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Medium flood risk stateIICRC Certified Pros

Water Damage Restoration
Wisconsin

IICRC-certified water damage pros across all of Wisconsin — serving 8 cities and 0 counties.

8

Cities Covered

0

Counties

$13,954

Avg US Claim

Yes ✓

NFIP Participant

  • IICRC Standards
  • Answered 24/7
  • Ask for the License
  • Independent Pros
  • No Obligation

Quick answer

Water damage restoration in Wisconsin typically runs $1,500–$8,500 for a residential job, against a national average homeowners claim of $13,954. The most common cause here is lake michigan shoreline flooding and wave action. Insurance splits the same way everywhere: a sudden burst or appliance failure is covered, water that rose from outside is not, and the difference is decided on what you photograph before anything is moved. Whatever the source, the clock is the same everywhere: mold starts on wet drywall, framing and carpet pad within 24–48 hours, so extraction and measured drying on day one is what keeps a drying job from becoming a rebuild. To hear what a certified company would charge for your address in Wisconsin, call (888) 840-6512, answered 24/7.

Press 1 for water damage or 2 for mold, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for about half a minute while it connects — that is normal, stay on. Have ready: the address with ZIP, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have opened an insurance claim.

Flood Risk Profile

Why Wisconsin Has High Water Damage Risk

Wisconsin's position between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior creates extreme weather variability. Green Bay has recorded -31F. Milwaukee's older combined sewer system overflows into basements during 1"+ rainfall events, affecting thousands of homes annually. The Wisconsin River and Rock River corridors experience regular spring flooding from snowmelt.

  • Lake Michigan shoreline flooding and wave action
  • Spring snowmelt flooding (Wisconsin River, Rock River)
  • Extreme freeze/pipe burst (Green Bay below -20F)
  • Summer severe storm flooding in Milwaukee
Winter Freeze Risk: Extreme freeze risk — Wisconsin regularly sees -20F to -30F. Green Bay and the northern half of the state face the coldest winters. Pipe freeze is a top insurance claim from November through March. Roof ice dams cause significant water intrusion in January through February.

Notable Events

Major Wisconsin Disaster Events

August 2018 southeastern Wisconsin flooding (Dane County, $50M+ damage)

June 2008 Wisconsin flooding ($750M statewide, 11 counties declared disaster)

January 2019 polar vortex — widespread pipe freeze statewide

2016 Milwaukee area basement flooding (combined sewer overflow events)

Insurance Info — Wisconsin

Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance regulates. Wisconsin has a 30-day payment requirement after proof of loss. Milwaukee has a combined sewer overflow system — basement flooding during heavy rain is a recurring issue. Add a water/sewer backup endorsement if you have a basement, especially in older Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Licensing: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Dwelling Contractor Certification required

Official FEMA Records

Wisconsin Flood History — Milwaukee County

Local Pricing

Water Damage Costs in Wisconsin

The average US homeowners water damage claim is $13,954 (Insurance Information Institute / ISO, homeowners losses by cause, 2018–2022). Final cost depends on water category, affected area, delay time, and structural damage.

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Avg insurance claim

$13,954

US average, III / ISO 2018–2022

Claim frequency

1.61 per 100

Insured homes a year, III / ISO

Minor damage (Cat 1)

$1,500–$4,000

Clean water, small area

Severe damage (Cat 3)

$8,000–$25,000+

Sewage or structural

Water Emergency in Wisconsin?

The line is answered 24/7, and the company that takes the job gives you an arrival window for your address

Wisconsin Water Damage — Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest water damage risks in Wisconsin?

The two that drive most Wisconsin claims are lake michigan shoreline flooding and wave action and spring snowmelt flooding (wisconsin river, rock river).

Both are seasonal rather than constant, so the useful move is to check the vulnerable points — supply lines, the water heater, the sump pump and the grade around the foundation — before the season that threatens them, not during it. The full risk profile and the state's notable events are further down this page.

How much does water damage restoration cost in Wisconsin?

The national average homeowners water damage claim is $13,954 (Insurance Information Institute / ISO, homeowners losses by cause, 2018–2022). What a job in Wisconsin costs depends on the water category and how long it sat.

Minor water damage (Category 1, small area) typically costs $1,500–$4,000. Severe damage involving sewage, flooding, or structural issues runs $8,000–$25,000+.

Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Wisconsin?

Standard homeowners insurance covers sudden and accidental water damage — a burst pipe, an appliance overflow, a roof that lets rain in — and does not cover flooding from outside water, which needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.

Gradual leaks and deferred maintenance are excluded everywhere. Wisconsin has its own rules on top of that, set out in the insurance note on this page, and the exclusions worth reading are the ones in your own declarations page before a loss rather than after.

How quickly can I get a water damage restoration team in Wisconsin?

As fast as a crew is free — the line is answered 24/7 and the pro gives you a real arrival window for your address on the call. That window depends on where you are in Wisconsin, what time it is, and how many jobs are already running, which is why nobody can promise you a number before they know your address.

Calling early still matters: mold begins growing within 24–48 hours of water exposure, and every hour of standing water widens the damage.

Who do I call right now for water damage?

Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.

If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.

Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7

Reviewed by Marcus Reed, IICRC WRT · Last updated: 2026-07-10

HearthDry is an independent educational resource for Wisconsin homeowners. Cost estimates reflect statewide averages. FEMA data is approximate — verify at fema.gov. Always confirm contractor licensing with Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Dwelling Contractor Certification required.