Water damage questions from Champaign and Urbana homeowners
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do in the first minutes, why water reaches buildings here, how drying works and what happens with permits and insurance. Calls are answered 24/7 and a crew is sent as soon as one is free.
- Storm runoff and flooding
- Basement water
- Burst and frozen pipes
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The first few minutes
What should I do first if water is coming in?
Keep people and pets out of the water, switch off power to the wet area only if you can reach the panel safely, and call the line. Stop the source if you can reach its shut-off without standing in water.
Should I pump the water out myself?
Only if the water is shallow and the power is off. Water that is still rising, or that stands near a live outlet, is a job for a crew.
What should I photograph?
The water line, the damaged items, the source and the outside grade where the water came in. Note the time you first saw the water.
Can I throw away wet items?
Photograph and list them first. Some items must come out for drying reasons, and an insurer may ask to see what was lost.
Why water reaches buildings here
Can a detention pond send water to my house?
Yes, when water leaves the pond or its drainage path and crosses a lot toward the foundation. The crew reads the route across the lot.
Does the upper Embarras flood buildings?
The regional record shows flooding in the upper Embarras basin in December 2015. Whether a particular building is reached depends on its own ground and drainage.
Why does a basement stay damp after the water is gone?
Concrete, block and the soil around them release moisture slowly. The readings in the materials show when they are dry.
Can a sewer backup happen in a storm?
Yes. A storm can carry more flow than a line can take, and it can push water back through drains in the lowest rooms.
Drying and mold
How long does drying take?
It takes as long as the readings need. The work is finished when the readings reach the goal on each check, and the crew explains the expected range on the first visit.
Why does the crew open a wall that looks dry?
Water moves up inside walls and along framing. A surface can look dry while the cavity behind it is still wet, and a small opening is the only way to check.
Will mold grow?
It can, when moisture stays high for days. Quick removal of water and steady drying lower the risk, and any growth found is handled after the structure is dry.
Can I paint over mold?
No. Paint over growth on a damp surface hides it for a short time and lets it return. Moisture is stopped and growth removed first.
Permits, contracts and insurance
Who answers permit questions for a repair?
The City of Champaign and the City of Urbana building departments answer for buildings in their cities. A village or a county address is asked of the office that serves it.
Does my policy cover river or ground water?
That depends on your policy wording, and the insurer decides. Ask the insurer directly and keep the records.
What should a written contract say?
The scope, the materials to be removed, the drying plan, the readings you will receive and the price basis. Read the exclusions before you sign.
Who do I complain to about an insurer?
The Illinois Department of Insurance takes complaints about insurers, after you have raised the matter with the insurer in writing.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.