Emergency Restoration in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines has a long history of sudden water. Intense rain can overwhelm storm drains and sump pumps, and in parts of the city the sewer system was built to carry stormwater and sewage together. Freezing winters add burst pipes and ice dams on top of that. 911 Restoration of Des Moines handles water damage, sewage backups, mold, fire, and storm damage across Des Moines, from downtown to Beaverdale and Merle Hay.
Quick answer: 911 Restoration of Des Moines provides 24/7 restoration in Des Moines. The city reported around 1,900 reports of homes impacted or damaged in the June 30, 2018 flash flooding, and its combined sewer history makes basement backups a real risk in heavy rain. Call (515) 999-7310 for a typical 45-minute arrival.
Restoration Services in Des Moines
Water Damage Restoration
Extraction, moisture mapping, and structural drying for basement floods, burst pipes, and storm water, read daily until verified dry.
Learn about water damage →Fire Damage Restoration
Board-up, soot and smoke removal, odor control, and cleanup of the water used to put the fire out.
Learn about fire damage →Mold Remediation
Containment, removal of affected materials, HEPA cleaning, and correction of the moisture source that fed the growth.
Learn about mold remediation →Sewage Cleanup
Safe removal of sewage backups, disposal of contaminated materials, disinfection, and drying of affected basements.
Learn about sewage cleanup →Commercial Restoration
Water, fire, and mold response for offices, retail, healthcare, schools, and multifamily buildings, planned around operations.
Learn about commercial restoration →Reconstruction
Drywall, flooring, cabinets, trim, and finish work after a loss, completed by the same team that handled the cleanup.
Learn about reconstruction →Crime Scene Cleanup
Discreet biohazard cleanup after trauma, unattended death, or hoarding, with regulated waste handling.
Learn about crime scene cleanup →Sanitization Services
Disinfection of homes and businesses after contamination, illness, or a sewage or flood loss.
Learn about sanitization →Storm Damage Restoration
Tarping, board-up, water removal, and drying after severe thunderstorms, high winds, and winter storms.
Learn about storm damage →What Damages Property in Des Moines
The City of Des Moines reported around 1,900 reports of homes impacted or damaged in the June 30, 2018 flash flooding. The city's original sewer system was built in the 1870s as a combined sanitary and storm sewer, and the Ingersoll Run Project was finishing its final stage in May 2025 to separate it. The Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Authority director has said heavy rain events used to overload the system and cause basement backups.
For a homeowner, the practical protections are a backflow preventer on the sewer line and a sump pump that discharges outside, not into the sanitary sewer. If water or sewage has already come up a floor drain, keep people and pets out, shut off power to wet areas if it is safe, and call us before anything soaks into drywall, carpet, or stored boxes.
How We Handle Losses in Des Moines
Des Moines sits where heavy rain, aging sewer lines, and hard winters meet. Basements are the first place water shows up, whether it comes from a backed-up floor drain, a failed sump pump, or a pipe that froze in an unheated space. We extract water, dry structure, and test moisture behind finished walls so mold has no moisture left to grow on.
Mold usually follows water in Des Moines homes. A basement that took on water and was not dried to verified targets, a slow leak inside a wall, or a crawl space that stays damp through a humid summer can grow mold within days. We contain the area, remove affected materials, HEPA clean, and correct the moisture source. After a fire, we board up, remove firefighting water from the basement, clean soot, and treat smoke odor in ductwork and wall cavities so it does not return. Storm calls in Des Moines usually mean roof tarping, board-up, and drying ceilings and walls after wind-driven rain or ice dams. Every job is documented with photos and daily moisture readings, which your adjuster can review and which show when the structure is actually dry.
Where We Work in Des Moines
Our crews respond throughout Des Moines, including:
- Downtown Des Moines
- East Village
- Sherman Hill
- Drake University area
- Beaverdale
- Highland Park
- Merle Hay
ZIP codes served: 50309, 50310, 50311, 50312, 50313, 50314.
If you are not sure whether your address is in our area, call (515) 999-7310. The same crews handle emergency response, cleanup, and reconstruction in Des Moines, so one team stays with the job from the first call to the final walkthrough.
Des Moines is served by 911 Restoration of Des Moines, which also covers Altoona, Ankeny, Carlisle, Clive, East Des Moines, Indianola, Johnston, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, South Des Moines, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.
Common Causes of Property Damage in Des Moines
- Sewer and floor drain backups during intense rain
- Sump pump failures, often when the power goes out in a storm
- Frozen and burst pipes in basements, attics, and garages
- Ice dams that push meltwater under roofing and into ceilings
- Kitchen and laundry fires with smoke and soot damage
- Leaking water heaters, washing machine hoses, and dishwasher lines
Why Des Moines Property Owners Call 911 Restoration
Open 24/7
We answer every call at any hour, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
45-Minute Typical Arrival
Crews are dispatched right away, and our typical arrival is 45 minutes.
IICRC-Certified Technicians
Trained crews with moisture meters, thermal imaging, and drying and containment equipment.
Direct Insurance Coordination
Photos, readings, and a written scope for your adjuster, with billing handled for you.
Local Team
911 Restoration of Des Moines works from Carlisle across the Des Moines metro, from Waukee and Ankeny to Indianola.
No Subcontractors
The same team handles the emergency, the cleanup, and the reconstruction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restoration in Des Moines
How fast can you get to a property in Des Moines?
Why do basements back up in older Des Moines neighborhoods during heavy rain?
Is sewage water in my Des Moines basement safe to clean myself?
Do you work with my insurance company?
What should I do while I wait for the crew?
Does flood insurance cover water in my Des Moines home?
Contact 911 Restoration of Des Moines in Des Moines
Water, fire, mold, and storm damage get worse every hour. Call us 24/7 for help in Des Moines.