Emergency guide
Basement or lower-level flooding: what to do
Most Phoenix-metro homes are slab-on-grade, but finished lower levels, walk-out basements, and sunken living rooms do flood — from sewer backup, groundwater after heavy rain, or water traveling downhill on a slope lot. Treat any standing water as potentially contaminated until tested.
Do this in the next 10 minutes
- 1
Stay safe — assess contamination
Sewage, muddy water, or odor means Category 3 water. Keep children and pets away. Wear rubber boots and gloves if you must enter. Do not run HVAC — it spreads contaminants.
- 2
Stop inflow if possible
For appliance leaks, shut the valve. For sewer backup, stop using all drains and toilets in the house — call a plumber for the main line. For groundwater, sandbagging may help temporarily.
- 3
Call utilities if needed
If water reaches electrical outlets or the panel, shut off power to that level from a dry location. Gas appliances in flooded areas should be inspected before relighting.
- 4
Pump and extract — don't DIY large volumes
Shop vacs work for small clean-water spills only. Significant flooding needs truck-mounted extraction and antimicrobial treatment.
- 5
Document and call restoration
Lower levels dry slowly without commercial equipment. Concrete and block walls hold moisture; pros drill drying holes in baseboards and use specialized desiccant dehumidifiers when needed.
Slab homes vs. true basements
In Arizona, 'basement flooding' often means a sunken garage, finished lower walk-out, or storage room below grade. Water may enter through foundation cracks after sustained monsoon rain or poor grading. French drains and sump systems are uncommon here — so water has fewer exit paths.
Sewer backup is a health emergency
Category 3 water requires removal of porous materials, HEPA filtration, and often a separate remediation scope. Standard homeowners policies may offer limited sewer backup coverage — check your declarations page or endorsement.
When insurance applies
Sudden appliance failure is often covered. Groundwater seepage and sewer backup may require specific endorsements. Flood from outside rising water needs a separate NFIP flood policy.
FastDry helps classify the water category correctly on your claim — miscoding Category 3 as clean water is a common reason carriers deny payment.
Describe what happened — we'll dispatch a crew
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