PDA

View Full Version : Water damage from neighbors mulch installation - company I can call to assess damage


UptownBee
08-30-2021, 10:04 AM
Hi everyone,

Our patio villa sustained water damage when a company installed so much mulch in our neighbors flower bed it was above our siding. This forced water into our patio villa after a heavy rain. The reason I'm posting is I'm looking for a company that can assess the unseen damage. We were able to soak up the visible water on the carpet and the middle of the kitchen floor, but in terms of water damage under the siding and behind the kitchen cabinets, we aren't able to get at those.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good company that can assess that damage and determine if there is mold.

Thank you.

Orvil
08-30-2021, 10:28 AM
Call your insurance agent. They will have the name of a remediation company. If it came into the house and got behind the drywall, you have mold. It's going to be a big issue. You will need a professional remediation company to deal with fall out. Start taking pictures for the claim.

Velvet
08-30-2021, 10:48 AM
If this damage happened to me I’d have D’Angelo, home inspector, to look at it; 352-250-7818. I bet he’d have some suggestions for you how to proceed too.

UptownBee
08-30-2021, 10:55 AM
Thanks, we did have them do the yearly inspection so we'll give them a call. Now the landscape company is trying to say it's a grading issue....so we called The Villages and of course they say it's the landscapers fault.

UptownBee
08-30-2021, 10:58 AM
We're calling our Agent now because the landscaper (which is one of the major players in The Villages) is trying to blame the grading and when we called The Villages they just say the grading is fine (without actually inspecting it). We wanted to avoid a claim and potential increase in premium but we definitely need someone interested in our best interests at this point.

Topspinmo
08-30-2021, 11:25 AM
I be looking for lawyer.

Velvet
08-30-2021, 11:27 AM
If insurance has to pay for the damages, I assume they’d be using their lawyers against the landscaper to get their costs back. And insurance companies generally have their own army of lawyers.

Retired gal
08-30-2021, 12:24 PM
Orvil is correct; your insurance company should cover the damage and inspect for any mold remediation needed. If they pay for repairs, they will surrogate against the landscaper to recoup their money.

I think you need to speak to the ARC. There is something in the restrictions that state:
B. IMPROVEMENTS SHALL NOT BLOCK, INTERRUPT OR REDIRECT ANY EXISTING DRAINAGE FLOW.
C. IMPROVEMENTS SHALL NOT CAUSE ADDITIONAL DRAINAGE FLOW ON ADJACENT PROPERTIES.
D. PROPERTY OWNER IS LIABLE FOR ANY RESULTING BLOCKAGE, INTERRUPTION, OR REDIRECTION OF
EXISTING DRAINAGE FLOW, ANY ADDITIONAL DRAINAGE FLOW OR ANY TYPE OF EASEMENT
ENCROACHMENT(S) ISSUES.
See bottom of page three.

https://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/images/ARC-application.pdf

I expect you can file a complaint with the ARC and have that mulch fixed, avoiding further damage.

Kelevision
08-30-2021, 02:52 PM
Hi everyone,

Our patio villa sustained water damage when a company installed so much mulch in our neighbors flower bed it was above our siding. This forced water into our patio villa after a heavy rain. The reason I'm posting is I'm looking for a company that can assess the unseen damage. We were able to soak up the visible water on the carpet and the middle of the kitchen floor, but in terms of water damage under the siding and behind the kitchen cabinets, we aren't able to get at those.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good company that can assess that damage and determine if there is mold.

Thank you.

Call your insurance co. Asap. They’ll send someone out.

frtlinr
08-30-2021, 04:59 PM
Take a look at your Homeowner's policy, but I suspect that coverage for damage as a result of this type of water entering your dwelling is excluded. If you, your neighbor, and the landscaper can't come to an agreement, you will likely have to persue the matter in civil court.

DAVES
08-30-2021, 05:00 PM
Hi everyone,

Our patio villa sustained water damage when a company installed so much mulch in our neighbors flower bed it was above our siding. This forced water into our patio villa after a heavy rain. The reason I'm posting is I'm looking for a company that can assess the unseen damage. We were able to soak up the visible water on the carpet and the middle of the kitchen floor, but in terms of water damage under the siding and behind the kitchen cabinets, we aren't able to get at those.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good company that can assess that damage and determine if there is mold.

Thank you.

I would take some pictures so you can show the cause. If, the landscape company removes some or all the mulch, you have no proof.

Siding down too close to the soil level is an invite for termites. That does not sound that it was correctly done in the first place.

DAVES
08-30-2021, 05:17 PM
Thanks, we did have them do the yearly inspection so we'll give them a call. Now the landscape company is trying to say it's a grading issue....so we called The Villages and of course they say it's the landscapers fault.

How truly sad. It is so rare that in any issue someone says it is my fault and I will PAY FOR all damages. "They say," -insist on getting it in writing. Important-are you and the neighbor talking about this or has it devolved into a war? As far as grading. A villa is on a small piece of land. Grading or regrading, not much room to do that.

I am on no ones side in this. I do not have the information as to who is right and who is wrong. Long term, having end well, that will take a great deal of artistic actions on all sides and perhaps some compromise that none of the 3-4 sides will be happy with.

RICH1
08-30-2021, 06:07 PM
Mold, Termites and Future unforeseen issues! You need an Attorney Good luck, sorry to hear about this unfortunate circumstance..

TNGary
08-30-2021, 08:55 PM
There are specific building codes regarding the distance of the grading from the header beam. My last home was 8" but that was up north. Perhaps 6 in TV's. See link below as an example, but prudent to check the codes, my builder was professional enough to regrade to meet the specs. However if the grading was within codes, the landscaper may have dumped X? inches on top of the grading,
Please be so kind as to update this post when determination of culpability has been established as it could impact many other homeowners, thank you
Keep us posted

Link
Siding to soil clearance | Spot On Inspection (https://spotoninspection.com/siding-to-soil-clearance/)

thevillages2013
08-31-2021, 05:17 AM
Hi everyone,

Our patio villa sustained water damage when a company installed so much mulch in our neighbors flower bed it was above our siding. This forced water into our patio villa after a heavy rain. The reason I'm posting is I'm looking for a company that can assess the unseen damage. We were able to soak up the visible water on the carpet and the middle of the kitchen floor, but in terms of water damage under the siding and behind the kitchen cabinets, we aren't able to get at those.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good company that can assess that damage and determine if there is mold.

Thank you.
Ok so you need to take pictures of the exterior and interior of the home then next the mulch needs to be removed immediately so you won’t get flooded again. There are water remediation companies that deal with drying out and repairing damage but you should immediately be running floor fans constantly in there. The carpet should be pulled back from the wall if it is soaked and the kick plates (bottom board on cabinets) can easily be removed so that air can get in there

skippy05
08-31-2021, 05:26 AM
I would highly avoid calling your insurance company regarding this issue. I am talking from personal experience. Any claim or talk of a claim with them will raise your rate to an astronomical amount. They also place you on a black list so that if you try to obtain a policy from another company; that new company will see your name on the list and refuse to insure you for up to 2 more years. Meanwhile, you are stuck on your current (now very high rate) policy! Home insurance should always be regarded as a catastrophic type of thinking, loss when it comes to filing a claim. Do you think filing a claim to recover maybe 15 k of damages is a good idea? Think again. A better way of thinking is I'll only file a claim if the claim need is around 60k or more. YOU pay when you file these small claims....you get their compensation check but then you pay over and over again each time you pay the new higher rate policy. Also, note that your insurance company could care less if you say or think....this claim is "not my fault" (and, therefore would be "nice" and not raise your rates as a result.) Also, note that any claim or even inquiry talk of a claim flags you on the shared insurance company database. Should you try to sell your home over the next couple of years and the prospective buyer tries to obtain an insurance quote....this will cause them to see even the talk of a possible claim and raise RED flags with your prospective buyer as to what happened to this house and do I really still want to purchase it. Why do I know this; again....it happened to me when I was trying to buy a Florida home 3 years ago and when I asked the seller what was this insurance inquiry: The seller said I only called to inquire about a possible claim and did not file one. Next, the seller refused to disclose to me what that inquiry was about, and therefore during my due diligence of the contract I canceled the purchase because I felt the seller was now hiding from me some important facts about the property that was important in my purchasing decision. In summary, I am not saying to never call or file or talk to your insurance company about a claim. I'm saying only do so if you are taking BIG numbers and not small amounts...because this is 'what' the home insurance policy should be regarded as used for.

PugMom
08-31-2021, 05:30 AM
i'd give Doc's Restoration a call for h20 damage. good luck

Girlcopper
08-31-2021, 06:18 AM
I would highly avoid calling your insurance company regarding this issue. I am talking from personal experience. Any claim or talk of a claim with them will raise your rate to an astronomical amount. They also place you on a black list so that if you try to obtain a policy from another company; that new company will see your name on the list and refuse to insure you for up to 2 more years. Meanwhile, you are stuck on your current (now very high rate) policy! Home insurance should always be regarded as a catastrophic type of thinking, loss when it comes to filing a claim. Do you think filing a claim to recover maybe 15 k of damages is a good idea? Think again. A better way of thinking is I'll only file a claim if the claim need is around 60k or more. YOU pay when you file these small claims....you get their compensation check but then you pay over and over again each time you pay the new higher rate policy. Also, note that your insurance company could care less if you say or think....this claim is "not my fault" (and, therefore would be "nice" and not raise your rates as a result.) Also, note that any claim or even inquiry talk of a claim flags you on the shared insurance company database. Should you try to sell your home over the next couple of years and the prospective buyer tries to obtain an insurance quote....this will cause them to see even the talk of a possible claim and raise RED flags with your prospective buyer as to what happened to this house and do I really still want to purchase it. Why do I know this; again....it happened to me when I was trying to buy a Florida home 3 years ago and when I asked the seller what was this insurance inquiry: The seller said I only called to inquire about a possible claim and did not file one. Next, the seller refused to disclose to me what that inquiry was about, and therefore during my due diligence of the contract I canceled the purchase because I felt the seller was now hiding from me some important facts about the property that was important in my purchasing decision. In summary, I am not saying to never call or file or talk to your insurance company about a claim. I'm saying only do so if you are taking BIG numbers and not small amounts...because this is 'what' the home insurance policy should be regarded as used for.
Ahhh. The conspiracy theory ……….

deebrock
08-31-2021, 07:06 AM
Did it happen before the mulch when it rained. If not then it is not a grading problem it is the landscapers problem. Just sayin.

Marine1974
08-31-2021, 07:29 AM
You just said don’t call or file a claim now your saying you never said that . Which is it ? That is what insurance is for regulated by
state law .

Ritagoyer
08-31-2021, 07:48 AM
Thanks, we did have them do the yearly inspection so we'll give them a call. Now the landscape company is trying to say it's a grading issue....so we called The Villages and of course they say it's the landscapers fault.
Take lots of pictures inside and out of the problem BEFORE anything else is done.

Larchap49
08-31-2021, 08:01 AM
Hi everyone,

Our patio villa sustained water damage when a company installed so much mulch in our neighbors flower bed it was above our siding. This forced water into our patio villa after a heavy rain. The reason I'm posting is I'm looking for a company that can assess the unseen damage. We were able to soak up the visible water on the carpet and the middle of the kitchen floor, but in terms of water damage under the siding and behind the kitchen cabinets, we aren't able to get at those.

Do you have any suggestions as to a good company that can assess that damage and determine if there is mold.

Thank you.

The only true and long term fix is to have a French drain between units. Otherwise it will happen again.

HORNET
08-31-2021, 09:18 AM
Contact Community Standards, your neighbor may be in violation of what they did and they may to have it corrected on their dime. Happened to one of the people in our village, it actually ran dirty water into their lanai. Don’t wait too long or you may not be able to have it corrected

KRMACK55
08-31-2021, 09:21 AM
We're calling our Agent now because the landscaper (which is one of the major players in The Villages) is trying to blame the grading and when we called The Villages they just say the grading is fine (without actually inspecting it). We wanted to avoid a claim and potential increase in premium but we definitely need someone interested in our best interests at this point.
Good luck you are entering the maze of crazy town insurance issues

Spalumbos62
08-31-2021, 09:24 AM
Call your insurance agent. They will have the name of a remediation company. If it came into the house and got behind the drywall, you have mold. It's going to be a big issue. You will need a professional remediation company to deal with fall out. Start taking pictures for the claim.

Agree 100%. Eventually their insurance should pay, but don't wait on that, use yours and let them subrogate. Eitherway, act now. Take lots of pics.
Btw....is neighbor being forthright? If so maybe you won't need your ins at all. Good luck with this.

Velvet
08-31-2021, 09:49 AM
I would highly avoid calling your insurance company regarding this issue. I am talking from personal experience. Any claim or talk of a claim with them will raise your rate to an astronomical amount. They also place you on a black list so that if you try to obtain a policy from another company; that new company will see your name on the list and refuse to insure you for up to 2 more years. Meanwhile, you are stuck on your current (now very high rate) policy! Home insurance should always be regarded as a catastrophic type of thinking, loss when it comes to filing a claim. Do you think filing a claim to recover maybe 15 k of damages is a good idea? Think again. A better way of thinking is I'll only file a claim if the claim need is around 60k or more. YOU pay when you file these small claims....you get their compensation check but then you pay over and over again each time you pay the new higher rate policy. Also, note that your insurance company could care less if you say or think....this claim is "not my fault" (and, therefore would be "nice" and not raise your rates as a result.) Also, note that any claim or even inquiry talk of a claim flags you on the shared insurance company database. Should you try to sell your home over the next couple of years and the prospective buyer tries to obtain an insurance quote....this will cause them to see even the talk of a possible claim and raise RED flags with your prospective buyer as to what happened to this house and do I really still want to purchase it. Why do I know this; again....it happened to me when I was trying to buy a Florida home 3 years ago and when I asked the seller what was this insurance inquiry: The seller said I only called to inquire about a possible claim and did not file one. Next, the seller refused to disclose to me what that inquiry was about, and therefore during my due diligence of the contract I canceled the purchase because I felt the seller was now hiding from me some important facts about the property that was important in my purchasing decision. In summary, I am not saying to never call or file or talk to your insurance company about a claim. I'm saying only do so if you are taking BIG numbers and not small amounts...because this is 'what' the home insurance policy should be regarded as used for.

Now if that was true, why would anyone get insurance in the first place?

To me it sounds like you can pay the premiums but don’t dare make a claim! Now how can that be legal? Blacklist you for something you didn’t do? I’d report them to BBB, and social media and everywhere I can think of to make sure everyone knew exactly what they are doing. This is here, you can’t just scam and terrorize people.

But I would not put in a claim for a small amount frequently myself.

newgirl
08-31-2021, 11:36 AM
Sadly they still will raise your rates , and not only on homeowners insurance. I filed a small ( under $5.000) claim and not only did it raise my homeowner but my auto and even my cart. And I have a. 800 credit score

Mrprez
08-31-2021, 11:55 AM
They can do it. I called to discuss filing a claim with my homeowners policy company. No claim was filed. Just before renewal time, I was shopping around for a better rate. I was denied coverage due to having two claims. One was an actual claim and the other was the phone call to discuss a claim.

stadry
08-31-2021, 12:02 PM
agree landowner is responsiblea simple french drain might resolve the issue

GypsyRN
08-31-2021, 12:09 PM
I would highly avoid calling your insurance company regarding this issue. I am talking from personal experience. Any claim or talk of a claim with them will raise your rate to an astronomical amount. They also place you on a black list so that if you try to obtain a policy from another company; that new company will see your name on the list and refuse to insure you for up to 2 more years. Meanwhile, you are stuck on your current (now very high rate) policy! Home insurance should always be regarded as a catastrophic type of thinking, loss when it comes to filing a claim. Do you think filing a claim to recover maybe 15 k of damages is a good idea? Think again. A better way of thinking is I'll only file a claim if the claim need is around 60k or more. YOU pay when you file these small claims....you get their compensation check but then you pay over and over again each time you pay the new higher rate policy. Also, note that your insurance company could care less if you say or think....this claim is "not my fault" (and, therefore would be "nice" and not raise your rates as a result.) Also, note that any claim or even inquiry talk of a claim flags you on the shared insurance company database. Should you try to sell your home over the next couple of years and the prospective buyer tries to obtain an insurance quote....this will cause them to see even the talk of a possible claim and raise RED flags with your prospective buyer as to what happened to this house and do I really still want to purchase it. Why do I know this; again....it happened to me when I was trying to buy a Florida home 3 years ago and when I asked the seller what was this insurance inquiry: The seller said I only called to inquire about a possible claim and did not file one. Next, the seller refused to disclose to me what that inquiry was about, and therefore during my due diligence of the contract I canceled the purchase because I felt the seller was now hiding from me some important facts about the property that was important in my purchasing decision. In summary, I am not saying to never call or file or talk to your insurance company about a claim. I'm saying only do so if you are taking BIG numbers and not small amounts...because this is 'what' the home insurance policy should be regarded as used for.
Take a breath, please!! When responses are verbose and there is no breaking up of sentences, let alone paragraphs, it is an instant headache to read!!

kkingston57
08-31-2021, 02:22 PM
We're calling our Agent now because the landscaper (which is one of the major players in The Villages) is trying to blame the grading and when we called The Villages they just say the grading is fine (without actually inspecting it). We wanted to avoid a claim and potential increase in premium but we definitely need someone interested in our best interests at this point.

Good luck. Generally water seeps through mulch and should take a lot of mulch to create the drainage problem you encountered.

I was an insurance adjuster and worked for a lot of companies. If there is damage to your home and damages are light, they might not want to pay anyone to determine who caused the damages. In most cases, they only do this if the damages are significant and if the damages are covered by the policy. If they have to make a payment and if they feel that the nieghbor or the developer caused the problem, they might hire the appropriate expert. These experts cost +/- $200 an hour.

graciegirl
08-31-2021, 04:39 PM
The only true and long term fix is to have a French drain between units. Otherwise it will happen again.

I so agree. That is the answer plain and simple. It shouldn't cost any more than two hundred bucks and the problem is solved.

DaleDivine
08-31-2021, 05:16 PM
I so agree. That is the answer plain and simple. It shouldn't cost any more than two hundred bucks and the problem is solved.

A French drain is the solution to the water problem but not to her problem from the water damage.
:ohdear::boxing2:

Car400
08-31-2021, 08:26 PM
Does the OP have gutters? We live in a patio villa and one of our neighbors had the same problem. Once he put gutters up, the side with mulch no longer flooded. Remember, patio villas are different and neighbors have the right to put mulch or stone right up to your foundation.

EdFNJ
08-31-2021, 09:16 PM
We're calling our Agent now because the landscaper (which is one of the major players in The Villages) is trying to blame the grading and when we called The Villages they just say the grading is fine (without actually inspecting it). We wanted to avoid a claim and potential increase in premium but we definitely need someone interested in our best interests at this point. Not sure if FL has "private adjusters." They get between you and your insurance company adjuster and "work things out." Up in NJ when we had a roof collapse due to multiple snow storms they became a GREAT advantage. They take a few points off the settlement but work with the insurance company MANY times better than you ever could. They mostly deal with fire claims but take anything. They are the ambulance chasers of home damage claims. Kind of like the "CALL DAN" but for home damage claims.

kkingston57
08-31-2021, 09:37 PM
Not sure if FL has "private adjusters." They get between you and your insurance company adjuster and "work things out." Up in NJ when we had a roof collapse due to multiple snow storms they became a GREAT advantage. They take a few points off the settlement but work with the insurance company MANY times better than you ever could. They mostly deal with fire claims but take anything. They are the ambulance chasers of home damage claims. Kind of like the "CALL DAN" but for home damage claims.

Florida does have PA(aka Public Adjusters) I was in the insurance claim biz for 40 years. They can be helpful if the claim is denied(no coverage) or if a reasonable general contractor can not repair the damages for the amount of the insurance companys adjuster/estimator. You pay them a % of the paid claim.

Saw another(very long) post about not reporting to your insurance company. If you do not contact them, make sure that there is not any hidden damage such as mold if you choose to not contact your insurance company. They can deny coverage if loss was reported late to them and if they are not able to properly inestigate the claim.

TNGary
08-31-2021, 09:50 PM
Does the OP have gutters? We live in a patio villa and one of our neighbors had the same problem. Once he put gutters up, the side with mulch no longer flooded. Remember, patio villas are different and neighbors have the right to put mulch or stone right up to your foundation.

I have a question please: If OP were to install the french drain, as I am not certain of the lot lines for these type of homes, whose property would the french drain be installed? Recall the french drain with the diameter and such would entail about 8 inches of land along that side of the house. Who owns that land? OP or mulch neighbor guy?

Fltpkr
10-02-2021, 01:09 PM
Do you mind posting any updates on how things are going, and what progress you are making? These issues can occur on any Villa or Veranda home and may be helpful to others.

Number 10 GI
10-02-2021, 05:05 PM
I would highly avoid calling your insurance company regarding this issue. I am talking from personal experience. Any claim or talk of a claim with them will raise your rate to an astronomical amount. They also place you on a black list so that if you try to obtain a policy from another company; that new company will see your name on the list and refuse to insure you for up to 2 more years. Meanwhile, you are stuck on your current (now very high rate) policy! Home insurance should always be regarded as a catastrophic type of thinking, loss when it comes to filing a claim. Do you think filing a claim to recover maybe 15 k of damages is a good idea? Think again. A better way of thinking is I'll only file a claim if the claim need is around 60k or more. YOU pay when you file these small claims....you get their compensation check but then you pay over and over again each time you pay the new higher rate policy. Also, note that your insurance company could care less if you say or think....this claim is "not my fault" (and, therefore would be "nice" and not raise your rates as a result.) Also, note that any claim or even inquiry talk of a claim flags you on the shared insurance company database. Should you try to sell your home over the next couple of years and the prospective buyer tries to obtain an insurance quote....this will cause them to see even the talk of a possible claim and raise RED flags with your prospective buyer as to what happened to this house and do I really still want to purchase it. Why do I know this; again....it happened to me when I was trying to buy a Florida home 3 years ago and when I asked the seller what was this insurance inquiry: The seller said I only called to inquire about a possible claim and did not file one. Next, the seller refused to disclose to me what that inquiry was about, and therefore during my due diligence of the contract I canceled the purchase because I felt the seller was now hiding from me some important facts about the property that was important in my purchasing decision. In summary, I am not saying to never call or file or talk to your insurance company about a claim. I'm saying only do so if you are taking BIG numbers and not small amounts...because this is 'what' the home insurance policy should be regarded as used for.

I don't know what insurance company you have but I would be changing to a different one immediately. We have been with our insurance company for over 40 years and have had a few claims from storm damage, noting even close to $60K, and our premium didn't increase.