Storm and Flash Flood Water Cleanup in Ashburn, VA

Storm water in the basement

Storm and flash flood water cleanup covers water that came in from outside during heavy rain, whether through a window well, a wall crack or the floor joint. Water that has touched the ground is Category 3 and brings soil, bacteria and chemicals into your house.

We extract the water, remove porous materials that soaked it up, dry the structure and document the damage with photos and readings. Our flooded basement page covers the room-by-room cleanup.

How storm water gets in

• A window well that fills faster than it drains.
• Water at the joint where the floor meets the wall.
• A wet stripe low on the foundation wall after rain.
• A downspout that dumps beside the foundation.
• Water through a basement walkout door threshold.
• A sump pump that ran all night and then lost to the water.

Insurance and flood coverage, general information

Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage. Flood coverage usually comes from a separate policy, often through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer. Some policies treat water that backs up through a drain or sump differently from surface flooding.

This is general information only. Read your policy and talk to your agent about what applies. We record moisture readings and photos that homeowners can share with their insurer.

How we clean up flood water

1. Stay safe. Power off, protective gear on and the work area marked as Category 3.
2. Extract. Water goes out with pumps and wands.
3. Remove porous materials. Carpet, pad, insulation and drywall that soaked up flood water are removed.
4. Clean and sanitize. Hard surfaces and framing are cleaned and treated.
5. Dry and document. Equipment runs with daily readings, and photos go in the file.

Window well, wall or floor joint

Why storm water is treated as Category 3

Storm water picks up whatever is on the ground, including soil, fertilizer, pet waste, oil and runoff from the street. Once it comes through a window well or foundation wall, it carries all of that into the basement. Because of that, we treat it as Category 3 even when it looks clear.

It also changes what gets kept. Porous materials that soaked it up are removed, and hard surfaces are cleaned and sanitized. That is different from a clean-water leak where carpet is often saved.

Preventing the next storm leak

• Keep window wells clear of leaves and make sure the drain at the bottom works.
• Extend downspouts so they discharge several feet from the foundation.
• Check the grade around the house so the ground slopes away from the walls.
• Test the sump pump before the rainy season and add a battery backup if you can.
• Do not store valuables on the basement floor during storm season.

Documenting for your claim

Photograph the water line on the walls, the damage on the floor and the condition of the window wells and sump pit. Keep receipts for any emergency repairs. We record moisture readings and keep a list of what was removed, which you can share with your insurer or your flood policy adjuster.

Because flood and surface-water coverage is often separate, talk to your agent early. Ask what your policy says about water from outside, from drains and from the sump, and what documentation they need.

After the water is gone

Once the water is out and the structure is drying, the focus shifts to what let it in. A clogged window well drain, a cracked foundation wall or a sump pit that was overwhelmed each calls for a different fix. We note what we saw so your contractor can plan the repair.

Hairline cracks can often be injected by a foundation specialist. Grading and gutter problems can be handled by a landscaper. Our job is the water and the drying, and the cause is for someone with that trade.

Before the next storm, see Sump Pump Backup Options When the Power Goes Out.

Common questions