What should I do if my basement floods?

Short answer: Do not enter standing water in a basement until power to that level is off at the panel, because outlets, appliances, and the furnace are all at floor level. Identify whether water came from a supply line, a sewer backup, or outside, since that changes contamination handling. Pump and extract the water, remove wet pad and stored contents, and dry the slab, framing, and lower drywall with equipment.

Last updated September 23, 2026 · Written and reviewed by the 247 Restoration Denver field team · About 247 Restoration Denver

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Key Takeaways

Electrical hazard is the leading danger in a flooded basement, not the water itself.
Entry point determines category: supply line is clean, sewer backup and groundwater are contaminated.
Water spreads under carpet pad along the slab and wicks up the bottom of drywall.
Cardboard boxes and particleboard furniture stored on the floor are usually unsalvageable.
Sewer backup coverage often requires a separate endorsement on a homeowners policy.

Identify the Source Before Cleanup

Floor drain or toilet backing up: sewer backup, contaminated, do not extract yourself.
Water at the base of a foundation wall or under a window well: outside groundwater or runoff, treated as contaminated.
Water from a pipe, water heater, or washer: clean or gray, and usually more salvageable.
Sump pit dry while water is rising: sump pump failure or power loss.

What Gets Saved and What Does Not

Carpet can often be dried and reinstalled after clean water losses, while pad is nearly always replaced. Drywall wet at the bottom is typically cut back a foot or two so insulation can be removed and the cavity dried. Concrete slabs hold moisture and need extended drying, especially under flooring.

Stored contents on the floor are the biggest loss for most homeowners. Cardboard, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and particleboard absorb water quickly and are rarely worth restoring.

Drying a Lower Level Correctly

Basements are cool, enclosed, and often have limited air exchange, which makes them the slowest spaces to dry. Effective setups use dehumidification sized to the full volume, air movers along wall bases, and cavity access via baseboard or cove base removal. Expect four to seven days rather than the three-day residential average.

What To Do, Step By Step

Cut power to the basement at the panel before entering standing water.
Identify the entry point and stop it if it is a supply line or appliance.
Photograph and video everything, including the water line on walls and stored items.
Pump or extract the water, then remove wet pad and floor-level contents.
Have moisture readings taken on the slab, framing, and lower drywall.
Run drying equipment continuously and address the cause, whether that is a sump pump, grading, or plumbing.

Colorado and Denver Considerations

Denver metro basement flooding clusters in two seasons: spring snowmelt against foundations and summer thunderstorm runoff overwhelming window wells and at-grade doors. Many Front Range lots also have grading that has settled toward the house, and regrading or extending downspouts prevents repeats more reliably than any interior fix.

Exceptions and Important Considerations

If water is above outlet height or touching the furnace or water heater, treat the level as unsafe until an electrician or crew clears it.
Sewage backups require contaminated water procedures and protective equipment.
Finished basements with built-ins and wood flooring need specialty drying and a longer schedule.

Sources

Flooded Basement Cleanup in Denver

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