Water Damage vs. Flood Damage: What’s the Difference?

You may think all the damage that water can cause to your home is the same, but flood damage and water damage are actually very different. Knowing how they differ can help you understand what to expect when you’re dealing with either water damage or flood damage in your home. Our guide explores some key differences between the two to help you identify which one you have.

Water Damage vs. Flood Damage: Key Differences

These two types of damage may seem interchangeable, but there are some important differences. Water damage originates inside your home and is normally included in insurance coverage, while flood damage comes from exterior, natural sources and is often only covered by separate flood insurance. The two also differ in the types of damage caused, prevention methods, and restoration specifics.

Differences in Origin

While both water damage and flood damage are caused by water, where that water originates makes all the difference. Causes of water damage include burst or leaky pipes, roof leaks, plumbing issues, faulty appliances, and more. Water damage can originate from overhead, in the walls, or on the floor, but the damage is caused by conditions in your home.

Flood damage, on the other hand, originates from outside your home when water makes its way in. Flood damage can be caused by natural disasters, heavy rain leading to ground flooding, overflowing bodies of water like rivers or ponds, or any other natural circumstance that leads to too much groundwater accumulation.

Damage Differences

There’s a lot of overlap in how water damage and flood damage can affect your home—they can both lead to ruined flooring and walls, saturated items, and mold growth—but there are a few differences. Since flood damage originates from groundwater, you’ll see more damage in your basement and your foundation. Signs of basement water damage include standing water, wall cracks, and sinking concrete.

Water damage that originates inside your home can start in your ceilings or between the walls, so your interior structural elements often bear the brunt of the damage. You’re also less likely to see exterior damage than flooding since the water is starting inside rather than outside. 

When your basement floods, knowing whether it’s from exterior flooding or interior causes can help you know who to call for water damage.

Prevention Differences

You can’t prevent Mother Nature from creating conditions that lead to floods, but you can take some steps to minimize damage to your home. Ensuring your yard is graded properly, installing a sump pump, waterproofing your basement, and elevating your water heater can all help minimize flood damage.

There’s a lot you can do to prevent water damage within your home. Promptly repair any plumbing leaks, have your roof inspected annually and repair any damage, keep your gutters clean, and have your HVAC system serviced regularly. By addressing the most common causes of water damage, you can reduce your risk of something going very wrong.

Differences in Insurance Coverage

Wondering if homeowners insurance covers water damage? It depends. Most insurance policies will cover sudden and accidental water damage from something like a burst pipe but may not pay claims that result from negligence or regular wear and tear. Flood insurance is not included in most insurance policies—you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance rider or policy to cover flood damage.

Restoration Differences

One main difference in the restoration process for water damage and flood damage is who’s paying for it. Flood damage will be out of your own pocket unless you have flood insurance, while your insurance company may cut a check to pay water damage restoration costs. Flood damage can cause significant structural issues, so hire a water damage restoration company with experience in restoring flood-damaged properties if you’ve experienced flooding. A local water damage restoration pro can assess the type and extent of the water damage or flood damage in your home to ensure it’s restored back to its original condition.