Basement Flooded in Boise: What to Do in the First Hour

First: is it safe to go down there?

The CDC says to never turn power on or off, or use an electric tool or appliance, while you’re standing in water. If you’d have to walk through water to reach the main power switch, it says to call an electrician to turn it off.

So where’s your breaker panel? If it’s upstairs or in the garage, you can switch off the basement circuits from dry ground. If it’s in the flooded basement, leave it alone.

Gas is the other big risk, since many basements hold the furnace and water heater. Intermountain Gas is the gas utility for the Boise area. It says that if you smell gas, get everyone out, pets included, then call its emergency line, 800-548-3679, and 911 from a safe spot outside. Don’t flip light switches, unplug anything, or use the garage door opener on the way out.

Where is the water coming from?

This is the most useful question you can answer in the first few minutes. The source tells you who to call, how careful to be, and which insurance applies. Look and listen from the stairs before you walk in.

Not sure? If you can reach the main water valve without stepping into water, turn it off, then watch for a few minutes. If the water stops rising, the problem is probably your plumbing. If it keeps coming, look outside or at the drains.

Boise has its own patterns, too. Snowmelt and spring runoff can raise the Boise River, and Boise State’s Resilience Institute notes that higher-than-normal flows can cause minor flooding in low areas near the river. Many newer Treasure Valley homes sit on crawl spaces instead of basements. If that’s your house, see our guide to a burst pipe in a crawl space.

The first hour, step by step

1. 1

   Stop the water at the source

   For a broken pipe or a leaking water heater, close the main water valve. Turn a round handle clockwise. A lever handle only needs a quarter turn. Only do this if you can reach the valve without stepping into water near electricity.

2. 2

   If it’s sewage, stop all water use

   Every flush and every load of laundry adds to the backup. Ask everyone in the house to stop using water until a plumber or the city has checked the line.

3. 3

   Record everything before you clean

   Take wide photos of each wall and close-ups of damaged items. A short video walking around the basement works well too. Note the water level on the walls. Your insurer will want all of this.

4. 4

   Save what matters most, carefully

   Once the power is off and it’s safe, move photos, papers, and keepsakes upstairs first. Wear rubber boots and gloves. Leave heavy furniture for the crew. Soaked cardboard boxes tear easily, so lift from the bottom.

5. 5

   Let air in

   If the weather allows, open windows and doors to the outside. Did water reach the furnace, the water heater, or the washer and dryer? Leave them off. The American Red Cross says not to use flooded gas or electric appliances until they’ve been checked for safety.

Clean water or sewage? Why it matters

Not all basement water is the same. Water from a burst supply pipe starts out fairly clean. Water from a floor drain backup or a toilet can carry sewage. Water that soaked through the soil can carry dirt and bacteria.

Restoration crews sort water into three groups. Massachusetts’ public health guidance sums them up. Category 1 is clean water, like a plumbing leak. Category 2, often called gray water, can make people sick. Category 3, or black water, includes sewage and is highly contaminated.

If sewage is involved, the CDC says to wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles. Virginia’s Department of Health says to keep children and pets away. It also says carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture that sewage has touched should be thrown away. It suggests hiring a professional when sewage stays in a finished living space for more than 24 hours.

Deep water? Don’t drain it all at once

This matters most when water came in from outside and the soil around your house is soaked. The American Red Cross advises pumping out a flooded basement gradually, about a third of the water per day, to avoid damage to the structure. The reason: wet soil pushes hard against the walls from outside. If you remove all the water inside too fast, walls can crack or the floor can heave.

A few inches from a burst pipe is a different situation. The soil outside isn’t soaked, so getting the water out quickly is usually the goal. When you’re not sure, ask the restoration crew before you start pumping.

Who to call

A flooded basement is often more than one job. Here’s a quick guide:

The City of Boise asks people to call 208-608-7200 right away for sewer backups or water overflows. If you live outside Boise city limits, call your own city or sewer district instead.

A plumber and the city deal with the pipes. A restoration crew deals with your house: pumping out water, removing wet materials, drying, and cleaning. You’ll often need both on the same day.

Drying out a basement

The CDC says to clean up and dry your home within 24 to 48 hours if possible. It also advises throwing away things you can’t clean or dry quickly, like carpet padding, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. The EPA gives the same 24-to-48-hour window to help prevent mold.

Basements dry slowly. They sit below ground, the air is cooler, and there’s little airflow. A few things to expect:

• Carpet pad usually goes. It holds water like a sponge and is hard to dry in place.
• Drywall may be cut. Crews often remove the bottom part of wet walls so the space behind them can dry.
• Moisture hides. Concrete and wood can stay wet long after they look dry. Good crews check with moisture meters.
• Hold off on paint and new flooring. Wait until a crew confirms everything is dry.

What insurance usually covers

With basements, coverage depends almost entirely on where the water came from. Your own policy has the final word, but here’s the general picture:

• The Minnesota Department of Commerce explains that a typical homeowners policy won’t cover sewer backups. You usually need a separate add-on, often called an endorsement, and what it covers varies from company to company.
• The Idaho Department of Insurance reminds Idahoans that standard homeowners policies don’t cover flood damage. Flood policies also typically have a 30-day waiting period.
• Even with flood insurance, FEMA says basement coverage is limited. Finished walls, finished floors, and most belongings in a basement generally aren’t covered.

Not sure what you have? Look at the declarations page of your policy for a line that says something like “water backup” or “sump overflow.” Then call your insurer or agent and report the damage soon.

• Take photos and video before cleanup.
• Keep receipts for pumps, fans, and anything else you buy.
• Make a list of damaged items before anything is thrown away.
• Read any contract carefully before you sign it.

Questions about how your insurer is handling things? The Idaho Department of Insurance can help, too. Its Consumer Services team can be reached at 208-334-4319. For a full walkthrough, see our guide to water damage insurance claims in Idaho.

Choosing help without pressure

When your basement is full of water, it’s tempting to say yes to the first crew that shows up. It’s okay to ask a few questions first. What will they do today? How will they track drying? Will they work with your insurance company? Get the answers in writing, and read anything before you sign. Our guide on how to choose a water damage company in Boise has a checklist you can use on the phone.

Once it’s dry: lowering the odds next time

When things settle down, a few changes can help. State Farm suggests asking a plumber about repeat drain backups, cleaning your gutters, making sure downspouts send water away from the foundation, and testing your sump pump regularly. It also suggests a battery backup for the pump.

• Test the sump pump before spring runoff and after big storms.
• Keep downspouts pointed away from the foundation, and keep window wells clear.
• Ask a plumber about a backwater valve if sewage has backed up before.
• Check your policy for water backup coverage, and look into flood insurance well before spring.

Frequently asked questions