Flood and basement cleanup in Fort Collins, CO
Flooded basement cleanup in Fort Collins
Basements are where Northern Colorado water ends up: snowmelt, storms, failed sump pumps and window wells. We pump it out and start drying before it spreads.
- 24/7 pump-out
- Wet carpet and drywall removed
- Dehumidifiers and air movers
- Mold prevention
What to do first
- If water is rising, stay out of the basement. Water and electricity don't mix. If the power is on and the floor is wet, call an electrician or the utility.
- Shut off the main water valve if a pipe or water heater is the cause.
- Move valuables and electronics upstairs.
- Take photos and video before anything is moved.
- Call us, then call your insurance company.
What we do
- Pump out standing water
- Remove wet carpet, pad and drywall that can't be dried (usually the bottom 2 feet of walls or more)
- Dry the slab, framing and anything that stays with air movers and dehumidifiers
- Check moisture behind walls and under floors with meters and thermal cameras
- Treat surfaces to prevent mold
- Document everything with photos and moisture logs for your insurer
Why Northern Colorado basements flood
The Front Range gets short, intense storms, and spring snowmelt can arrive all at once. Fort Collins has seen how bad it can get: a July 1997 storm dropped 10 to 14 inches of rain in about 31 hours (NOAA), and the September 2013 flood hit Loveland, Evans, Greeley and Estes Park hard. Most basement floods are smaller than that, but they follow the same pattern: water finds the lowest place in the house.
What it costs
Water damage restoration runs about $3 to $7.50 per square foot nationally (Angi, 2026), so a 500-square-foot basement typically lands around $1,750 to $3,750 for extraction and drying, before any rebuild. Flood water counts as contaminated, so carpet and pad usually have to be replaced, which adds cost. A written scope comes first. See the water damage cost guide.
Flood insurance
Standard homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover water that comes from outside, like rising creeks or surface flooding. That takes a separate flood policy. Water from a broken pipe or appliance is typically covered, and some policies add sump pump or sewer backup coverage. Call your agent before you assume anything.
Questions about flood and basement cleanup in Fort Collins
Can I clean up a wet basement myself?
For a small clean-water spill, yes, if you dry it within 24 to 48 hours. For anything bigger, or any water that came from outside or a drain, call a pro. Missed moisture behind walls is what grows mold.
How long until it's dry?
Usually 3 to 5 days. Crews check moisture each day and remove equipment when readings are back to normal.
Does my insurance cover a flooded basement?
It depends on where the water came from. Burst pipes and appliance failures are typically covered. Surface flooding usually needs a flood policy, and sump pump failure or sewer backup is often an optional add-on.
Will I get mold?
Not if everything is dried quickly. Mold can begin to grow within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials, which is why a fast response matters.
Do you rebuild too?
Our crews handle drying and tear-out. For rebuild, they can quote the repairs or work with your contractor.