When the Water Came
It happened during one of those endless rainy weekends. I walked downstairs to grab something from the storage shelf, and the moment my foot hit the last step—I heard the splash. Our basement was flooded. It wasn’t feet of water, but a couple of inches was enough to soak boxes, flooring, and the bottom of the walls. We panicked. And we Googled everything from how to fix a flooded basement to emergency cleanup steps—and still felt totally unprepared.
That’s why I’m writing this. If your basement is filling with water (or has recently dried out), I hope our experience helps you move through the mess a little more confidently.
What We Got Right
Once we gathered ourselves, the first thing we did was shut off power to the basement for safety. Then we got to work removing standing water. A wet/dry vacuum and old towels helped us get most of it out. It was slow and messy, but it stopped the water from soaking in deeper.
That same day, we called a water damage restoration company. Within hours, they were there with industrial pumps, fans, and moisture readers. They explained the full water extraction process, placed fans in key areas, and monitored moisture behind the drywall. Their quick action definitely saved us from worse damage.
We also took pictures and videos of everything—soaked boxes, warped floorboards, bubbling paint. This turned out to be incredibly important when we filed an insurance claim. If there’s one piece of advice I could give anyone facing a flood, it’s this: document everything before you clean anything.
What We Missed (And Deeply Regret)
Unfortunately, we made a few missteps too. For one, we didn’t remove all the affected materials right away. A couple of rugs and a small wooden shelf seemed fine at first, so we left them. A few days later, we noticed the smell. Then the mold showed up. Dealing with mold after flooding is exhausting, and completely avoidable if you act fast.
Another mistake? We waited too long to call our insurance company. We were overwhelmed, and assumed it could wait. But many policies (like ours) require notification within 48 hours. That delay created unnecessary back-and-forth and nearly cost us part of our claim.
We also didn’t clean the air vents and dehumidify long enough. Even after the room seemed dry, moisture lingered behind baseboards and inside walls. We had to redo part of the flood damage repair a month later when the musty smell returned.
In hindsight, I wish we’d had a flood recovery checklist—something to guide us step-by-step. We were reacting to each problem instead of working through a plan.
What We Learned About Flood Damage Repair
Here’s what we now know: basement water damage is about more than just visible water. Moisture seeps into drywall, trim, furniture, and even wiring. If not properly dried and treated, it can lead to serious issues later on. And in some cases, the root cause might be above, not below—like a leaking foundation or damaged shingles. If you suspect your roof might be letting water in during storms, it’s worth looking into roof repair to stop the problem before it starts.
Basement flood cleanup should always include these key phases: water removal, drying, dehumidifying, mold prevention, and damage repair. Missing one of those steps—or rushing through them—can lead to bigger problems. Trust us.
Professional help isn’t cheap, but if the flooding is significant, it’s worth it. They have tools we simply don’t—like moisture meters and high-speed air movers—that can dry areas our shop vac never could.
What to Do If Your Basement Floods
Here’s a quick version of what we wish we knew upfront:
We also recommend reading about your policy coverage before something happens. Many homeowners don’t realize that insurance and water damage aren’t always a guaranteed match—especially if the flooding is from outside sources.
- Turn off the power and stay safe.
- Remove water as quickly as you can.
- Call a restoration company for serious damage.
- Document everything—take clear photos and videos.
- Contact your insurance right away (within 24–48 hours).
- Toss anything soaked and porous: rugs, boxes, drywall, soft furniture.
- Use a dehumidifier for at least a week.
- Watch for signs of mold in the weeks after.
Final Thoughts
Flooding is overwhelming, emotional, and expensive. But you’re not alone, and you don’t have to be perfect. Whether you’re in the middle of cleanup or reading this just in case, I hope this post helps you understand the real process behind flood damage repair—the mistakes, the wins, and everything in between.
