Post Flood Water Damage Restoration

Posted by: RestoreMore on August 20, 2021

When Mother Nature blesses you with an unfortunate deluge of rain, your house and all your contents might be ruined. Or it may be possible to save a flooded house based on how minimal the damage is. Our water damage restoration experts know there are many factors that affect how salvageable the home is depending on: type of water, amount of time that passed before drying, home materials used, even the current weather. 

Water Damage Restoration In Milwaukee WI

Immediately Avoid Additional Risks

If the flood was serious enough for you to leave your home, be sure you stay safe upon your return. The Federal Emergency Management Agency warns that before entering the home,  you should check for any visible structural damage: cracked foundation elements, cracks in support structures, and holes. Contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, and sewer lines. 

Focus On High Value Items

Get professional water damage restoration help with any areas that have been exposed to flood water. The majority of flood water carries toxic levels of bacteria and microorganisms. You’ll need to work quickly and efficiently to save your possessions. Focus on expensive items, non porous materials, and things that are sterilized. Move quickly to preserve valuable documents. Rinse and freeze them in ziplock bags. Later, you can dry them with a hairdryer once they’re thawed. The water damage restoration experts at Restore More will have a lot of advice to help you save as many things as possible.

Structural Damage?

Once the water outside your house has subsided, the house itself can remain waterlogged for some time. A flood can cause lasting damage to your home, even if it’s not specifically hit by a huge wave. Hydrodynamic loads, caused by flood water flowing around and against your house, can weaken the foundation while inundating the house with soil and silt. If you pump water out of your basement while the surrounding soil remains saturated, the walls and floors can crack or collapse from hydrostatic loads pressing against the sides of your house.

If your foundation or basement walls crack, you’ll probably need to replace them. This is expensive and difficult, and in most cases it would make more sense to tear down the home than to try to repair it. If the damage is more than half your home’s market value, you may not have a choice; you may be legally required to tear the house down. Sometimes the expense makes trying to salvage your home even less worthwhile.

Insurance Matters

Don’t make a final decision until you check with your insurance company, because some or all the costs of elevating or flood-proofing your home (or demolishing it) may be covered.

Separate the damaged from the undamaged property and put it in the best possible order for the insurance adjuster’s examination. If reasonably possible, protect the property from further damage. When the adjuster visits your property, let him or her know if you need an advance or partial payment of loss.

If you have flood coverage, you’ll need to file a claim. If possible, photograph the outside of the premises, showing any damage or flooding. Also, photograph the inside of the premises, showing the damaged property and the height of the water if your property was flooded.

The water damage restoration experts at RestoreMore in Milwaukee WI makes sure that your home recovers from water damage– better than ever. More than just qualified, certified and customer-centric, we are your business neighbor and community partner. Count on our water damage restoration experts to maintain your office and home carpets.


Frequently Asked Questions

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