Basement Flood Cleanup in Englewood, CO

Basements in Englewood take water from more directions than any other room. They sit below the soil line, they hold the water heater and washer, and in older homes they connect to sewer laterals that may be decades old. Many were finished long after the house was built, so carpet and drywall sit right on top of concrete that was never meant to stay dry.

What basement flood cleanup includes

• Pumping and extracting standing water
• Checking for electrical, gas and structural hazards
• Identifying the water source and category (clean, gray or sewage)
• Moisture mapping of walls, floors and framing
• Removing wet carpet pad and, when needed, carpet
• Cutting out drywall above the wet line when it can't be dried in place
• Drying the slab, foundation walls and wood framing
• Antimicrobial treatment where mold is a risk
• Photos and drying logs for your insurance claim

Why Englewood basements flood

Snowmelt and spring storms. When the ground is saturated, water finds cracks in older foundations and the joint where the wall meets the floor.

Sump pump failure. Pumps fail from power outages, stuck float switches and age. Homes without a battery backup are most at risk during storms, when outages are common.

Sewer backups. Older homes often have clay or cast iron sewer laterals that roots can crack and block. When the line backs up, the lowest drain in the house overflows first. That's usually a basement floor drain. See sewage backup cleanup.

Water heaters and washers. Both often live in the basement, so when they fail, the water stays there.

Window wells. Wells without covers or working drains can fill with rain or snowmelt and push water through the window.

Expansive soil. Parts of the Front Range have clay soils that swell when wet and shrink when dry. The Colorado Geological Survey notes this can crack foundations and let water in.

How we dry a flooded basement

• Make it safe. Confirm the power is off to wet areas and check for gas or structural issues.
• Remove the water. Pumps and extractors take out standing water and pull it from carpet.
• Sort materials. Decide what can be dried in place and what needs to go, based on the water category and how long it sat.
• Open the walls if needed. A flood cut a few inches above the wet line lets air reach the framing and insulation.
• Dry the concrete. Slabs and block walls hold a lot of water and need strong dehumidification.
• Check daily. Readings guide where to move equipment until every area hits its target.
• Rebuild. New pad, drywall, base and paint once the space is dry.

What affects the cost of basement flood cleanup

DIY or call a pro?

If an inch of clean water hit an unfinished concrete floor and you caught it quickly, a wet vac and a good dehumidifier may be enough. Our dehumidifier guide explains what size you'd need.

Call for professional basement flood cleanup when the basement is finished, the water came from a sewer or from outside, it sat for more than a day, or you notice a musty smell after it seemed dry.

Insurance and flood coverage

The cause decides the coverage. A burst pipe or failed water heater is usually covered under a standard homeowners policy. Water that came in from outside is typically considered flood, which needs a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Sewer and drain backups are often excluded unless you added a water backup endorsement. Check your declarations page, and read our guide on filing a water damage insurance claim.