How to fix your flooded home

(March 6, 2014) The weather in Indiana is causing massive amounts of home problems, from flooding to broken pipes. That means restoration companies are very busy.

We are drying out the structure of this house from a frozen pipe near Greenwood. The pipe busted and flooded this entire house from top to bottom. It caused probably 40 thousand dollars damage, said Kenny Cochran, the CEO of Moore Restoration.

According to Cochran, most home water damage doesnt come from heavy rain or melting snowbroken water pipes are usually the culprit.

Many water pipes are inside exterior walls, close to the cold temperatures. So without good insulation, they can freeze, he said. Then, when they start to thaw out, they expand and rupture, and theyll flood a whole house, a building a school or a hospital. Weve done all kinds of commercial work over the last 90 days. We are open 24/7, 365 days of the year.

In the case of the Greenwood home, it was a second-floor pipe that split in the main bathroom. The pipes were in the exterior wall, exposed to the cold weather and wind. The water even flooded through the floor.

I expected to find some water up in the light fixture on the first floor. And sure enough the water from the busted bathroom pipe leaked into the next levels light fixtures, said Scott Montgomery, director of emergency services at Moore Restoration.

The family of the flooded home will have to stay elsewhere for two to three months, but at least insurance is covering it. The best money-saving tip after flooding, is dont hire someone coming to your door offering their services. Then can take your money and take you for a ride.

Its best to know the restoration company that you are working with. Do a little research with the Better Business Bureau, Angies List, places like that to know they are an established, reputable company and not a fly-by-night place working out of the back of a station wagon, Cochran said.

You should also get a detailed price quote in writing before work begins. But keep in mind, some de-construction may have to take place to fully assess damage. The company should also check for mold and prevent it from forming. And just because things feel dry doesnt mean they are. Its a process to make sure there is proper drying.

Typically well dry out a structure in three to five days, after a major water loss. Thats why we have big air movers, said Cochran.

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How to fix your flooded home