emergency restoration Archives

The 5 Stages of (Flood) Grief

Posted Saturday, January 19th, 2019

You would think that the biggest worry you’d have when water damages your home is just getting it out. This is just the most immediate and obvious concern anytime you’re dealing with severe water damage from a flood. In most situations, it’s not just the basement, the family room, or the damaged ceiling that will cause you the most grief.

Sometimes the most difficult things to get under control are the things you can’t see that will cause the most long-lasting damage – and I’m not talking about mold.

In the past, we’ve talked a lot about the effects of water damage on your home and belongings, and ways to handle and prepare for the physical damage caused in a flood. However, we’ve never touched on the emotional toll that having your home destroyed by water can take on you and your family.

The Emotional Toll

Weak foundations, pipe bursts, and sewer backups are all terrible emergencies that require immediate reaction and stress you out. But what about the long term effects of experiencing major flood damage to your home? Because it’s not just the damage to your home, but to the people inside.

The emotional and mental effect that a flood can have on you with the loss to both your home and your belongings can often be overlooked until you’ve experienced it first hand. Losing valuable possessions, photos, or collections that you’ve established a long emotional attachment to can be heartbreaking and coping can be immensely difficult. Sometimes the combined hardship from a severe flood can burden victims of flooding with PTSD-like reactions. This is why having a solid prevention plan and recovery team in place can be a huge factor in minimizing property AND emotional damage.

Flooded With Grief

It may sound silly at first, but much of what a flood victim experiences closely follows the 5 stages of grief:

Denial – Anyone who has the displeasure of dealing with any water damage initially wants it to just be a quick mop or suck up. Coming to terms with the fact that you may have an expensive and extensive emergency situation is the one thing you do not want to be true. You may think that the water will just drain away and everything will be fine. Sometimes, this very well may be the case; not all floods are created equal! But with more serious water damage situations, you definitely don’t want to be wrong – better safe than sorry!

Anger – The moment you’ve been smacked with the reality that this is a REAL situation that could be a large financial and emotional burden, then the anger can set in. You might be angry at your house, at the weather, at your plumber, at a family member… or even god forbid at a member of the emergency restoration team sent to help (don’t worry, we understand).

Bargaining – Once the anger has subsided, you may turn to prayer or desperately trying to imagine a way out of the situation without actually dealing with the problem at hand so that you can just disconnect from it without actually tackling the hard task of properly dealing with the damage caused.

Depression – In the fourth stage of grief, you’ve already exhausted so much energy on the initial shock of the situation that you can often fall into a fog of apathy or feeling isolated and alone. Losing cherished family items in storage or living areas where the family gathered and shared memories can be tough. Which is completely natural, especially seeing as many times you may be the only one you know going through this personal tragedy. It can be lonely and it is important to know that this is natural and okay to feel.

Acceptance – You know you’ve made it when you find yourself in a place where you’re able to begin tackling this recovery effort with the focus and even reluctant enthusiasm needed. It’s hard to deal with the loss of things that have been a part of your life for years, even if you have a plan for how to deal with an emergency. Once you do accept the situation you’re in and can put one foot in front of the other and start taking care of business, you’re on your way to restoring not just your home, but yourself as well.

Minimize Vulnerability With A Plan

While having a proper prevention plan in place may not prevent a flood from happening, it can help to quicken the recovery process lifting the burden placed on your mental health and your property. We’ve outlined in previous posts some steps you can take to be as prepared as you can when disaster strikes, and the best thing you can do for yourself and your home is to call the Modernistic Restoration Team. We have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to make your recovery Simple & Quick, giving you peace of mind in a difficult time. Trust the water damage experts!

Modernistic has been helping Michigan homeowners with water damage since 1973, and our certified mitigation crews will be there whenever you need us! Save our 24/7 Emergency Number so you’re prepared in the event of a home flood!

How To Keep Your Policyholders

Posted Monday, July 30th, 2018

The claims process can make or break your relationship with your policyholder. There’s a good chance that if a claim goes south your policyholder may be shopping for another provider. On the flipside, if your policyholder has an out-of-this-world experience, you may have created a cheerleader, earning you more business from referrals.

A great relationship with your policyholder is the foundation to keeping them happy and wanting to continue to use you as their insurance provider.

Here are 5 ways you can add extra value to policyholders:

Give Them What They Want
Whatever the situation is, filing a claim with your insurance provider always has some level of stress associated with it. Whether it’s a small auto claim or a large property damage claim, your policyholders are looking for reassurance in knowing that you have their best interest in mind. Giving them the attention that they need and helping them in any way will definitely strengthen your relationship and create cheerleaders.

Stay In Front Of Them
Email is an easy and cost effective way to stay in front of your policyholders. Monthly email newsletters, tips, and videos are great ways to stay engaged with your current policyholders as well as follow up on new leads.

Email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact provide user friendly ways to build, manage, and analyze your email marketing campaigns and most of them come with built in automation features that let you send a series of emails based on how the recipient interacts with your emails.

Be Easily Accessible
This one is pretty self explanatory. Nothing is more frustrating when you are looking for answers but can’t get ahold of who you need to. Being prompt in returning phone calls and emails will build trust between you and your policyholder, even if your response is a quick “let me check on that and I’ll get back with you soon”.

Connect With Them On Social Media
Social media is another communication tool you can use to stay in front of your policyholders and provide them with extra value such as links to interesting articles, blog posts, or even as a way to notify them of flood warnings, cold snaps, and other severe weather that may impact their homes or businesses.

It’s also a great way for you and your customer to learn about each other. You may share certain interests such as camping or music that you can bring up in a casual conversation. These types of shared interests can only help strengthen your relationship with your policyholder and give them yet another reason for them to continue to use you as their insurance provider.

Choose The Right Restoration Company
You may only get one chance to make a first impression. If your policyholder has a loss, you should make sure the company you are sending out is qualified, reputable, and customer focused. I imagine it would be pretty devastating to spend so much time building this great relationship with a policyholder only to have it damaged by a company who does not meet your or your policyholder’s expectations.

Modernistic has been helping Michigan homeowners and businesses recover from water, fire, wind, and storm damage for over 45 years. Our certified restoration team is dedicated to providing 100% Customer Delight to every customer, every time.
Want to learn more about our expert professional restoration team? Click here!

Here’s How Much Damage Water Can Do To A Basement

Posted Tuesday, July 24th, 2018

99.99% of the time, you don’t have to worry about water damage in your basement. A dry basement is a fantastic family hangout spot, almost always available for your family’s use. Unfortunately, if you’re one of the 60% of homes at risk for basement water damage (according to the American Society of Home Inspectors), your dry comfortable family hangout room might be at risk for flooding – and it could cost you thousands. You may be asking yourself “How much damage can water do to a basement?” The answer: more than you might think!

Water Categories: Clean, Grey, Black

Floodwater comes in three different categories of contamination:

Category 1 – Clean water
Category 2 – Grey water
Category 3 – Black water

As you can probably guess, Category 1 – Clean water is the least contaminated type of floodwater. Clean water can come from faucets, bathtubs, or fresh rainwater and has been sitting for less than 24 hours.

Category 2 – Grey water has non-pathogenic contaminants. While not immediately dangerous, these contaminants can still cause illness or discomfort. Washing machine overflows, aquarium water, and washing machine leaks are all examples of grey water flooding.

Category 3 – Black water has pathogenic contamination and is unsanitary. Sewage, chemical waste, and any water sitting for over 72 hours are all considered black water situations.

Time is of the essence when it comes to floodwater, because even Clean water can become Grey and then Black water if it sits for too long since contamination happens over time.

Flooded Basement Damage Timeline

The damage water can do to a basement isn’t limited to contamination, however. Water itself can be very destructive. Here’s how a flood will damage your basement over time:

In 60 minutes…
Water begins saturating porous materials, like wood, drywall, and carpeting. Anything made of cardboard or other paper products is destroyed. Carpet and carpet padding become saturated with water, spreading moisture into areas not affected by the initial flooding.

In 4 hours…
Furniture and other wood materials begin to delaminate and swell at this point. The increased humidity begins amplifying any organic odors present in the basement, giving off that telltale “musty” smell. Drywall often becomes unsalvageable after this amount of time.

In 1 day…
Mold and other contaminants can start growing in as little as 24 hours and can spread to unaffected surfaces. Wood will start to warp, leaving hardwood floors damaged beyond repair. Paint and wallpaper will begin bubbling and peeling.

In 1 week…
Mold and other fungi will saturate any porous materials they come in contact with and will become hazardous to an occupant’s health. Category 1 water has become Category 3 at this point, and any materials it has affected will either need to be thrown out or need extensive restorative work. The entire basement becomes a biohazard, significantly increasing cleanup costs.

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Needless to say, the easiest category of water to clean up is Category 1 – Clean water. Cleaning up clean water flood can be as simple as extracting and placing drying equipment. As water moves up the contamination spectrum, restoration costs rise significantly. Extra contamination means extra risk for your family and your home, significantly increasing how much damage water can do to a basement – and your wallet!

To prevent this escalation of cleanup costs, call an emergency water mitigation professional as soon as you notice water damage in your basement! The last thing you want to do is wait too long and end up with a lengthy and costly repair process.

Modernistic has been keeping Michigan’s basements dry for over 45 years! Click here to learn more about what you can do to prevent water damage in your home, and contact us right away if you have a flood in your basement!

Tips for Flood Proofing Your Basement

Posted Wednesday, June 13th, 2018

There are many reasons your basement could end up looking like a bowl of soup (especially during Michigan’s rainy season). But don’t panic! There are definitely a few easy things you can do proactively to prevent your basement from flooding; a few simple tips for flood proofing your basement before you’ve got a wet mess on your hands and the lower section of your house looks like grandma’s minestrone!

Where Did That Water Come From!?

A weak foundation is more often than not one of the primary causes of water finding its way into your basement. We know when people hear “Foundation Issues”, many homeowners want to throw your hands up in the air and start looking for a new home. You should have a foundation specialist out to your home to work on any cracks or slivers in the concrete that might let in water.

Professionals aside, there are safeguards you can take on your own to help to protect your basement. One of the easiest things you can address on your own is the framing around windows at the main level. These windows can often be the main cause of rain water leaking in to the basement. With a quick trip to the hardware store, you can pick up some basic caulking to apply to any slight openings or gaps to limit the odds of any flooding.

One fail safe way to help protect your basement from troublesome basement windows is to seal them completely. Many basements will have small windows resting just above ground level, which don’t really provide much of a view or light to begin with. In these cases you may want to seal these windows from the outside. Some basic masonry work should do the trick, covering them with properly-sealed bricks over the window openings.

As always, if you don’t feel comfortable doing any of these projects yourself, consult a professional!

Just In Case

Sump pump, sump pump, sump pump…. It’s so much fun to say! Really we could say it over and over again and still not have said it enough. Chances are good you already have a sump pump in your basement. If not, you should look into getting one; with all our rivers, lakes, and wetlands, every home in Michigan should probably have a sump pump! Even if you already have one, you’re not quite done yet. Since it’s out of sight and out of mind, it’s easy to forget about your sump pump. But you should be checking up on it at least every 3-6 months to make sure it is operating in tip top shape – otherwise, you may walk downstairs to do some laundry and discover a lot more may need cleaning!

Backup and Detection

Having backup plans are a good thing for anyone. Basement floods, particularly, would be a perfect thing for which to have a backup plan. We’ve already gone over sump pumps, but what about a back up for your sump pump? Having a second battery-powered sump pump backup should be required for anyone living in a flood zone, or if you frequently suffer power outages. A failed sump pump due to a power outage is another incredibly common issue that can make you wish water didn’t exist. Installing a backup for your sump pump can be crucial to avoiding a major financial burden.

Another thing you can do to help to detect the moment you might have a problem on your hands is to purchase a smart water leak detector for your home. There are many products on the market now that can alert you to water leaks in your home so you can take action before things get too crazy. Many of these new devices even have apps that can connect to the detector and alert you wherever you are on your smartphone.

Armed with these simple tips for flood proofing your basement, you can be confident that you’ve done everything you can to prevent your basement from ending up like the one in the picture at the top of this article. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, you should be much better prepared for avoiding the most common basement flooding problems.

It’s impossible to cover every flooding scenario of course, so if you ever do have a flood in your home, just know that the water damage experts at Modernistic are just a phone call away! 24/7/365, we’ll be there for your basement flooding emergencies.

Storm damage? Here are your first steps.

Posted Thursday, October 6th, 2016

Storms are coming, Haslett. Are you ready?

Seasonal changes always bring story weather. While it’s important to protect yourself before the storm, what can you do after the damage is done? We know it’s a stressful time, so here are your first steps for tackling storm damage once the weather clears.

Safety first

If you see downed power lines, call 911 and the power company right away. Don’t touch the power lines, and keep your children and pets away.

If your house has electrical problems and flooding, turn off the power. Because water conducts electricity, stepping into a flooded basement with an electrical problem can cause serious injury or death. Turn off the power even if the power’s out—you don’t know when it will come back on, and you don’t want to be standing in water when it does.

Document all damage

Are your rugs stained from flood damage? Is your window cracked from the wind? Is your paint bubbling? What does your crawl space and attic look like? Are your roof shingles intact? Starty by taking photos, videos, and notes of all the damage and compile them into a detailed, itemized list. Then write down the date and time of the storm, and find news articles showing the storm hitting your area. This will come in handy when talking to your insurance company.

Call the insurance

Find out what your insurance policy covers. Michigan law allows homeowners to purchase insurance for flood damage and tree or debris removal in addition to their standard insurance policy. Every time you speak with the company or an agent, write down the date of the conversation and what you discussed. Then submit your itemized list of damages along with other required paperwork to make a claim.

Clean quickly and thoroughly

Time is of the essence in any cleanup job. Bacteria and mold love to grow in warm, damp, dark places, and they can flourish under your carpet and on the walls after a storm. Mold can be especially dangerous for people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems.

In order to prevent mold and bacteria from spreading, keep wet areas open and well-ventilated. Open windows, crank up the dehumidifier, and disinfect to keep the microorganisms from spreading.

Bring in a professional team

If there is significant damage to your home, cleanup with be a big job and you’ll need help. At Modernistic, our 24/7 emergency response team is ready to be at your home, helping you repair damage in your hour of need. Our truck-mounted water extraction system will get the water out of your home, and our moisture mapping technology will ensure that we don’t miss any areas of potential mold growth. We can also work with your insurance company to help provide you peace of mind and help you get back in your home as quickly as possible.

How to prepare your house for a storm

Posted Wednesday, September 14th, 2016

Sterling Heights: what steps should you take to guard your home before the storm hits?

They say in Michigan that if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. And that’s true: the weather is changeable, and a big storm can hit with little warning, leaving you with very little time to prepare. However, there are steps you can take to be prepared in the event of a storm. How ready are you?

Make your emergency preparations before an emergency strikes.

You don’t wait to buy a first aid kit till you actually need one—by then it’s too late. Storm preparation in Michigan is the same way: they come in fast, and by the time you know one’s coming it’s too late to stock up. Take a moment to think about a big storm heading your way: what would you need now that you don’t have?

Invest in a generator.

If your house is at risk for flooding, make sure you have a generator installed and hooked up to your sump pump that will automatically turn on in case of a power failure. Otherwise, if the power fails while you’re away from home, you may return to a nasty situation. Gasoline generators usually need to be turned on manually, and will require you to have gas at hand for them to run. Whatever solution you chose, be sure you know how to start it and have the necessary fuel to get it running.

Where do you store your important items?

Many families store important documents in their basement, as it’s a seemingly obvious storage space. But if your basement floods, you could lose the documents you hoped to protect. If that still seems like the most reasonable choice, store them on a high shelf in a water-safe box.

Trim back trees near your home.

If you have a large tree near your house with branches close enough to touch, trim them back. A strong wind can cause those branches to knock against your home, causing damage to roofs, windows, and siding. If the tree seems to be in poor health, cut it down before it falls through your living room.

Clear away debris.

Make sure your gutters and downpipes drain properly: if they’re clogged, they could contribute to basement flooding. Also take time to clear debris from your yard. A fallen branch, or even toys left outside, can turn into a dangerous projectile during a storm.

Know who to call for damage control.

If a big storm hits and damages your home, you don’t want to be scrambling to find help last-minute. An emergency is a stressful time to make big decisions, and you want your home in good hands. Modernistic is at hand 24/7 to help repair your home after a big storm. So keep our number handy, and if you need us, we’ll be there.

Protect your home from basement flooding

Posted Monday, September 12th, 2016

Preventative measures will help limit the damage of flooding in your home.

Midland is no stranger to flooding. Like many Michigan cities, it boasts a network of lakes, streams, and wetlands, all of which contribute to a high water table. Not to mention the Tittabawassee River has been known to spill its banks. If you’ve experience basement flooding in the past, or if you’ve recently moved to the Midland area and would like to protect your new home, here are some preventative measures to take to limit the likelihood of basement flooding.

1. Make sure water flows away from your foundation.

When water begins to pool near your foundation, it increases the risk of basement flooding. Take some time after the next rainfall to check for any standing water near the base of your house. If you notice frequent pooling near your foundation after a rainfall, consider re-grading your lot to improve water flow. Keep your gutters, downspouts, and roof drains clear, and make sure they drain far away from your home.

2. Install a sump pump.

Sump pumps work by collecting potential flood waters into a basin, and then pumping them away from your home. They can be especially useful if your home’s foundation lies below the water table. To be extra secure, install a backup sump pump and an emergency generator so that your sump pumps will work even if you lose power.

3. Install a check valve.

Rainwater isn’t the only thing that can leak into your home. During a heavy rainfall, sewer lines can back up. A check valve makes sure that the sewer doesn’t back up all the way to your basement! They’re also one of the most affordable preventative measures you can take.

4. Limit your losses if flooding does occur.

Even after all these measures, your basement may still be at risk for flooding. However, you can limit the damage by storing important documents on a different floor or on higher shelving. Also consider hiring an electrician from a directory like https://www.electricianinperth.com.au to move your power outlets higher up the wall. Many homeowners use their basements as default storage spaces, but make sure anything valuable is stored high off the basement floor.

More information to protect your home from basement flooding

The City of Midland provides more information their website for how you can protect your home from basement flooding. And if the worst happens, Modernistic’s flooding restoration team is available 24/7 to respond to your emergency.

What to do if your basement floods

Posted Thursday, August 11th, 2016

Don’t worry, Kalamazoo, we’ve got your back.

Summers in Michigan are times of extreme weather shifts: scorching hot for days on end, and then a sudden storm barreling through from off the lakes. This leaves many areas around Michigan at risk for flooding, and river valleys such as Kalamazoo face extra risk.

If you’ve dealt with basement flooding in the past, you know it can be messy and expensive to clean up. However, you can mitigate the damage if you act quickly and call a professional. If you find water in your basement, here’s what you should do first.

1. Shut off all power

This is the absolute first priority. Do not go anywhere near flooded water in your basement until you are certain that there is no danger of electrical shock. If you are not certain how to turn off the power in your basement, contact someone who can do this for you.

2. Call a professional and contact your insurance

If there’s any significant level of standing water in your basement, you’re going to want a professional to help. Not only are they better qualified to assess damage and make safety recommendations, but they will be better equipped to handle the cleanup quickly and efficiently.

Also call your insurance company and file a claim. Keep track of all your information so that you can work with your cleanup team more efficiently.

3. Wear protective clothing

Depending on the source of your basement flooding and when you discovered it, the water in your basement could be quite dangerous. It could contain sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants. Definitely wear a face mask as well as rubber boots and gloves if you enter the flooded area.

4. Start pumping water out

Find out the source of the flooding and make sure no more water is leaking into your basement. Use a sump pump, a pool pump, a wet/dry vacuum, or (if there’s not a lot of water) a mop and bucket. If you don’t have these items, a professional can help.

5. Dispose of anything that could grow mold

Move dry items somewhere safe. Books, cardboard, and electronics are particularly vulnerable. Don’t touch anything that has already gotten wet, as you risk spreading mold to other parts of your house. Clothes and bedding can usually be washed, but will require special treatment to remove mold. You will have to dispose of anything that takes longer than 24–48 hours to dry, or which can’t be thoroughly cleaned once it is dry, as it poses a significant mold risk.

We can help you with emergency restoration if your basement floods

No homeowner wants to come home to a flooded basement. Depending on the damage, it can be a very upsetting time. The best solution, practically and emotionally, is to move quickly and get help as soon as possible.

At Modernistic, we are available 24/7 to respond to your flood emergency, and our aim is to have a cleanup crew at your door within 60 to 90 minutes. Our IICRC- and RIA-certified technicians can handle every stage of the cleanup, bringing you peace of mind and returning your life to normal as quickly as possible.

If you need our help, contact us immediately.