Where Lake Secor sits
Lake Secor is one of several lakes inside the Mahopac hamlet, along with Lake Mahopac, Kirk Lake, Lake Casse, Teakettle Spout Lake and Long Pond. Mahopac is a hamlet in the Town of Carmel, so the building department, the town flood law and the hazard plan that apply to a home near the lake are the Town of Carmel's. Mail goes to ZIP 10541.
We do not claim a boundary for the Lake Secor neighborhood, because we found no official one. Local real estate sites use the name for homes around the lake, and the county hazard plan speaks of lakeshore properties. If you are unsure whether we cover your street, call and give us the address.
What the Putnam County hazard plan says about Lake Secor
The Town of Carmel section of the Putnam County hazard mitigation plan says that Lake Secor historically floods because of vegetation overgrowth within and along its outlet stream. It adds that the flooding closes adjacent roads and affects lakeshore properties. The plan also lists a proposed project to dredge the outlet stream, with a cost estimate of $250,000. We have not verified whether that work has been carried out.
For a homeowner, the useful point is the cause. When an outlet is choked, water backs up in the lake and spreads to low ground nearby, and that is a flood loss rather than a plumbing loss. Flood water is treated as contaminated, and flood damage is commonly handled differently by insurers, so photograph the water line and read your policy before you start repairs.
Neighborhood-specific FEMA flood-zone status not verified. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center will show the mapped zone for a specific address.
Who to call first, depending on where the water came from
| Source of the water | First call | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Lake or outlet stream water entering the house | Emergency services if anyone is at risk, then us | Remove water, treat the area as contaminated, dry and document the loss |
| Storm runoff through a foundation wall or window well | Us, then a drainage contractor | Extract, remove wet materials and dry the structure |
| A failed supply line, water heater or appliance | A plumber for the repair, and us for the water | Extract, dry and repair, see burst pipe water damage |
| Sewage or drain backup | The sewer authority or a plumber, and us | Contain and clean, see sewage backup cleanup |
Source decides the safety steps and the paperwork, so say where it came from when you call.
Water problems we are asked about near Lake Secor
Lower levels near the lake
Groundwater and runoff can reach finished basements and crawl spaces. Pumping and drying are covered in basement water damage cleanup.
Storm water
Heavy rain can send water across yards and into homes. See storm water damage cleanup.
Pipe and appliance leaks
A split line or failed hose floods a room whatever the weather. See water extraction.
Wet walls and floors
Once water is out, the structure still has to dry. See structural drying.
Before the crew arrives at a lake-area home
Stop at any step that is not safe. These steps apply to most water losses.
Look before you walk
Stay out of deep water, and do not wade through water that may reach outlets, cords or a basement panel.
Close the main
Turn off the water supply only if you can reach the valve without stepping in water.
Keep clear of dirty water
Treat lake, stream and drain water as contaminated, and keep children and pets away.
Lift what you can
Move papers, electronics and small items up and out if the room is safe to enter.
Photograph the damage
Take photos of the water line, the source and damaged belongings before cleanup starts.
Documenting a loss for your insurer
Whether a loss is covered depends on the cause and on your policy, and we cannot tell you what an insurer will pay. A standard homeowners policy and a flood policy are separate products, so ask your agent which applies to rising water and which applies to a pipe failure.
What we can do is document the work. Photos, moisture readings and a written scope show what was wet, what was removed and how the structure was dried, and you can give those records to your insurer.
Water in your Lake Secor home
Call the emergency line and tell us the street and the source.
Lake Secor on the map
The map is centered on Lake Secor so you can confirm we serve your street. Our base is on Route 6 in Mahopac.
Lake Secor water damage questions
Yes. Lake Secor is in the Mahopac hamlet, a short drive from our base on Route 6. Call and give us the street so we can confirm.
We have not verified a zone for the neighborhood as a whole, and a zone applies to a specific property. Check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center for your address, and ask the Town of Carmel building department how its flood law applies.
We remove the water and dry the structure. Because flood water is contaminated, we will tell you what has to come out. Your insurer decides coverage.
Sometimes. Readings decide. If the water was clean and caught early, drying in place may work. Contaminated water usually means removal of porous materials.
The Town of Carmel building department, because Mahopac is a hamlet in that town.