Basement Flood Cleanup in Salt Lake County

How water gets into Salt Lake basements

• Window wells that fill during a storm or when snow melts against the house, then pour through the window.
• Exterior basement stairwells whose floor drain clogs with leaves and debris.
• Downspouts and grading that send roof water toward the foundation instead of away from it.
• Creeks and storm drains overwhelmed during heavy spring runoff, like the April 2023 Emigration Creek overflow near Wasatch Hollow Park (Salt Lake City Emergency Management).
• Sump pumps that fail or lose power in homes that rely on them.

Clean water or contaminated water?

Outside flood water and storm runoff are treated as contaminated because they carry soil, bacteria and whatever was on the street. That changes how a provider handles carpet, pad and drywall that it touched. A broken supply line in the basement, by contrast, starts as clean water but can degrade if it sits.

What to do while you wait

• Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or the furnace are near it.
• If water is coming through a window well, clear the well drain only if it's safe to reach.
• Move boxes, electronics and furniture to a higher floor.
• Photograph the water line on walls before cleanup starts.

Flooding from outside is usually excluded from standard homeowners policies. Flood insurance through the NFIP generally has a 30-day waiting period, so it has to be in place before runoff season. Our spring runoff guide covers local flood history and how to check your flood zone.

Where basement flooding & runoff referrals are available

Calls about this service can be connected in these cities and towns:

• Salt Lake City
• West Valley City
• West Jordan
• Sandy
• South Jordan
• Draper
• Murray
• Taylorsville
• Millcreek
• Holladay
• Cottonwood Heights
• Herriman
• Riverton & Bluffdale
• Midvale
• Magna
• Kearns

Questions about basement flooding & runoff