Flooded Basement Cleanup in Des Moines

What about finished basements?

Water often wicks up drywall and runs under the bottom plate. Carpet can sometimes be dried in place after a clean-water loss; pad is often replaced. Anything soaked with sewage or floodwater is generally removed.

How is a flooded basement usually dried?

Free on-site inspection and moisture mapping, extraction, removal of what can't be dried, then air movers and dehumidifiers with moisture checks until materials are dry, following the IICRC S500 standard. Elite is an IICRC Certified Firm, and we have an IICRC Triple Master on staff.

1. 1

   Inspect and measure

   Moisture meters show where the water actually went, which is often farther than the stain.

2. 2

   Extract

   Standing water is pulled out of carpet, pad and hard floors.

3. 3

   Remove what can't be dried

   Soaked pad or drywall that has wicked water is often removed so the structure behind it can dry.

4. 4

   Dry and monitor

   Air movers and dehumidifiers run while moisture is checked until materials reach a dry standard.

Is it water damage or flood damage for insurance?

Many homeowner policies treat sudden water (a burst pipe) differently from surface flooding or groundwater, and sump or drain backup is often a separate endorsement. Only your policy and adjuster decide. We document the job with photos, moisture logs and a scope of the work, and you choose who does your repairs. We're not a public adjuster, so we don't negotiate or settle claims.

Where can I read more?

These pages and guides cover related problems. We serve Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, Urbandale and the rest of the metro. See insurance claims help, reviews or contact us.

• Sump pump failure cleanup
• Sewage backup cleanup
• Sump pump failure checklist
• Water damage restoration