Last updated · Written by the Elite Restoration Services of Iowa team
Who can I call for water or fire damage restoration in Des Moines?
Elite Restoration Services of Iowa is a locally owned, independent restoration company at 751 NE 46th Ave in Des Moines. Its services include water, fire and smoke, mold, storm and sewage damage for homes and commercial buildings. The on-site inspection is free, and calls are answered 24/7 at 515-216-4293.
What makes restoration in Des Moines different?
Des Moines sits where the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers meet, and the city knows what water can do. During the Great Flood of 1993, the Raccoon River topped the levee on July 11 and flooded the Des Moines Water Works treatment plant. Roughly 250,000 people went about 12 days without running water, and the water wasn't declared safe to drink until July 30.
Much of the housing stock is old. The Sherman Hill Historic District, for example, is known for its Victorian-era homes, and older basements often have stone or masonry foundations, plaster walls and layers of past repairs. Those materials hold and release water differently from newer construction.
Storms hit the whole metro at once. On August 10, 2020, the derecho brought a measured 75 mph gust at Des Moines International Airport, according to the National Weather Service, with trees, roofs and power lines down across the city.
What damage do we see most in Des Moines?
These are common kinds of losses in Des Moines homes and buildings, based on local housing, weather and waterways. They're general, not a statement about any one property.
- Basement water in older homes with stone or block foundations
- Sump pump and sewer backups during heavy rain
- Frozen pipes in older, less insulated walls
- Storm damage to roofs and trees
- Smoke and soot damage in older homes, where it travels through open framing and ductwork