From Old Town Basements to New Builds: Fort Collins Water Damage Restoration
Fort Collins water damage restoration often means basements. Summer cloudbursts, clogged storm inlets and snowmelt can all push water below grade, and a finished basement holds a lot of drywall and carpet. Our crew pumps it out, dries it properly and rebuilds.
Call (970) 555-0120 once the water stops rising.
Prefer to talk? (970) 555-0120
- Water extraction
- Moisture mapping
- Structural drying
- Repairs and rebuild
Three steps to dry
- 1
Describe the damage
Call (970) 555-0120 and describe where the water came from and which rooms are affected.
- 2
Book a visit
We follow up to confirm the details and set an inspection time that works for you.
- 3
Extraction, drying, rebuild
Water is extracted, moisture is measured and the structure is dried before repairs begin.
What Fort Collins Learned in 1997
On July 27 and 28, 1997, 14.5 inches of rain fell in 31 hours. According to the Fort Collins History Connection, debris clogged a railroad underpass on Spring Creek and backed water into a mobile home park. The City's flood records list five deaths, 120 mobile homes destroyed and 2,000 homes and businesses damaged, in an event considered greater than a 500-year flood. Colorado State University's library took heavy damage too. The flood mitigation that followed is credited with helping the city avoid extensive damage in 2013.
Floods Outside the Floodplain
The City notes that 30 percent of flood insurance claims come from outside the mapped floodplain. Parts of downtown are actually more at risk than neighborhoods built after drainage standards arrived in the 1980s, and street flooding is the main problem in the Old Town basin, which flooded again in 2018 and 2023. The City also warns that basements can fill quickly during floods, and that hail can clog storm inlets and turn streets into channels.
Our Fort Collins Services
- Basement flooding cleanup in Fort Collins for runoff, seepage and sump failures.
- Fort Collins hail and storm damage when hail or wind opens the roof.
- Mold remediation in Fort Collins when a basement or wall stayed damp too long.
We also handle burst pipes, water heater leaks and appliance overflows, which can soak a basement just as thoroughly as a storm.
Basement Flooding
Water through a window well, up a floor drain or past a dead sump in your Fort Collins basement? We pump, strip wet finishes, dry and rebuild. Call.
Learn moreHail & Storm Damage
Hail-cracked skylights, torn roofing or rain coming through the ceiling in Fort Collins? We tarp, dry the attic and interior, and repair. Call our crew.
Learn moreMold Remediation
Mold in a Fort Collins basement, attic or behind drywall? We locate the moisture, isolate the work area, remove growth and dry it out. Call Our Team.
Learn more
The Restoration Process
- Safety and source. Water stopped, power to wet areas cut.
- Extraction. Pumps and extractors remove standing water.
- Moisture mapping. Meters and thermal imaging find where it spread.
- Removal. Pad, wet insulation and drywall that won't dry come out.
- Drying. Dehumidifiers and air movers with daily readings.
- Rebuild. Drywall, flooring, trim and paint.
Fort Collins housing is fairly young: the Census Bureau's 2024 estimate puts the median build year at 1992, with about 31 percent of homes built before 1980. Homes in the Laurel School district reflect architecture from the 1870s through the 1930s, according to the City, and older houses like those call for slower drying of plaster and original wood.
Permits After a Flood
If your home is in a floodplain, the City says to get a floodplain use permit and a building permit before making repairs. If repair costs reach 50 percent of the building's market value, it may have to meet the same standards as new construction. We document the damage room by room, with photos and dated readings, which helps with both the permit and the insurance claim.
Protecting the Basement
The City recommends extending downspouts away from the foundation, keeping gutters clear, sloping soil away from the house and raising window-well edges. Fort Collins Utilities offers free home visits with flood protection advice.
When water's already inside, call (970) 555-0120.
Frequently asked questions
Will my regular policy pay for a flooded basement in Fort Collins?
Not for flooding. The City reminds residents that regular policies don't cover floods. Sump failures and pipe bursts are separate questions for your policy.
How quickly should I buy flood insurance?
Before you need it. FEMA's program usually has a 30-day waiting period.
Is the 100-year floodplain really a once-a-century risk?
No. The City explains it as a 1 percent chance in any given year, which works out to about 26 percent over a typical 30-year mortgage.