Three common causes
Sioux Falls water damage usually starts in one of three places. Deep cold freezes pipes: NOAA lists a 50-year frost depth of 102 inches and about 75 freeze-thaw cycles a year. Heavy storms overwhelm gutters and window wells; the station's 100-year rainfall rate is 3.5 inches per hour. And severe wind, like the September 10–11, 2019 storms that brought 80 to 100 mph winds and three brief EF-2 tornadoes within the city, can open roofs and windows to the rain. Basements take the worst of all three.
The first hour
1. Stop the source. Shut off the main water valve for a pipe break. For storm water, check sump pumps and clear window wells if it is safe. 2. Cut the power to the basement at the breaker if water is near outlets, the furnace or the water heater, and only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. 3. Document the water, its source and everything it touched, with photos and video.
The first day
- Contact your insurer and get a claim number. Ask about coverage for sewer or sump backup, which is often a separate endorsement.
- Make temporary repairs to stop more damage: tarp a roof opening, board a broken window, pump out standing water.
- Start drying with fans and dehumidifiers. In winter, keep the house heated so pipes and drying materials do not freeze.
What South Dakota's regulator advises
South Dakota's Division of Insurance says insurance companies must respond to all claim communications within 30 days, though that does not oblige them to pay within that time. It advises photographing damage before repairs where possible, keeping all receipts for temporary repairs, and not making permanent repairs before contacting the insurer. Follow that order: document, protect, notify, then repair.
Drying a basement
Basement drywall, carpet pad and insulation hold water for a long time. A water damage contractor should measure moisture, decide what must be removed and keep daily records. Ask about the furnace and water heater: if water reached their controls or burners, have them checked before use.
Keeping the claim on track
Keep a list of damaged belongings with photos and ages, every receipt for equipment and supplies, and notes on each call with the insurer. If you disagree with an adjuster's estimate, ask for it in writing and ask what documents would change it. The Division of Insurance can help if you have a dispute with your insurer about the claim amount or terms.
Before you rebuild
Do not finish a basement again until it is fully dry and the cause is fixed: regrade soil, extend downspouts, service the sump pump and add a battery backup if outages are common. Ask whether the repair needs a city building permit.