Basement Flooding Cleanup Kennesaw GA

Flooded basement: the short answer

Don't step into basement water until you know the electricity is off, because furnaces, water heaters, outlets and electrical panels are often down there. Stop the source if it's plumbing, photograph the water line, move what you can and get water removal started quickly. Then figure out why it happened, whether a sump pump, surface drainage, a plumbing leak or a sewer backup. Call (770) 555-0186 to speak with a local water damage restoration contractor in the Kennesaw area.

Why basements flood

The cause decides the cleanup and the insurance claim, so it's worth pinning down:

Plumbing failures: water heaters, washing machines and supply lines that leak or burst.
Sump pump failure: a stuck float, a burned-out motor or a power outage during a storm.
Surface water: heavy rain that gutters, downspouts and grading send toward the foundation.
Sewer or drain backup: water coming up through a floor drain, which is contaminated. See sewage cleanup.

Kennesaw averages about 54.6 inches of precipitation a year, so basements here get tested often. For other situations, see our Kennesaw water damage overview.

How urgent is it?

Basement water climbs into drywall and stays.

Finished basements trap moisture behind drywall, carpet and pad, and cool basement air dries slowly. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, which is hard to do in a basement without extraction and dehumidifiers.

Safety comes first. The CDC advises never turning power on or off, or using electrical tools, while standing in water. If you'd have to wade in to reach the panel, call an electrician or the power company.

Finished and unfinished basements

In an unfinished basement, the job is mostly extraction, cleaning and drying concrete, block walls and framing. In a finished basement, expect the bottom of the drywall, wet insulation, carpet pad and often carpet to come out, especially if the water was contaminated. Industry guidelines based on the IICRC S500 standard say wet insulation generally can't be dried adequately and should be removed.

What happens during the visit

Make it safe and pump it out
Once power is safe, pumps and extractors remove the standing water.
Identify the water and the cause
The crew determines whether it's clean, gray or contaminated water and where it came from.
Remove wet materials
Pad, insulation and the lower section of drywall are removed where needed so walls can dry.
Clean and dry
Surfaces are cleaned, disinfected if needed, and dried with air movers and dehumidifiers while readings are logged.
Fix the cause, then rebuild
A plumber or drainage specialist addresses the source before finishes go back in.

Drainage, stormwater and who maintains what

If water is reaching your foundation from the yard, check gutters, downspout extensions and grading. Cobb County says it maintains only the stormwater pipes and ponds formally dedicated to and accepted by the county, and that property owners are responsible for the rest, including keeping drainage easements clear of debris. The county takes stormwater problem reports at 770-419-6435. Cities may run their own programs, so check with yours.

What affects the cost

Finished or unfinished: finished space means more removal and more rebuilding.
Water category: sewage or floodwater adds disinfection and disposal.
Depth and square footage: more water means more extraction and drying time.
Contents: furniture and stored belongings may need to be moved, cleaned or inventoried.

See the cost guide for how estimates are put together.

Insurance and basement water

How the water got in matters. A sudden plumbing failure is commonly covered under homeowners insurance, flood from outside generally needs a separate flood policy, and FEMA notes that flood insurance coverage in basements is limited. Sump pump overflow and sewer backup often require a water backup endorsement. Photograph the water line on the walls before cleanup and call your insurer early. Our Georgia water damage insurance guide has more.

Questions to ask before you hire

Is this clean, gray or contaminated water, and how does that change the plan?
How much drywall and insulation do you expect to remove?
Will you document the water line and damaged contents for my insurer?
What do you recommend to keep this from happening again?

Basement flooding around Kennesaw

Basement calls come from neighborhoods across the area, including Legacy Park, Pinetree Country Club and the Stilesboro Road area, and from Acworth and Dallas. Our step-by-step guide covers the first steps after discovering a flooded basement.

What to have ready when you call

how deep the water is and whether it's still rising
whether the basement is finished, and what flooring is down there
whether you have a sump pump and whether it's running
whether the water smells like sewage

Frequently asked questions

What are the first steps after discovering a flooded basement?

Stay out of the water until power to the basement is off, stop the source if it's a plumbing leak, photograph the water line and damage, move belongings you can reach safely, and call for water removal. Then call your insurer.

Is it safe to walk in a flooded basement?

Not until you know the electricity is off. The CDC advises never turning power on or off or using electrical tools while standing in water. Also assume the water may be contaminated if it came from outside or a drain.

Does homeowners insurance cover a flooded basement?

It depends on the cause. A burst pipe or water heater failure is commonly covered, flood from outside generally needs a flood policy, and sump pump overflow or sewer backup often requires a water backup endorsement.

Do I have to remove drywall after a basement flood?

Often the lower section, especially in finished basements or with contaminated water. Industry guidelines based on the IICRC S500 standard say wet insulation generally can't be dried adequately and should be removed.