Royal Oak, MI Water Damage Restoration Companies Ranked: Prime Restoration First of 535

Royal Oak runs a combined sewer system. The city's own task force report says stormwater and wastewater travel in the same sewer. Some areas have separate storm sewers, yet even those empty into a combined sewer. The combined flow is treated and then discharged into the Detroit River or the Red Run Drain. Royal Oak belongs to the George W. Kuhn drainage program, which the city says aims to decrease flooded basements.

The August 11, 2014 storm hit that system hard. The task force report says it caused widespread combined sewer overflows and flooding across Southeast Michigan, with 5.04 inches of rain recorded in the sewer analysis study. The city also names everyday causes of basement water: tree roots, disposable diapers and grease obstruct the resident's cleanout, and the water then rises through cracks and floor drains.

Royal Oak says it is important that the city is notified and able to investigate while the event is taking place. The city is responsible only for the main line, and the resident is responsible for the sewer cleanout up to and including the connection. Prime Restoration works from its Birmingham Headquarters, 11 minutes from Royal Oak by road, open 24/7 with crews on site in 25 minutes.

Royal Oak has 15 historic districts that the city commission has designated. Michigan law requires a permit before any work affecting the exterior appearance of a resource is performed within a historic district. A water-damaged porch, siding or roof edge on a home inside one of those districts can therefore need approval before the repair starts. The city publishes a Designated Properties page, so an owner can check an address before any exterior repair is scheduled.

A sewer lead repair in the public right-of-way needs an engineering permit. Royal Oak says permits must be applied for by the contractor, and engineering permits applied for by the homeowner will not be accepted. The rule applies when repairing or replacing a private sewer or water lead that requires excavation under the sidewalk, greenbelt or roadway. A homeowner who hires a contractor for a backed-up lead should expect the contractor to file.

The Building Division inspects all residential rental units in accordance with the Property Maintenance Code. A landlord with a water-damaged unit therefore answers to the city as well as to a carrier. The rental inspection rule sits in the Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 556, Section 104.8. Prime Restoration documents each Royal Oak loss with photos, moisture logs and a written scope a carrier can review, and holds Michigan residential builder license #262500492.