Flooded basement cleanup in Sioux Falls

Updated 2026-11-02

A flooded basement needs the water removed and the space dried within a day or two to limit mold, plus a check of where the water came from, because that decides both the cleanup method and what insurance pays.

What are the steps to clean up a flooded basement?

1. Turn off power to the basement at the panel if you can reach it without standing in water.
2. Find the source: groundwater or surface water, a failed sump pump, a sewer backup, or a plumbing leak.
3. Pump or extract standing water. Restoration crews use truck-mounted or portable extractors.
4. Remove wet carpet, pad and soaked drywall below the water line so walls can dry.
5. Run dehumidifiers and air movers until moisture readings return to normal, usually several days.
6. Disinfect surfaces that touched floodwater. The SD Department of Health suggests 1 cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water for items that contacted floodwater (SDDOH).

Where should a sump pump drain in Sioux Falls?

Not into the sanitary sewer: City Ordinance 53.023 prohibits it. Allowed options are your lawn or a storm drain or sump collection system, and the street only if nothing else is available. The City runs a sump pump discharge inspection program and may reimburse part of a connection (City of Sioux Falls).

Do you have a private well?

If floodwater reached a private well, SDSU Extension advises inspecting, disinfecting and testing it before drinking the water (SDSU Extension).