How Do I Respond When My Kansas City Home Suffers Flooding After Storms Knock Trees or Down Utility Lines into My Property?

6/21/2020 (Permalink)

Many Things Can Go Wrong During Kansas City Storms -- Flood Damage Is an Emergency SERVPRO Can Bring Under Control

Recent severe storms woke some Kansas City residents to the stress of flooding after large branches and power lines damaged home exteriors. Heavy rain pours in through crushed eaves or broken siding and windows, collecting in the lower levels of your house after flowing down walls and stairs.

What Makes “Top-Down” Flood Damage Different?

Wherever the storm’s flood damage presents, Kansas City residents need help getting it under control.  Failure to mitigate the migration of rainwater is a recipe for slow, steady deterioration of structural components and mold growth from rooftop to cellar.

Can the Migration of the Water Be Traced?

SERVPRO does a visual inspection to get a sense of where the water wandered. We look for water percolating down from the roof that can collect in building cavities under floors, above ceilings, and between walls. Pooled water is incredibly heavy, capable of breaking through drywall and ceiling tiles. We look for:

• Bulging or blistering paint, wallpaper, or surfaces 
• Staining or darkening of surfaces 
• “Sweating,” where walls or ceilings glisten with moisture

More subtle signs of water migration are discovered, measured, and monitored through the use of:

• Penetrating or non-penetrating moisture detectors
• Moisture meters
• Thermal imaging

How Do Professionals Get the Flood Water Out?

If the bulk of the storm water hides in cavities, mindful controlled demolition might be the only option. Our technicians cut or punch weep holes in or below the bulges, and we often take the pressure off overhead by drilling release holes or making flood cuts between floor level and several inches above where water lurks behind drywall. Opening up wet, hidden areas not only permits us to extract the flood water, but also enhances the effects of the air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers we use for structural drying.

Count on SERVPRO of Kansas City Midtown to find and eradicate storm-related flood damage no matter where it shows up in your home. Call us at (816) 895-8890 for a consultation on how to manage your storm water emergency.

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