
Groundwater seepage occurs when water from the ground infiltrates your home through cracks or porous walls in your basement or foundation. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, such as heavy rain, melting snow, or high water tables. If left untreated, groundwater seepage can cause significant damage to your home, including:
- Structural damage to your foundation and walls
- Mold growth and indoor air quality issues
- Damage to personal property stored in your basement
- Reduced property value
That’s why it’s important to take proactive measures to protect your home from groundwater seepage.
Remediation Techniques for Groundwater Seepage
There are several remediation techniques you can use to prevent groundwater seepage from damaging your home. These include:
- Waterproofing your basement or foundation walls
- Installing a sump pump to remove excess water from your basement
- Adding French drains to direct water away from your home
- Improving your landscaping to ensure proper drainage
Each of these techniques has its own benefits and drawbacks, depending on the severity of your groundwater seepage problem. It’s important to consult with a professional contractor to determine which approach is best for your home.
Insurance Endorsements for Groundwater Seepage
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by groundwater seepage. However, some insurance carriers offer endorsements that can help protect your property from these types of losses.
At The McBride Agency, we work with carriers that offer groundwater seepage as an endorsement. This means that if your home is damaged by groundwater seepage, you’ll be covered for the cost of repairs, up to the limits of your policy. We also recommend adding an endorsement for sump pump malfunctions, as this is another common cause of groundwater seepage that may not be covered by standard policies.
Claims Examples
To illustrate the importance of protecting your home from groundwater seepage, here are a few claims examples we’ve seen in our experience as insurance agents:
- Mary’s basement flooded during a heavy rainstorm, causing significant damage to her personal property and foundation. Fortunately, Mary had added a groundwater seepage endorsement to her policy, which covered the cost of repairs and replacement items.
- John’s sump pump malfunctioned during a power outage, resulting in water damage to his basement walls and flooring. Although John had a standard homeowners policy, he had not added an endorsement for sump pump malfunctions, and therefore was not covered for the cost of repairs.
- Sarah noticed a musty odor in her basement and discovered mold growth on her walls. She filed a claim with her insurance company, but was denied coverage because the mold was caused by groundwater seepage, which was not covered by her policy.
Don’t let these types of losses happen to you. Make sure you have the right mix of coverages for your unique needs, including endorsements for groundwater seepage and sump pump malfunctions. If you have any questions about this or other coverage questions, feel free to book a call with our team or import your policies for a full review using the links below.
Calendly
Meet with our team of experts.
Canopy Connect
Securely import your insurance information.
