Questions Sullivan homeowners ask before the crew arrives
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do in the first ten minutes, why basements take water here, how drying and repairs work, and what the insurer will want. Calls are answered 24/7 and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Burst pipes, wet basements, ice dams
- Estimate approved before work starts
- Moisture readings and photos for your claim
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
The first ten minutes
Where is the main shut-off in a Sullivan house?
Ask us on the call. It is usually where the service line enters the house, often near the meter. Find it on a dry day and label it, because looking for it with water running is the worst time.
Should I switch off the power myself?
Only if the panel is dry and you can reach it without standing in water. If water is near outlets, cords or the panel, leave the breaker alone and tell the crew when it calls.
Why Sullivan basements take water
Why do basements flood in the spring thaw?
Snowmelt and frozen ground push water toward the foundation. When a sump pump cannot keep up, or loses power in a storm, the basement fills. The nearest official stations, Milwaukee and Madison, average about 49 and 52 inches of snow a year (NWS 1991-2020 normals).
Can an ice dam bring water through the ceiling?
Yes. Heat leaking into the attic melts roof snow, the melt refreezes at the eaves, and water backs up under the shingles. The Wisconsin Historical Society suggests about one square foot of net free ventilation per 150 square feet of attic floor, split between soffit and roof, plus air sealing.
Did the 2008 floods reach this part of Wisconsin?
Yes. The USGS documented severe flooding across southern Wisconsin in June 2008, with the Rock and Crawfish rivers among the worst. Its report names Jefferson and Watertown.
Drying and repairs
How long does drying take?
It depends on the materials and the readings. Drying stops when the wood, plaster and subfloor reach their dry goal on the meter, not after a set number of days.
Who repairs the pipe or the water heater?
A plumber. Wisconsin requires a DSPS plumbing licence for plumbing work, with exemptions for some owner-occupied homes and minor repairs. Check the plumber's credential with the Department of Safety and Professional Services and ask the local inspector what permit the repair needs.
Insurance and paperwork
Will my homeowners policy pay for a sewer backup?
Often not on its own. Wisconsin's OCI fact sheet PI-237 says sewer backup and sump-pump overflow are generally not covered by standard homeowners or flood insurance without a special endorsement. Your insurer and policy decide coverage, so call early.
What can the crew give me for the insurer?
Moisture readings at each visit, dated photographs taken before anything is moved, and a log of what was removed. Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them if the adjuster asks.
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.