Signs you need help now
- Rainwater driving through window frames, patio sliders, or basement egress windows
- Ceilings dripping or drywall staining rapidly following an intense cloudburst or hail storm
- Water intruding along exterior wall sills, baseboards, or through sliding glass tracks
- Damp, wet carpet padding along building exterior walls facing windward storm paths
- Basement floor drains gurgling or backing up under sudden municipal storm line pressure
Do this while you call
- Never step near electrical cords, outlets, or appliances in areas where rainwater has pooled indoors.
- Do not climb onto a wet roof during or after a storm; roof inspection is dangerous and belongs to roofing trades.
- Position clean buckets or catch basins beneath ceiling drips to protect furniture and subfloors from further water.
- Take dated photographs of exterior storm conditions and indoor water entry points for insurance claim records.
If anyone is in danger, there is fire, or you smell gas, leave the building and call 911 first.
What an independent provider typically does
- High-powered extraction units remove pooled rainwater from carpeting, tile, and basement concrete slabs.
- Wet insulation, saturated ceiling drywall, and water-damaged perimeter trim are evaluated and stabilized.
- Moisture meters identify whether wind-driven moisture penetrated exterior insulation envelopes.
- Antimicrobial treatments are applied to prevent bacterial development from exterior stormwater particulates.
- Commercial dehumidifiers extract air moisture to prevent secondary swelling of interior framing and trim.
Exact steps depend on the provider and your situation. Confirm availability, service scope and pricing with them directly.
What is not included
This service covers indoor storm water mitigation, extraction, and structural drying. It does not include exterior roof repairs, shingle replacement, flashing maintenance, or emergency roof tarping, which are handled by roofing trade contractors.
Commerce City notes
Commerce City experiences intense convective thunderstorms between late spring and early autumn. Cloudbursts can drop two inches of rain within forty-five minutes, overwhelming neighborhood storm ditches and municipal catch basins along Highway 2 and 104th Avenue.
In communities like Reunion, Belle Creek, and Buffalo Mesa, high-velocity winds can drive rain horizontally against exterior stucco and siding joints. In older areas like Derby and Rose Hill, mature landscaping and saturated ground can route overland runoff directly toward lower foundation walls.
Insurance carriers often evaluate wind-driven rain differently from rising surface floodwater. Independent local restoration contractors document entry vectors thoroughly so homeowners have clear evidence for insurance adjusters.
Not sure what your policy covers? Read our water damage insurance guide, and check coverage areas on the service areas page.
Questions about storm water damage
Does homeowners insurance cover storm water that enters indoors?
Coverage frequently depends on how water entered the structure. Wind-driven rain entering through a storm-created opening is often covered, whereas ground surface runoff may be excluded. Verify with your carrier.
What should be done with soaked ceiling insulation after a storm?
Saturated insulation loses thermal value and holds moisture directly against ceiling joists. It should be photographed for claims and removed to allow wood framing to dry properly.
Why is commercial dehumidification critical after stormwater leaks?
Stormwater raises indoor relative humidity to near 100%. Without commercial dehumidifiers extracting water vapor, condensation forms on cool indoor surfaces, triggering mold growth within 24 to 48 hours.
Who sets the price for storm water drying services?
The independent restoration contractor who inspects your property determines project scope and pricing. This referral line does not establish contractor pricing.
Public sources and guidance
- Adams County Office of Emergency Management: Flood Threats (opens in a new tab) - local flood hazard information
- City of Commerce City: Stormwater Runoff Management (opens in a new tab) - local drainage and storm sewer information
- CDC: Reentering Your Flooded Home (opens in a new tab) - electrical and structural safety after indoor flooding