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Water damage and mould remediation in Des Moines

Restoration firms for drying and mould removal.

16 pros in Des Moines

Water trouble in Des Moines is tied to its rivers. In the Great Flood of 1993, Raccoon River floodwaters overwhelmed flood protection at the Des Moines Water Works, and in June 2008 the Des Moines River crested at 31.57 feet at 2nd Avenue, with evacuations ordered for around 270 homes in the Birdland area. Spring brings the most rain of any season, averaging 11.43 inches, and summer averages 13.25 inches. For you, that means a wet basement or a damp wall can come from more than one source, and the source matters. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says mold always comes from a moisture or water problem and that cleaning it does no good until the water issue is solved. Before you hire, ask the company how it will find and stop the moisture, how it will dry the structure, and what it will do about mould. Ask for a written scope of work before anything starts.

Sources: NOAA National Weather Service, Des Moines (source, opens in a new tab), NOAA National Weather Service, Des Moines (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in Des Moines

  • In the Great Flood of 1993, Raccoon River floodwaters overwhelmed flood protection at the Des Moines Water Works on July 11 and forced the facility to shut down. The water supply to a quarter-million people was cut off for nearly 2 weeks, and all downtown Des Moines businesses shut down.

    NOAA National Weather Service (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Ask how fast they will start drying: Health Canada says a home dried within 48 hours is less likely to grow mould.

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Health Canada suggests professional help for extensive mould, meaning a patch larger than 3 m².

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Des Moines

Should I pay for mould testing before hiring a remediation company?

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services does not recommend testing for mold. It says results may be unreliable, meaningful results are hard to get, testing is costly, and there are no regulatory levels to compare against. Ask instead how the company will find the moisture source and what removal steps it will follow. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source, opens in a new tab)

Will cleaning mould fix the problem in my Des Moines home?

Not by itself. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says mold growth is always caused by a moisture or water problem, and cleaning mold does no good until the water issue is solved. Ask any company how it will locate the leak or seepage, repair or report it, and dry the area first. Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (source, opens in a new tab)

Will my insurance cover water damage from a flood or sewer backup?

Check your policy before you sign a work order. The Iowa Insurance Division says flood damage is often a standard exclusion in homeowner, renter and property policies. Water and sewer backup coverage is different from flood insurance and needs special endorsements. Ask your insurer what applies, and keep photos and records. Iowa Insurance Division (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a water damage quote include?

Ask for a written quote that describes the areas affected, the drying and removal steps, the equipment to be used, who does the work, and what is excluded. It should also say how any hidden damage found later would be handled. Compare quotes line by line, not just by the total.

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