Flood Clean Up – What Is Your Risk?
By the Macomb County Experts

The State of Michigan has the 9th highest dollar amount of flood cleanup insurance claims. Annually, more than 8 million dollars is paid out in flood cleanup insurance claims in Michigan.

As the premier flood cleanup company in Macomb County, we have seen that flooding can occur almost anywhere – even in “dry” or “plains” areas, or areas far from lakes or rivers. There are several reasons for this.

First, snow melt is one of the leading causes of flooding – higher even than hurricanes! And Michigan has the 6th highest amount of snowfall of any State. In 2014 the Detroit area had a record 95 inches of snow!

Additionally, urban and suburban areas can experience flooding due to the large amount of concrete – in streets, driveways and parking lots. Paved areas are unable to absorb both rainfall and/or melting snow. So this water rapidly “runs off” to the nearest lowest point – and often that is somebody’s basement!

Assessing Your Risk of FloodCleanup Macomb County

Michigan Flood Maps Cleanup Macomb County

Floodplain mapping information is contained in the “Michigan is the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)” – which are developed by the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). There are 1776 cities, villages  & townships in Michigan, but only about 750 communities have FEMA floodplain maps.

To See If Your Community Has a Floodplain Map CLICK HERE.

Calculate The Cost of Flooding

The National Flood Insurance Program offers several resources for assessing your risk of flooding, as well as calculating the cost of  potential flood cleanup and damage. Use the interactive video below to calculate the cost of flood cleanup for you.

Assess Your Risk of Flooding

The National Flood Insurance Program offers several resources for assessing your risk of flooding, as well as calculating the cost of  potential flood cleanup and damage. Use the interactive video below to calculate the cost of flood cleanup for you.

Learn your risk of experiencing a flood, find a flood insurance agent, and even calculate approximate flood insurance premiums, using the form below!

Flood Clean Up “Check Up”
By the Macomb County Experts

Spring is flood season in Michigan. In fact, floods are the #1 natural disaster in the United States. Annually, total flood insurance claims average more than $3.5 billion.

Are you prepared for spring flood weather? You can minimize the danger of flood damage with an annual checkup! We recommend setting aside one afternoon every spring and taking the following easy steps, as a flood prevention “check up”.

Flood Clean Up “Check Up” Steps:

(1.) Inspect Your Sump Pump

If you rely on a sump pump to keep your basement dry, have it inspected and cleaned at least every few years.  Sump pumps do not last forever, and sump pump failure is one of the most common causes of basement flooding. The older your sump pump, the more often you should have it checked.

(2.) Double Check Your Basement

While you are downstairs checking your sump pump, it is a prudent idea to do a “walk through” in your basement and make sure all paper, cloth, electronic, and valuable items are well above floor level.

In Macomb County, Michigan, most homes have basements. And we all know how easy it is to just store items we aren’t using downstairs – out of sight is out of mind. At first we are usually careful to keep boxes of books, clothing and other water sensitive items off the floor. But as things get moved around over time, irreplaceable items (documents, your children’s artwork, etc.) may get shifted to a flood-susceptible location!

A quick “spring cleaning” – moving boxes off the floor and lower shelves – can prevent flood damage, and make flood clean up much easier!

(3.) Inventory Your Contents before Flood Clean Up

Many flood clean up insurance claims are denied by an insurer because the homeowner has no “proof” of the value of the items that were damaged or destroyed. But with the ease of taking cell phone video, this problem is easily prevented.

While you are downstairs, take a video of its contents. Video your furniture and personal possessions -and open boxes if necessary. A video record of your possessions can make collecting on a flood clean up insurance claim much easier.

(4.) Talk to Your Insurance Agent about Flood Clean Up Insurance

Most insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding. While some insurance policies cover water damage from burst pipes or ice dams, many exclude water damage from actual floods. So it is wise to talk to your agent about what flood damage coverage you have, and what flood damage coverage you may need to add.

The average flood clean up insurance claim is over $40,000! However, the average flood insurance policy premium was only about $700 per year. Is it worth $60 a month to you to be covered in case of flood? Only you and your insurance agent can decide!

Flood Cleanup Facts

Along with the beautiful spring weather comes flood season in Michigan. People usually think of floods as occurring on the East Coast or Gulf Coast as a result of hurricanes. But, in fact, Michigan has the 7^th highest number of flood cleanup claims of all 50 states!

Michigan is also the 9^th highest State in terms of flood cleanup insurance claims dollar amounts. In 2014 more than 8 million dollars was paid out in flood cleanup insurance claims in Michigan!

As Macomb County’s flood cleanup company, here are some flood cleanup facts you may find surprising:

Flood Cleanup Facts

• All 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods in the past 5 years – even desert states such as Arizona and Nevada.
• People outside of “high-risk flood areas” still file over 20-percent of all flood cleanup insurance claims.
• The average flood cleanup and damage insurance claim is over $40,000!
• Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage or flood cleanup. (Click Here to learn more about flood clean up and insurance).
• Just two feet of rushing water is strong enough to carry away a car.
• Floods from snow melting are actually more common than floods from hurricanes.
• In most areas, your home is more likely to be damaged by flood than by fire.
• There is a 30 day waiting period before flood cleanup insurance goes into effect!

Macomb County’s Best Flood Cleanup Company

If you have experienced a flooded basement in Oakland, Wayne or Macomb County, we are here to help you cleanup the flood damage 24/7. We will rapidly clean up the flood damage – and also identify the cause of the basement flooding so that we can fix any problems and help prevent future floods!

Flood Risk Assessment Resources

Step 1:

First, see if your community participates in the National Flood Program. Scroll down for a complete list of all participating Michigan cities, towns and villages.

FEMA List of
Michigan Communities Participating in
the National Flood Program

Step 2:

Find Your Flood Map
Cleanup Macomb County

If your communtiy is on the list above, you can find your Flood Map by entering your address HERE.

This link will redirect you to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC), which is the official public source for flood hazard information.

Step 3:

Find Flood Insurance
Cleanup Macomb County

The National Flood Insurance Program can help you find Flood Insurance HERE. Fill out the “red box” and it will help you assess your risk, as well as assist you in finding a Flood Insurance Agent.

Macomb’s Best Flood Cleanup Company

If you have experienced a flood Oakland, Wayne or Macomb County, we are here to help you with immediate flood cleanup 24/7. We will rapidly clean up your flood damage – as well as help you to identify the cause of the flooding – so that we can take preventive measures to help prevent any future floods!

Causes of Flooded Basements
In Macomb, Oakland & Wayne County

As Macomb, Oakland & Wayne County’s leader in Flooded Basement Cleanup, we have seen every possible cause of basement flooding!

Tragically, a flooded basement can lead to loss of valuable personal property. It also leads to loss of time and money for the unfortunate homeowner who now has to deal with a flooded basement.

This article discusses the most common causes of a flooded basement.

Click Here for PART 2: preventing a flooded basement.

Causes of Flooded Basements

Flooded Basement: Improper Grade

Unfortunately many homeowners do not realize that their home was originally built on an unsuitable location for proper drainage.

One of the most common causes of a flooded basement is that the house was constructed on a site with an improper “grade”. “Grade” refers to the elevation and slope of the surrounding land. If a home is built on sloped terrain, draining and runoff water will accumulate at low points.

And if your home has been built on the low part of your property, it may flood when it rains and/or when snow melts.

Flooded Basement: Improper Sealing

Another common cause of basement flooding is poor or improper “sealing” of the basement floors and walls. Builders often “cut corners” and fail to properly seal basement walls & flooring during the construction of your house. The result is water seeping in after a heavy rainstorm or after sudden melting of snow.

Flooded Basement: Improper Drainage

A drainage system that has been improperly placed can also lead to a flooded basement. If the downspouts of your house have been placed within 6 feet of your basement walls, they are too close and can lead to basement flooding.

In some cases, it may even be your neighbors’ drainage system that is the problem! They may have downspouts that take the rain water away from their house and direct it to your home!

Flooded Basement: Blocked Eaves troughs

Because eaves troughs are “out of sight and out of mind” they frequently become blocked and cause basement flooding. Wait, you say, the roof causes the basement to flood?  That is correct! Eaves troughs and gutters are designed to direct rain water away from the foundation. A blocked gutter will cause rainwater to redirect toward the “path of least resistance” – which can often be directly down to your foundation.  And if the water accumulates – flooding can occur.

Flooded Basement: Sump Pump Failure

Many homeowners may go decades without basement flooding. And then suddenly one small storm floods their basement! This can happen when the sump pump fails. Like all mechanical devices, a sump pump does not last forever.

If your sump pump has been working silently in your basement “just doing its job” you probably never think about it. But sooner or later a sump pump – especially one that has been working hard removing water for many years – will need replacing.

If you have experienced a flooded basement in Macomb, Oakland or Wayne County, we are here to help you 24/7. We will rapidly clean up the flood damage – and also identify the cause of the basement flooding so that we can fix it and prevent future flooding!