Flooded basement? What to do in the first hour
Step-by-step: what to do in the first hour after your basement floods, what to save, what to photograph, and who to call in Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin.
If your basement floods, stay safe first: keep out of standing water near outlets, shut off the water source if you can, and call a water damage restoration company. In Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin, CCS Property Services answers 24/7 at (920) 435-2288.
1. Make it safe
Water and electricity are the biggest danger. If water is near outlets, cords or the furnace and you can't safely reach the breaker panel, stay out and call your utility or an electrician.
- Don't walk through water that's touching outlets or appliances
- Turn off power to the basement at the panel only if you can reach it while standing on a dry floor
- If it smells like sewage, keep kids and pets away. It's contaminated water
2. Stop the water
Shut off the main water valve if a pipe, water heater or appliance is leaking. If the sump pump failed, check whether it lost power or the float is stuck.
3. Document everything
Take photos and video of the water, the source and damaged items before you move anything. Your insurance adjuster will want them.
4. Save what you can
Move electronics, documents, photos and furniture to a dry floor. Lift furniture legs onto blocks or foil. Don't use a household vacuum on standing water.
5. Call your insurance and a restoration company
Report the claim, then call a water damage restoration company to extract the water and start drying. Wet drywall and carpet can start growing mold within 24 to 48 hours, so speed matters.
Who to call when your basement floods
For water removal and drying, call a water damage restoration company, not a plumber alone. A plumber fixes the pipe. A restoration company removes the water, dries the structure, prevents mold and documents the loss for insurance. CCS Property Services does all of it, plus the repairs afterward.
This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy language controls.
Get help from CCS
The services this guide covers, done by our own IICRC-certified crews.
Frequently asked questions
Should I call a plumber or a restoration company for a flooded basement?
If a pipe or fixture is still leaking, a plumber fixes the source. The water already in the basement needs a restoration company with extraction and drying equipment. Many floods need both.
How fast does mold grow after a basement flood?
Mold can begin growing on wet drywall, wood and carpet within 24 to 48 hours, which is why extraction and drying should start the same day.
Will insurance pay for my flooded basement?
It depends on the cause. Burst pipes and appliance failures are usually covered. Sump pump or sewer backup often requires an add-on endorsement, and groundwater or surface flooding usually requires flood insurance.
Need help right now?
Phones are answered 24/7 for water, sewage and fire emergencies.