How to sell a water-damaged house in Oklahoma City
When people think of water damage in a house, flooding from severe storms may come to mind. It’s true that flash flooding occurs in Oklahoma City and results in some flooded homes, but it’s more common that water accidents occur in homes due to pipes bursting, damaged water heaters, roof leaks, and unattended sinks and tubs overflowing.
Some water damage occurs that is hidden—for example, a small water pipe leak in a wall or under the house, or long-term condensation issues in poorly vented bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms. These events can cause damage to floors, walls, subfloors, and foundations. Knowing what steps to take when you have water damage is important. It can prevent further and larger issues over time. Let’s look at how to handle water damage and sell your house.
What should you do if water enters your home?
Since even a small amount of water can cause a lot of house damage, it’s important to react quickly so that further damage is minimized. We’ve outlined some steps to take if you discover water in your home:
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Act quickly: The first step is to try to stop more water from entering your house. If the water is from torrential rains, place blankets in front of doors and other areas where water is seeping in. If water is rising, move valuables to an upper floor, raise furniture off the floor with whatever is handy, and cut off electricity in the house at the breaker box. If water is coming in through the ceiling due to a damaged roof, cover furniture with plastic and try to contain the water in buckets and pots on the floor. If you have a burst pipe, immediately turn off the water supply at the main shutoff valve.
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Contact your insurance agent: Get ahold of your homeowners insurance agent as soon as the immediate water threat is contained. Your agent will let you know the next steps to take, tell you what your insurance policy covers, and give you advice.
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Remove the water: Use rags, mops, fans, shop-vacs, and dehumidifiers to remove water and remaining dampness. If there are several inches of water, be sure to wear rubber boots and gloves. If the amount of water is significant, the Oklahoma City fire department can help with pumping water out.
Examine the damage
When the water has been removed, do an examination to document the damage. Take photos with your phone for documentation. Your insurance agent will probably send a professional to look at it. If not, hire someone yourself and they’ll give you a report. Water damage inspectors have special tools such as moisture meters to investigate what the naked eye can’t see.
Flood insurance in Oklahoma City
Basic homeowners insurance policies generally don’t cover flooding damage. But if you’re in an Oklahoma City flood plain area, your mortgage company will require you to buy separate flood insurance.
Sometimes, areas flood that normally wouldn’t, due to unusual weather or blocked drains. If you don’t live in a flood plain and don’t have flood insurance, there are federal programs that can offer help, particularly the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Mold remediation and restoration services
Mold growth is a common problem after a water event. Moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for mold, and it can grow very quickly. Mildew and mold can cause even more damage to your house and are a serious health threat.
For areas larger than a bathtub, a professional mold remediation service is a good idea. Untreated, mold can cause structural damage to the house and health problems to people who live there. According to HomeBlue, mold restoration services in Oklahoma City charge from $12 to $24 per square foot.
Check with your insurance agent to see what restoration services are covered by your policy. You may need to have some restoration work done that requires permits and professionals. Keep all receipts, not only for insurance purposes but also for when you decide to sell your house. You will have to disclose to your buyer that the house has had water damage and that you’ve had it fixed. The receipts will be helpful.
Selling a house with water damage to We Buy Ugly Houses®
If your house has significant water damage, or damage that you don’t want to deal with, contact We Buy Ugly Houses® in Oklahoma City. We can help because we buy houses “as is,” meaning in their current condition. We launched our house-buying business in 1996, and in the years since, we’ve bought over 150,000 houses in all kinds of conditions and in many different types of situations. We believe in providing excellent, personalized service, and our seller reviews reflect our strong work ethic and commitment to seller satisfaction.
Simply reach out to us for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our friendly Oklahoma City property specialists. We’ll take a tour of your house and answer your questions. We can sometimes provide a fast offer on the same day. If you accept, we can sometimes close in as little as 3 weeks. If you need more time, we’ll do our best to arrange that. We charge no commissions, have no hidden fees, and pay typical closing costs, providing sellers with a convenient, smooth transaction. Our offers are below market value in exchange for speed and convenience.
Contact us to learn how we can help you with the sale of your water-damaged house in Oklahoma City.
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice.
