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Basement guide

Water in Your Des Moines Basement? Here Is What to Do Now

Pipe, sump pump, water heater, floor drain or rain: the first steps are the same. Here is the order, and what not to do.

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Last updated · Written by the Elite Restoration Services of Iowa team

I have water in my basement. What do I do now?

Stay out of the water if there is any electrical risk, stop the source if you safely can, photograph everything, and call your insurance company. Then get the water extracted and the basement dried. The EPA says mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. Our phone is answered 24/7: 515-216-4293.

What to do, in order

  1. Safety first

    Do not wade in near outlets, cords or appliances. Gas smell: leave and call 911 or your gas utility.

  2. Find the source

    Burst or frozen pipe, failed sump pump, water heater, floor drain or seepage after rain. Shut the main water valve if it is a supply line.

  3. Is it sewage?

    Water from a floor drain or toilet is likely Category 3. Keep people and pets out. See sewage backup cleanup.

  4. Photos and video

    Before anything is moved or thrown out.

  5. Call your insurer

    Open the claim and ask about water backup coverage.

  6. Get it extracted and dried

    Extraction, drying equipment and moisture readings, documented for your adjuster.

Common causes in Des Moines basements

Water in your basement right now?

Call any hour. The on-site inspection is free, with no obligation, within our service area.

Call 515-216-4293 Request a free inspection

Free, no-obligation inspection within our service area. Work is billed only if you approve it in a signed work authorization.

What not to do

  • Don't use a household vacuum on standing water
  • Don't run the furnace fan if sewage is involved
  • Don't paint or patch drywall until it reads dry
  • Don't throw out damaged items before they are photographed

Insurance

Only your policy and adjuster can say what is covered. The usual order:

  1. Make the area safe and stop the source

    Shut off the water or wait for the fire department to release the building. Call 911 first for any fire, gas smell or electrical danger.

  2. Call your insurance company

    Opening the claim early lets you ask what your carrier needs from you. Only your policy and adjuster can say what is covered.

  3. Call Elite for a free inspection

    Our phone is answered 24/7. We look at what got wet or smoke-damaged and explain what it needs before any work is authorized.

  4. Document as we go

    Photos, moisture readings and a written scope are kept for the job, which is the record your adjuster reviews.

  5. Pick your repair contractor

    Once mitigation is done, the file goes to the contractor you choose.

You choose who does your repairs

Elite handles the emergency side: stopping further damage, drying and cleaning, and documenting the job. When it is time to rebuild, the choice of contractor is yours. Our photos, moisture logs and scope go to whichever contractor you pick, so nobody has to start from scratch.

  • You are never required to use any particular repair contractor
  • Your documentation goes with you: photos, moisture logs and a written scope
  • Work is billed only if you approve it in a signed work authorization
  • We're not a public adjuster, so we don't negotiate or settle claims

Serving the Des Moines metro

Our office is at 751 NE 46th Ave in Des Moines.

Related reading

Straight answers

Basement water: questions people ask

Don't see yours? Call 515-216-4293 any hour and ask.

Who do I call for water in my basement in Des Moines?

For the water damage: a restoration company. Elite Restoration Services of Iowa is an IICRC Certified Firm based in Des Moines, with the phone answered 24/7 and a free inspection. For the cause, you may also need a plumber.

Is basement water covered by insurance?

It depends on the cause and your policy. Many policies treat sudden pipe bursts differently from groundwater or sewer backup. Ask your adjuster.

How long does a basement take to dry?

It depends on the materials and how wet they got. We go by moisture readings, not the calendar.

Is the inspection free?

Yes, within our service area, with no obligation.

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC and M&B Contractor Services LLC have the same owners. If you need repairs or rebuilding after mitigation, M&B is one option, but you are never required to use M&B. You are free to choose any contractor, and your choice will not affect the mitigation services Elite provides. We share your information with M&B only with your permission.

About Elite Restoration Services of Iowa

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC is a locally owned, independent restoration company at 751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313, offering water, fire and smoke, mold, storm and sewage damage restoration. It has been fully operating since February 2026. Elite is an IICRC Certified Firm, BBB A+ accredited and Iowa registered contractor #C151765. Phone 515-216-4293, answered 24/7.

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  • 751 NE 46th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313
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  • Your choice of repair contractor

Free on-site inspections within our service area in the Des Moines metro and Central Iowa; ask us about any limits when you call. The inspection is free with no obligation. Mitigation, lab testing, and repair work are billed only if you approve them in a signed work authorization.

Elite Restoration Services of Iowa, LLC and M&B Contractor Services LLC have the same owners. If you need repairs or rebuilding after mitigation, M&B is one option, but you are never required to use M&B. You are free to choose any contractor, and your choice will not affect the mitigation services Elite provides. We share your information with M&B only with your permission.

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