Category: Flood Damage

Basements are the most common level of a house to flood. Because they’re lower and often mostly underground, water leaks into them from both the outside and the inside. Heavy rains, long rains, and burst or leaky pipes can all cause your basement to flood. And each time it floods, you need water extraction services to help clean it out and make the space usable again. Certain basements are at a higher risk of flooding than others. Here’s how to tell if your basement is a flood risk.

Home Location

Where your home was built, and more specifically the soil it was built on, is a major contributor to the flood risk of your basement. Houses built on or near floodplains are more likely to experience floods due to the high levels of water in the area. Certain soils can absorb water when it rains or snows. These soils then release the water back into your home, rising up through the floors rather than flowing down through doors, windows, or foundation cracks. If your home was built in these areas, it has a higher risk of flooding without proper prevention.

Foundation Strength

The foundation of most homes is designed to protect against many natural hazards, including heavy rainfall and storms. However, if there’s damage to your house’s foundation, rain can easily find its way in. If your doors and windows don’t have a proper seal, rain can seep in and leave floods on every level of your home. Even a small crack in your structural foundation can turn into a flood as rainwater continues to pour in. Getting your home regularly inspected for any cracks or damages is a great way to determine if your basement is at risk of flooding.

Pipe Integrity

The pipes of your home serve an important purpose. Without them, water can’t be delivered around to where you need it. But if your pipes become loose or burst, then that water has to go somewhere. And where it most often goes is your basement. Older pipes are at a greater risk of breaking, so getting them replaced is a good way to reduce your risk of basement flooding. But even newer pipes could pose a threat if they aren’t properly maintained, especially in areas with dramatic temperature shifts.

Water Extraction Services in Northern Idaho

If your basement floods, you want high-quality water extraction services to help your home get restored. At Insight Restoration, our technicians are available 24/7 to respond to any emergency flood situation. Not only will we extract the water from your basement, but we’ll also identify the source of the flood. We offer all varieties of waterproofing services to help you and your home avoid further flood damage. If you want to access your basement’s flood risk or need help cleaning up a flood, give us a call anytime, any day, at (208) 427-2534.

When your home floods, there’s a lot you need to do. You have to extract the water, repair the damages, check for mold, and figure out where the source of the flood is. Floods can be caused by leaky or burst pipes, sewage backups, and even a faucet that was left running. But one of the most common causes of a flood is rain. Whether it’s storming or just sprinkling, rainwater can easily find its way into your home and cause a whole slew of damages. Flood cleanup can be a lengthy and costly project, and knowing if you’re at risk for a flood is key to protecting your home.

Slight Rain

Although you may not initially consider it, even a small amount of rain can cause a flood if it continues long enough. A small leak of water in your home can eventually lead to a large pool of water if you aren’t aware of the problem. It may not be a rushing flood like you think of, but walking down to your basement after a solid day or rain to find even a few inches of water on the ground can be just as frustrating.

When your home has a structural crack or a window or door that doesn’t seal properly, rain can seep into your home. As the rains continue, the water level in your home can rise until it becomes a serious concern. Alternately, if your drain pipes aren’t cleared, or there’s a problem with your roof that prevents the water from falling off it, the buildup of rainwater and debris can cause the roof to collapse, sending a torrent of water into your home.

Heavy Rain

Heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and other storm features are going to cause the more common flood. Storm conditions can break windows, doors, and roofs, letting the heavy fall of rain into your home. Storms can also cause a dramatic buildup of water outside, which then forces its way into your home, causing more damage to your foundation. Flash floods are particularly difficult to protect against, as the amount of rainwater built up in a short time can easily wipe out safety measures. It’s important to have your property checked regularly for any weak points, especially if you know a storm is coming. You should be sure to fix any problem, no matter how small it may seem.

Flood Cleanup

When rain invades your home, there’s a lot that needs to be done to fix it up. Insight Restoration provides 24/7 emergency flood response to help you get your home back to normal as soon as possible. Our flood cleanup technicians will arrive on-site quickly to begin the job. Time is of the essence, and removing the floodwaters from your home as soon as we can is key to a timely repair. Give us a call any time, any day, at (208) 427-2534 if you need help with a flood in your home.

When any kind of disaster hits your home, it’s easy to feel uprooted and unsound. Our houses are meant to be a safe place, so when something threatens that safety, we’re likely to feel threatened ourselves. Thankfully, disaster cleanup services are available to help get our homes back to pre-loss conditions. Knowing what kinds of damages your home suffered after a disaster can help you sort through the cleanup and restoration process. A home inspection can help find these damages so your home can be restored.

Storm Damages

Storms are particularly dangerous to homes, as their size, intensity, and path can change in an instant. Storms have lots of damage potential, and this damage can take many forms. Your home could suffer from:

–      Broken Windows

–      Collapsed Roofs

–      Floods and Water Damage

–      Electrical Outages and Shortages

–      Broken Siding

Storms create damage that weakens the structural integrity of your home. Sometimes, a storm can leave your home uninhabitable during the restoration process. Thankfully, many insurance companies cover the costs associated with storm restoration. It’s also easier now than ever to predict when a storm is coming through and prepare your home to try and lessen the damages.

Fire Damages

A fire in your home leads to disastrous damages. The flames themselves can leave scorch marks on your walls, damage your home’s structure, and destroy valuables. But fires leave behind even more damage than that. Smoke and soot can stick to your floors and walls, leaving behind a mess and negatively impacting your home’s air quality. Even if a fire is small and easily contained, you may need to temporarily stay somewhere else during repairs to avoid breathing in lingering smoke. There’s no way to predict a fire, but there are safety measures you can take to help protect your home if one occurs.

Mold Damages

Mold is a stubborn side effect of water damage that can cause even more trouble for your house. Mold negatively affects your health, and it weakens the structural integrity of your home further. If left untreated, mold can also begin to attract pests and insects to your home. Because it grows in dark and damp places, mold can be hard to spot and even harder to get rid of. If your home suffers any kind of disaster, especially one that involves water damage, it’s best to have an inspection for mold to avoid further damage.

When your home suffers a disaster, you want a team on your side that can help you feel at ease during the restoration process. Insight Restoration provides top-quality disaster cleanup services to homes in the Northern Idaho area. We cover damages from storms to fires and everything in between. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to quickly respond to any disaster situation. Call us today at (208) 427-2962 to get your home back to its pre-loss condition.

After a storm blows through your town, your home could be left in bad shape. No matter the size of the storm, you may have to deal with flood damage, broken windows and siding, and even caved-in roofs. Storm damage is frustrating to deal with, and repairs could be extensive and costly. As with any home damage, taking quick action will help the restoration process move along smoothly. Knowing which steps to take after a storm can keep you calm and help your home return to its former condition.

Secure Safety

After a storm, your safety and the safety of your family are the top priority. If living in your home after the damage isn’t an option, make sure you find a safe place to stay during repairs. If you are staying in your home during the restoration process, you’ll want to take measures to keep yourself and your home safe. Any broken windows or exposed holes in your walls should be tarped and boarded up to prevent intruders and further environmental hazards. Some repairs can take a while to fix up, so keeping your home and family safe is paramount during that time.

Get an Inspection

A storm can cause any number of damages to your home. You could suffer water damage, broken windows, ruined siding, and roof damage. Some of the damage may not be immediately visible. A home inspector can identify any hidden damage or potential future damage as a result of the storm. Most home repair companies will inspect your house before they begin work, so they know what to expect and will have the proper equipment necessary. You can have the inspection done before committing to the work, so you have ample time to save up money or get in touch with your insurance company.

Contact Your Insurance

Many insurance policies will cover most of the damage caused by a storm. If you’re uncertain about what your insurance covers, you can check your policy or call your adjuster to ask. Insurances usually reimburse you for the money you spend on repairs, so it’s a good idea to know what you’ll get back before you start the restoration. After getting your home inspected, you’ll have a time and money estimate for the repair work. You can submit this to your insurance company to get a pre-approval on your reimbursement.

Storms are scary and dangerous natural disasters that can leave your home in bad condition. Getting repairs for storm damage can be costly and time-consuming. Insight Restoration can help you get your house back to pre-loss condition in no time. Give us a call today at (208) 427-2534. Our phone lines are open 24/7 to respond to any emergency storm situation. Our trained and certified technicians are standing by, ready to jump into action and help restore your home after a storm.

Floods are a terrifying natural disaster that can cause huge amounts of damage to your home and health. Protecting your home against a flood can help you avoid the headaches and costs associated with flood damage repair. The best offense is, after all, a good defense. Thankfully, with modern technology, many floods can be predicted. But even if you don’t have the time to prepare, there are still methods you can employ to keep your home safe from a sudden flood.

Drainage

Water left behind by floods can cause a lot of the damage associated with flooding. Water wears away at surfaces, creates mold, and can seriously affect your home’s supports and electrical systems. The best way to keep your home secure from a flood is to ensure there is a proper drainage system.

Drainage should be considered for both around and inside your home. Depending on the location of your house, you may need to install draining systems in your yard to help divert the water away from your house in the first place. As for the water that manages to get in, you can employ drains and sump pumps in your basement to help remove the water as soon as it enters.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing your home will help prevent rainwater and smaller floods from getting in. In most cases, floods occur because there is a part of your house that isn’t able to repel it. You should have your windows and doors checked to ensure their seals are tight. It’s also possible that the cause is a more signficant issue, such as a crack or other damage in your foundation. Getting your home inspected, repaired, and properly waterproofed can help you prevent flood damage.

Protect Valuables

Sometimes, no number of proactive steps will be able to keep a flood out of your home. For this reason, it’s best to ensure that your valuables are stored in watertight containers and placed on shelves above the floor. Basements are the main storage area in most homes and the first location to flood. If you use your basement as an additional living area, consider placing furniture on blocks or removing the furniture if you know a flood could be possible. The less there is in your basement for the floodwaters to impact, the less damage you’ll have to worry about.

Floods are a force to be reckoned with. With the help of Insight Restoration, you can protect your home and save yourself time and money on flood damage repairs. Our team of highly trained and certified technicians is fully equipped to provide a variety of flood-prevention services. We’ll inspect your home for weak points, repair and restore any damages found, waterproof your doors and windows, and even install drainage systems as needed. Don’t let a possible flood ruin your home. Call us today at (208) 427-2962 to see how we can help you protect your home from a flood.

When your home suffers water damage, you need an experienced water damage restoration team to help fix it up. But getting water damage restored can be a complicated process. You may not always know what to expect. When you hire a water restoration team, you are inviting strangers into your home to do work you don’t know much about. By knowing about the restoration process itself, you can feel more confident in the work they’re doing on your house.

Water Extraction

The first step in many water damage restoration cases is to extract the water. This may not always be necessary if the damage is small, such as a leaky pipe. But in the instance of floods or burst pipes, your team will need to extract the water in order to fully evaluate the damages and begin repairs.

Your team will use industry-standard tools, including pumps, drains, and hoses to remove the standing water from your home. Then, they’ll use high-powered fans and dehumidifiers to remove the excess water from the air and any furnishings, carpets, or upholstery. In some cases, it’s impossible to accurately assess the damages without fully extracting the water.

Inspections

Once your team has removed the water, a qualified home water damage inspector will assess the area. Your inspector will check for any telltale signs of water damage. These include mold, structural damage, and even electrical concerns. Depending on where the water damage is in your home and how large of an area it impacts, it can cause a lot more problems. It’s important to have your home inspected after it suffers water damage. You need to ensure that there are no hidden problems left behind.

Restoration

Now that your team has removed the water and discovered the damages, they can begin the restoration work. This will depend mainly on the types of damages your home sustained. Restoration can involve replacing sections of your floors or walls that became damaged or discolored, removing mold, replacing electrical outlets or wiring, and repairing damages to your home’s supports.

Before any work is started, your inspector will provide you with a report detailing the damages they found and the estimated time and money cost to repair them. With this list in hand, you can confidently contact your home insurance company to see what your policy will cover. Many policies include protection from floods and burst pipes. They may not cover damages from leaky pipes and other smaller sources.

Experiencing a flood, leaky pipe, or other water damage in your home can be stressful. Insight Restoration is here to help alleviate that stress. Our phone lines are open 24/7 at (208) 427-3042 to respond to any emergency water damage situation. Our team of highly trained water damage restoration specialists is standing by.

Floods are dangerous disasters that can damage both people and property. Residential water damage caused by floods is often difficult and costly to repair and restore. As a result, in areas that experience heavy rainfall, shifting tides, or flooding riverbeds, it’s necessary to protect your home against flooding. And even if floods are not a regular occurrence where you live, knowing that a strong storm is coming should encourage you to shore up your home’s defenses. Generally, properly preparing for a possible flood is the best way to keep your home and your goods safe from water damage.

Insulation and Sealants

Water can find its way into your home through the smallest of cracks. This means even a small leak during a flood or heavy rain can cause severe water damage. If your home floods or you suspect a flood could happen, then contact a water damage company to inspect the foundation of your home. They can locate any cracks or damages that are allowing water to enter your house. These technicians can then offer you services to fix these issues. As a result, when your home is secured, floods are less likely to cause damage.

Exterior Protection

There are always going to be a few places that can’t be completely sealed off. These are mostly around doors and some windows. For these areas, it’s best to use some external protection. Sandbags are a great way to defend exposed areas. They also help redirect water away from your home. You can get them at many local hardware or home repair stores. Certain places may also offer them if a strong storm is on the way. Make sure your yard is free of debris and loose objects are stored/tied down. This can help prevent broken windows that let floodwaters in.

Minimizing Damage

In some cases, no amount of protection will defend your home from floodwaters. Your home’s location, the materials used, and what kind of flood you’re expecting can all play a factor in how protected your home is. If your home is going to flood, you can take steps to minimize the amount of damage it can cause. For example, if the flooding takes place primarily in your basement, you can install a sub-pump to help remove the water as soon as it flows in. Also, ask your home repair company what options you have to minimize residential water damage in the event of a flood.

Experiencing a flood in your home can be exhausting and frustrating to deal with. The best way to defend your home from residential water damage is to ensure the foundation is secure and the outside is prepared. Insight Restoration’s trained and certified flood specialists can help you protect your home from flood damages. Call us today at (208) 427-2825 to discuss your home’s needs. Our phone lines are also open 24/7 to respond to any emergency flood situation.

When your house floods, you’re often left to deal with a lot of aftermath. Any kind of disaster in your home can make you feel panicked, which makes the clean-up and restoration more difficult. When you’re facing the task of flood damage restoration, time is of the essence to make your home safe and healthy again. Keeping a clear head and handling tasks in the proper order can help you stay calm during the process. Here are the steps you need to take when your home experiences a flood.

Water Extraction

Removing the water from your home is the first and most important step in flood restoration. The longer water sits in your home, the more damage it can cause. Floodwaters can cause mold, structural damages, electrical issues, and disease or illness. It’s imperative that you call a flood damage restoration company as soon as possible to begin the water extraction process. The company will drain the water out of the flooded area and start drying out the room. Acting quickly can help you avoid further damages and repair costs.

Take Stock

While the flooded area is drying out, it’s time to take stock of your belongings and the damages sustained. Your flood damage restoration company can provide you with an inspection of the area. They’ll give you a detailed list of what was damaged. It’s also a good idea to go through the furniture and stored items that were in the room to see if anything of value was damaged.

Many insurance policies will cover flood damage repairs up to a certain point. After you get the quote from your inspector for the cost and duration of the repairs, call your insurance company. Having a list available of what else was damaged will help you get the most from your insurance and replace anything that was affected.

Prevention

Once you have dried out the area and repaired the damages, it’s a good idea to work on preventing future floods. Many home repair companies offer such services. The inspector who determined the damages will likely be able to tell you where and why the water came in. You can have your home restoration company add additional insulation and sealants around any cracks, windows, or doors to keep floodwaters out. If you are unable to prevent the water from getting in, you can install a sub-pump. This will help drain the water as soon as it comes in.

If your home experiences a flood or other disaster, you want the best in flood damage restoration. Call Insight Restoration at (208) 427-2825. Our phone lines are open 24/7, ready to respond to any emergency flood situation. Our trained and certified flood damage technicians can remove the water from your home, restore any damages, and help prevent future floods from happening. Time is of the essence, so don’t wait to call us if your home floods.

When you find water damage in your home, you need the right people to help restore your home to pre-loss conditions. There are a lot of water restoration companies out there, so how do you know which is the right one for you? When you hire a restoration company, you’re inviting strangers into your home. You want to make sure they’re the best people for the job. Feeling safe and knowing that the company you hired will do the job properly is the most important aspect of any restoration job.

Trust Yourself

You know what’s right for you, your family, and your home. Nearly every good restoration company will come out to do an inspection of the damages and provide you with a quote. This is an excellent time to get to know the company and the technicians working on your home. Most of the time, the technician who will be performing the job will be the one doing the inspection. If not, you can ask the inspector to provide you with the contact information for the technician so you can meet them.

During the inspection or first meeting, trust yourself to know whether or not this is a good fit. Not only are you keeping an eye out for how the company and technician work professionally, but how they are personally, too. You’re welcoming a stranger into your home, so make sure you feel comfortable with them being there. If you like a company, but don’t feel comfortable with the technician you met, ask their offices if there is another technician you can work with instead.

Check Reviews

Other people’s experiences can often provide a great source of intel on a company. Before hiring a company, check their online reviews, such as their Google reviews or social media pages. Many reviewers of water restoration companies provide their own before and after photos so you can get a good look at the kind of work being done. They’ll also likely provide details on how their overall experience was with certain technicians.

Ask for Recommendations

Word of mouth is still a powerful marketing tool. Whenever someone finds a company they like, they’re usually more than happy to share the information with friends and family. After all, we want our loved ones to experience the same quality work we do. If you’re looking for a company to hire, start by asking your friends, family, and neighbors if there’s anyone they would – or wouldn’t – recommend.

Looking through all the water restoration companies available can feel overwhelming at times. And the longer it takes to pick one, the more damage the water can cause to your home. If you need a quality water restoration company that you can trust and feel comfortable with, call Insight Restoration at (208) 427-2534. Our phone lines are open 24/7, and we never leave a message unanswered. Let our certified water damage restoration specialists take care of your home.

Water damage is a serious issue that most homes will face at least once. Whether a flood, a leaky faucet, or simple human error causes it, water damage has the capacity to cause severe damage and even health issues. However, not all water damage is the same. The type of water damage your home sustained can reveal a lot about the source of the water, the concerns it causes, and how a restoration company will handle the water cleanup. Here are the three main types of water damage and what to expect from each kind.

Whitewater Damage

Whitewater damage is the best-case scenario. Although any kind of water damage is not good, whitewater damage carries the least amount of threat and is typically the easiest to clean up. Whitewater damage is usually clear and clean, and you can generally handle it without needing any special equipment. Whitewater damage is often caused by a leak, a burst pipe, or a faucet that was left running. Although it doesn’t carry the same hazards as other kinds of water damage, whitewater can still damage your home’s structural integrity, cause electrical issues, and create an environment for mold to grow.

Graywater Damage

Graywater damage can either be as harmless as whitewater damage or as hazardous as blackwater damage. This water damage is caused by leaks, bursts, or breaks in toilets and sewage systems. Even if the water is clear, it’s still graywater damage. You should exercise caution when cleaning up the area. If there is visible waste, specialty equipment and training may be required to safely remedy the problem. Graywater can cause the same kinds of damage as whitewater, with the added hazards of health problems caused by waste.

Blackwater Damage

Blackwater damage is the most serious type of damage. We strongly caution homeowners against trying to clean it up on their own. This kind of water damage is often caused by heavy storms and floods that bring more than just water into your home. Most often found in basements, blackwater is murky and visually contaminated. It carries a host of germs and bacteria from the outside world. If not handled safely, blackwater can cause severe health concerns and even further damage to the home’s structural integrity. Always call a professional water cleanup team if you discover blackwater in your home.

If you discover water damage in your home, call Insight Restoration to clean it up for you. Our phone lines are open 24/7 at (208) 427-2534, and we never leave a voicemail unanswered. Our team of trained and certified water cleanup experts is standing by, ready to respond to any emergency water damage your home may have. We can handle all the different types of water damage safely and effectively. We will get your home back to pre-loss conditions as soon as possible.