All Posts

Most homeowners never think about their attic — until there's a problem. No living space up there, no reason to go up. But in Iowa, that out-of-sight space becomes one of the most vulnerable spots in your home once summer humidity sets in. At Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, attic mold calls pick up every year between June and August. The conditions are almost always the same: heat, trapped moisture, and a ventilation problem that nobody caught until the mold was already c

IICRC certified Elite Restoration technician running air scrubbers and fogging the containment zone in a West Des Moines home. What Happened A homeowner in West Des Moines contacted Elite Restoration after discovering mold had spread through multiple rooms of their home. Mold spreads through airborne spores — which means once it takes hold in one area it can quickly contaminate adjacent spaces if not properly contained. This is exactly why a professional response matters from

Elite Restoration crew in full PPE removing sewage-contaminated flooring in an Ankeny home. What Happened A homeowner in Ankeny called us after a drain backup sent raw sewage across their finished basement floor. By the time we arrived the sewage had already penetrated under the vinyl plank flooring and was sitting on the concrete slab beneath. This is exactly the kind of situation where every hour matters. Why Sewage Backup Is a Category 3 Emergency Sewage is classified as C

Hidden attic mold found during a buyer’s inspection can delay or derail a sale. A free pre-listing inspection helps protect your equity and keeps your closing on schedule. Selling a home in the busy Des Moines real estate market means managing many moving parts. One unexpected issue that can stall a sale is hidden attic mold. As local property restoration and mold remediation specialists, we offer free, fast attic mold inspections designed to fit tight real estate timelines.

Des Moines homeowners can prevent Memorial Day weekend basement flooding by testing sump pumps, clearing downspouts, and ensuring proper grading around their homes before spring storms hit. Memorial Day weekend often marks the start of summer celebrations, but in Des Moines, it also coincides with the high humidity and heavy spring rains that can lead to basement flooding. As a local property restoration expert certified under the IICRC S500 standard, I want to share practica

To prevent mold after a basement sump pump failure in the Des Moines metro, you must extract the water and drop the relative humidity below 60% within 24 to 48 hours. Professional structural drying is required to protect finished drywall and framing from toxic mold growth. Basement sump pump failures can quickly turn into a homeowner’s nightmare, especially in finished basements. In Des Moines, where older neighborhoods like Beaverdale and Sherman Hill face foundation seepage

The first 24 hours after water or mold damage are critical to prevent permanent harm. In Iowa’s climate, acting fast can save your property from costly repairs and long-term issues. Understanding the 2026 Spring Flood Outlook for Des Moines Spring in Des Moines brings the risk of flooding, especially along the Des Moines River and Raccoon River. The 2026 flood outlook predicts above-average rainfall during May and early June, increasing the chance of basement seepage and sump

Finding water in your basement can be stressful. It’s a problem that needs quick action to avoid bigger issues like mold or structural damage. We understand how overwhelming it feels because we live right here in the same Des Moines neighborhoods we serve. As a locally owned and operated water mitigation and restoration company, we want to guide you through what to do next calmly and clearly. Why Acting Fast Matters: The Golden Hours When water enters your basement, time is

With severe thunderstorms forecasted for Des Moines through Monday, sump pump failure is the leading cause of basement flooding in Polk County. Ensure your backup battery is charged and discharge lines are clear of debris to handle the projected 1-2 inches of rainfall. Storms are coming to Des Moines, and the National Weather Service has issued a 72-hour alert from May 14th to 18th. This means heavy rain and strong winds could hit our neighborhoods, including Ankeny and West

If a fire strikes your home or business, act fast. Call 911, ensure everyone is safe, and contact a professional fire restoration service immediately. The first 48 hours are critical to prevent permanent damage from acidic soot and corrosion. The 48-Hour Corrosion Window When fire damage occurs in Des Moines, the clock starts ticking. Our local spring humidity mixes with soot particles to create an acidic compound. This acid can cause acid etching, a chemical reaction that da

Spring in Des Moines brings fresh starts and new challenges. For property managers, it means preparing for the annual cleanup season while navigating the complexities of trash removal and water damage safety. In 2026, this task is more manageable thanks to local city programs and updated industry standards. Let’s walk through what you need to know to handle spring cleanup effectively, protect your properties, and keep tenants safe. What You Need to Know for Spring Cleanup in

When disaster strikes, whether it’s a burst pipe flooding your basement or a fire damaging your commercial property, knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference. We’ve all heard stories of homes and businesses suffering long-term damage because the initial response wasn’t handled properly. That’s why understanding emergency restoration protocols is so important. Together, we can walk through the essential steps to protect your property and get things back to n

When disaster strikes your home or business, whether it’s water damage, fire damage, or mold growth, the last thing you want is uncertainty about the quality of restoration work. That’s why working with a company certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a smart choice. But what does it really mean when a firm is IICRC certified? And how does having someone on the team who holds the prestigious IICRC Triple Master certificatio

Using outdoor spigots is a common part of home maintenance. We often connect hoses to water the lawn, wash the car, or fill a pool. But what many homeowners don’t realize is that these spigots can sometimes be the source of serious water damage inside the home. Water leaks or bursts from outdoor faucets can lead to hidden problems like mold growth and structural damage. In this post, I want to share what we’ve learned about preventing water damage related to outdoor spigots.

Dealing with a flooded basement or a failed sump pump? Read Elite Restoration's emergency guide to surviving Central Iowa storms. Learn exactly what to do to protect your home while our 24/7 rapid-response team is en route to your Des Moines or Waukee property.

💡 DIRECTOR’S PRO TIP: "If you’re in Ankeny or Waukee, the soil saturation levels right now are hitting critical mass. Most basement floods we see this week aren't caused by bad luck—they are caused by a lack of mechanical redundancy. If your sump pump is older than 5 years, it’s not a matter of if it will fail, but when. We always recommend a dual-pump system with a battery backup to protect your finished basement from a 2:00 AM spring downpour." As the ground thaws and the

DIRECTOR’S PRO TIP: "If you smell mold but can’t see it, do not start cutting holes in your drywall blindly. This can aerosolize mold spores and contaminate your entire HVAC system. Always start with a non-invasive thermal imaging scan to locate the moisture source first." In the humid Iowa summers or after a heavy snow melt in Waukee and Ankeny, many homeowners report a lingering "earthy" or musty odor. In the restoration industry, we know that odor is a secondary gas releas

When property damage strikes, response time and technical precision are everything. Whether you are facing a flooded basement in Ankeny, storm damage in Altoona, or a complex commercial loss in Downtown Des Moines, Elite Restoration Services of Iowa is ready to respond. TIP: "If you experience a leak, do not just turn on a fan. Improper drying can trap moisture behind baseboards, leading to secondary mold growth in as little as 48 hours. Always call for a professional moistu

Ice Dams in Des Moines: The Silent Roof Killer (and How to Stop It) For homeowners in Des Moines, the sight of massive icicles hanging from the gutters is often seen as a "winter aesthetic." But at [Your Company Name], with our team’s 70 years of combined restoration experience, we know those icicles are a warning sign of a much more expensive problem: The Ice Dam. Following the record-breaking snowfall and bitter temperature swings we’ve seen this February 2026, ice dams hav