Who pays for water damage in a rental home?

Generally, the owner's insurance covers damage to the building, and the tenant's renters insurance covers the tenant's belongings. Who is responsible for the cost can depend on the cause and the lease. Report damage to your landlord in writing right away. This is general information, not legal advice.

Does flood insurance cover water in my crawl space?

Flood policies, such as those through the NFIP, have limited coverage below the first floor, including crawl spaces. Some items, like the furnace, water heater and ductwork, may be covered while others are not. Check your policy and talk to your agent.

What if the water damage happened while I was away?

It happens often, especially during deployments and moves. Document everything you find, report the claim promptly, and have the home checked for mold, since water that sat for days has had time to cause growth.

How long until my home is dry?

Drying commonly takes several days, depending on how much water there was, what materials got wet and how humid it is outside. Crawl spaces and hardwood floors can take longer. The crew should measure moisture daily and stop only when materials reach normal levels.

Water Damage Restoration in Jacksonville, NC

Common causes of water damage in Jacksonville

AC condensate overflows. Jacksonville's long cooling season keeps air conditioners running for months, and a clogged condensate line can leak through a ceiling or into a closet.
Water heaters and supply lines, especially in older homes near the base where plumbing may be decades old.
Heavy rain and street flooding. Roads like Western Boulevard, Brynn Marr Road and Northwoods Drive have flooded during heavy rain, and water on low-lying lots often ends up in crawl spaces.
Hurricanes and tropical storms, with roof damage and wind-driven rain.
Leaks in vacant homes that run for days before anyone notices, which is common during busy moving seasons.

Flooding and storm history

Hurricane Florence brought roughly 25 inches of rain to Jacksonville in 2018, with more than 30 inches near Swansboro. Homes along the New River flooded from the combination of high tides and rain, and many more had roof leaks and wet crawl spaces. Floodwater from rivers, creeks and storm runoff is considered contaminated, so carpet, padding, insulation and drywall it touches usually have to be removed.

If you're not sure about your flood risk, look up your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center or Onslow County's GIS maps. Remember that standard homeowners policies generally don't cover flooding from rising water; that takes a separate flood policy.

If you rent, or manage rentals

Many Jacksonville homes are rentals, which adds a step when water damage happens:

Renters: stop the water if you can do it safely, take photos, and notify your landlord or property manager right away, in writing. Your renters insurance generally covers your belongings; the owner's policy covers the building.
Landlords and property managers: respond quickly. Drying needs to start within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, and delays can make a covered claim harder.
Vacant homes: consider shutting off the water main between tenants and having someone check the home weekly, especially in summer.

First steps for Jacksonville homeowners

Stay clear of water near outlets, cords or the electrical panel.
Shut off the main water valve. In many local homes it's in the crawl space, a utility closet or near the water heater.
If the leak seems to be on the street side of your meter, call your water provider: the City of Jacksonville inside city limits, or ONWASA in much of unincorporated Onslow County.
Take photos and video before anything is moved.
Call for help, then call your insurance company.

How water damage restoration works

The crew finds the source, measures how far the water spread with moisture meters, extracts standing water and removes materials that can't be saved, like soaked padding or swollen baseboards. Dehumidifiers and air movers then run for several days while moisture readings are recorded, until the structure is dry enough for repairs.

Get help in Jacksonville

Dry Coast Restoration connects you with a vetted local restoration crew, often same-day. Call (910) 807-3573 or use the form above. For the full process, see our water damage restoration guide.

More help in and around Jacksonville

Nearby: Sneads Ferry, Holly Ridge, Surf City · All service areas