Flooded Basement Cleanup in Olympia, WA

Flooded basement cleanup in Olympia, WA usually starts with a pump and ends with a lot of drying. Full and daylight basements are less common in Thurston County than crawl spaces, but you will find them in older homes, on sloped lots and in some newer houses. Below-grade rooms sit right where saturated winter soil presses against the walls. Through our referral line (opening soon), you can be connected with an independent restoration company that pumps the water out, removes what cannot be saved and dries the space.

How water gets into Olympia basements

• Saturated soil. After weeks of rain, water pushes through foundation cracks, the joint where wall meets floor and around pipe openings.
• Window wells that fill during heavy rain and spill through the window.
• Sump pump failure, from a power outage during a windstorm, a stuck float switch or a pump that is simply worn out.
• Roof water from overflowing gutters and short downspouts.
• Plumbing and appliances: water heaters, washing machines and supply lines are often in the basement.
• Sewer backups through a floor drain. That is a different, contaminated job. See sewage backup cleanup.

Safety first in a flooded basement

Basement water can reach outlets, extension cords, the furnace and the water heater. Do not walk into standing water if you cannot be sure the power is off. If the electrical panel is in the basement and surrounded by water, leave it alone and call the utility or an electrician. If you smell gas, leave the house and call 911 from outside.

What a basement cleanup involves

1. Pump-out. Deep water is removed with submersible pumps. The crew may pump in stages if the soil outside is still saturated, to avoid pressure problems on the walls.
2. Extraction. Carpet and pad are extracted or removed. Pad is usually discarded.
3. Flood cuts. In finished basements, drywall and insulation are often cut out above the water line so the wall cavity can dry.
4. Cleaning. If the water came from outside or a drain, surfaces are cleaned and treated before drying.
5. Drying. Dehumidifiers and air movers run, with daily moisture readings in the walls, floor and framing.

The water category changes the job

Clean water from a broken supply line can often be dried in place if it is caught quickly. Water that came in from outside through the soil, or up through a floor drain, may carry dirt, bacteria and chemicals. Porous materials it touched, such as carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall, are usually removed rather than dried. A restoration crew will explain which category it is treating and why.

Keeping the next storm out

• Clean gutters each fall, and extend downspouts several feet from the foundation.
• Fit window well covers, and keep the wells clear of leaves.
• Test the sump pump before the wet season, and consider a battery backup for windstorm outages.
• Store belongings on shelves rather than on the basement floor.
• Ask your insurer about water backup coverage.

Insurance notes

For a basement, the cause of the water decides the claim. Sudden plumbing or appliance leaks are often covered. Groundwater seepage and flood are usually excluded unless you have flood insurance, which in the U.S. is offered by the National Flood Insurance Program and private insurers. See our Washington insurance guide.

Get a basement pumped out and dried

To reach a restoration company, email info@olympiawaterdamagewa.com while our phone line is being set up. Tell them how deep the water is, whether the power is off, and whether the basement is finished.