Prices are estimates from typical local jobs and vary by home.
Flood repair · Cedar Rapids, IA
When the Cedar River rises or a spring storm overwhelms the storm sewers, water finds the lowest room in the house first. We connect Cedar Rapids homeowners with local crews who pump it out, dry it properly and put the space back together.
Call Or get a free quoteCedar Rapids knows floods better than most cities. The 2008 crest reshaped whole neighborhoods, and even ordinary years bring heavy June rain, saturated clay soil and basements that take on water through floor cracks, window wells and floor drains. Standing water is only the visible part of the problem. Moisture wicks up drywall, soaks into carpet pad, swells subfloors and settles into the bottom plates of framed walls, where it can feed mold within a couple of days.
Homeowners in the 52404 ZIP code and the rest of the city can use this service to reach flood repair crews for the full job or just one piece of it. Some people need water extracted tonight. Others already pumped the basement and now need moisture readings, wet drywall cut out, or a contractor to rebuild a finished family room. The right plan depends on how long the water sat, where it came from and what materials it touched.
Where the water came from matters. Clean water from a burst supply line is handled differently from river water or sewer backup, which can carry bacteria and calls for removing porous materials rather than drying them. Tell the crew what you know about the source, how deep the water got and how long it stood. Photos taken before you start moving things help both the contractor and your insurance adjuster.
A good flood repair proposal separates the emergency work, such as extraction, drying equipment and demolition, from the rebuild. Ask how many days the drying equipment will run, how dryness will be confirmed before walls are closed, and which items are being discarded versus cleaned. Clear notes make it easier to compare bids and line them up with your flood or homeowners policy.
Truck-mounted and portable pumps remove standing water from basements, crawl spaces and lower levels. A crew can also pull soaked carpet and pad so drying can start right away. If water is still coming in, mention it so they can plan for a pump that runs until the source is under control.
Commercial dehumidifiers and air movers draw moisture out of framing, subfloors and concrete. A pro takes moisture readings each day and adjusts the setup until materials return to normal levels. Closing walls before that point can trap moisture and lead to odor or mold later.
When water sits more than a day or two, mold can start on drywall paper, wood and carpet backing. A local crew can look for growth, remove affected materials and clean framing. For larger areas, ask whether containment and air scrubbing are part of the plan.
After the space is dry, a contractor can hang and finish new drywall, replace baseboard and trim, and install flooring suited to a basement, such as luxury vinyl plank that tolerates moisture better than carpet or solid wood.
Sewer or storm water backup needs sanitizing and usually means removing porous items it touched. A pro can clean and disinfect the area and talk with you about a backflow valve so the same drain does not cause trouble in the next storm.
Many repeat basement floods trace back to a failed sump pump, a missing battery backup or downspouts dumping water next to the foundation. A crew can replace pumps, add a backup and extend downspouts so the next heavy rain stays outside.
This site is only for flood repair in Cedar Rapids, IA and nearby towns. We connect you with a pro who works in the area.
Share your town, what you need and how soon. There is no cost to ask and no obligation.
The costs, steps and questions on this page are general guides, so you know what to ask before you hire.
Ask any pro for a written estimate that lists the work, materials and timeline before the job starts.
Shut off power to a flooded basement at the breaker before stepping into the water, and stay out entirely if outlets or cords are submerged. Wear boots and gloves around river or sewer water.
Water extraction and drying for a typical basement often runs $1,500 to $5,000, depending on square footage, how long the water stood and how many days the equipment needs to run. Removing wet drywall and carpet adds labor and disposal. Ask the crew to list equipment by the day so you can see how the price builds.
Rebuilding a finished basement after a flood commonly lands between $15,000 and $40,000 for drywall, insulation, trim, doors and flooring. Choosing moisture-tolerant materials, such as vinyl plank and closed-cell insulation, can raise the upfront cost a little while lowering the damage from a future event.
Standard homeowners policies usually do not cover river flooding or groundwater, which falls under separate flood insurance. Sewer backup coverage is often an optional rider. A contractor can document damage and prepare an estimate, but your insurer decides what is covered, so read your policy and keep copies of every estimate, photo and receipt.
Before the next storm season, walk the outside of the house. Downspouts should discharge several feet from the foundation, soil should slope away from the walls and window well covers should be in place. Test the sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit and listening for it to kick on. If it is more than about ten years old, ask about replacing it before it fails during a downpour.
If the river is forecast to crest, move valuables, documents and electronics out of the basement early, and raise furniture onto blocks. Know where your main breaker and water shutoff are. Take a quick video walkthrough of the basement and its contents now, since a record of what you owned makes a claim much easier later.
After a flood, act within the first day if you can. Open windows when the outside air is drier than inside, run fans, and move wet rugs and boxes out. Do not run a household vacuum on standing water and avoid using HVAC equipment that took on water until it is checked. Even when the floor looks dry, framing and drywall can still be holding moisture.
When comparing bids, make sure each one covers the same drying time, demolition and rebuild items. Ask whether the crew will provide moisture logs, how they handle contents and whether they will work directly with your adjuster. Homes in older neighborhoods like Czech Village, Time Check and Oakhill Jackson may have stone or block foundations, so mention your foundation type early.
Local crews often work in Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Ely, Palo and Fairfax too. Share your address and project details to see if a pro serves your location.
As soon as it is safe. Mold can begin growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so getting water out and drying started the same day limits how much has to be torn out later.
Drywall touched by clean water for a short time can sometimes be dried in place. Drywall soaked by river or sewer water, or wet for more than a day or two, is usually cut out a couple of feet above the waterline and replaced.
It depends on the cause. A burst pipe is often covered, while river flooding and groundwater usually need separate flood insurance. Sewer backup is often a rider. Check your policy and talk with your insurer.
Most basements take three to five days with commercial equipment, though concrete and thick framing can take longer. A pro should confirm with moisture readings rather than going by feel.
If water came up through a floor drain during a storm, a backflow valve can help keep sewer water from reversing into the house. A plumber can tell you whether your line is a good candidate.
Tell us where the home is, what you are seeing and how soon you need help. We can connect you with a nearby pro in the Cedar Rapids area to talk through the job and next steps.
No obligation and no pressure.
5 hurricanes and 35 tornadoes survived. This is DC’s storm kit, picked for the hours and days after the lights go out, whether it is a derecho, a tornado warning or an ice storm in Cedar Rapids, IA: backup power, water, light, a weather radio, first aid and food. Every pick opens on Amazon in a new tab.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through the Amazon links on this page, at no extra cost to you.
Keep the fridge, phones, lights and Wi-Fi going when the grid goes down. Gas inverter generators handle the big loads; battery power stations and a solar power bank cover quiet power for devices.
#1Open-frame inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 4,200 peak / 3,300 running watts. AIVOLT lists up to 16 hours of runtime on its 2.6-gallon tank in ECO mode, CO shutdown, a low-oil alert, parallel capability, an RV-ready outlet and USB ports, at 54.3 lb and 68 dB.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonPhoto: AIVOLT (manufacturer product photo), via aivoltshop.com
Solar generator kit
A 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station with 1,800W rated AC output, sold as a kit with a 200W solar panel (the listing says the panel ships separately).
Check what the kit includes and which appliances fit within 1,800W before buying.
View on Amazon
#3Gas inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 2,350 surge / 1,900 running watts, about 39 lb, with a fuel shutoff feature.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a WEN inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#4Power station
A 292Wh portable power station with 300W rated AC output (600W surge), 2 AC outlets, a USB-C PD port, and a weight of about 7.5 lb.
Best for phones, laptops, lights and small devices. Check device wattage first.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a Jackery power station, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#5Open-frame inverter generator
A gas inverter generator rated 4,400 peak / 3,400 running watts, with an RV outlet and a 2-gallon tank with fuel gauge.
Run gas generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows. Carbon monoxide can kill.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a open-frame inverter generator, not this exact model. Photo: P1898, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#6Solar power bank
A 49,800mAh power bank with a solar panel, wireless charging, 4 built-in cables and 22.5W fast charging.
Solar charging is slow. Charge it fully from a wall outlet before a storm.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a solar power bank, not this exact model. Photo: Pinguinguy, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Store it, filter it, or pull it from the air. Ready.gov suggests at least one gallon of water per person per day, for several days.
Water jugs
Two 5-gallon BPA-free HDPE water jugs with a spigot and two cap openings.
Clean and refill stored water on a regular schedule.
View on AmazonWater bladder
A food-grade TPU water bladder that holds 60 gallons and folds flat when empty, with a 3/4-inch garden-hose thread fitting.
A full 60-gallon bladder is very heavy. Set it on a surface that can carry the weight.
View on AmazonWater filter
A push-button pump filter for river, lake or stream water. It recharges by USB-C, a built-in solar panel or a hand crank, and the listing rates one filter core at 5,000 liters.
Follow the maker’s directions for treating water before drinking.
View on AmazonWater from air
A plug-in (110V) unit the listing says makes up to 10 liters of cold drinking water a day from the air, with no plumbing.
Needs electrical power to run. Check the listing for output conditions and filter care.
View on AmazonLight to work by after dark, a NOAA weather radio for alerts, and push-to-talk radios to keep the crew or family in touch.
#11LED lantern
An LED lantern with 3 light modes (daylight white, full brightness, warm white), a top handle and a base hook. The shade comes off for a shorter light.
Check the listing for battery type and runtime.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a LED camping lantern, not this exact model. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Work light
A 3-head LED flood light rated at 15,000 lumens and 6500K, with a 1.6 m stand. It runs on DeWalt 20V batteries.
Tool only: battery and charger are not included.
View on Amazon
#13Weather radio
A NOAA/AM/FM radio with a 12,000mAh battery that charges by solar panel, hand crank or USB-C, or runs on 3 AAA batteries.
Check that NOAA weather radio reaches your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a emergency crank radio, not this exact model. Photo: Morn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#144G walkie-talkies
Push-to-talk radios that use 4G cellular (PoC) instead of radio range. The listing says a SIM with lifetime free data is included. 2,500mAh battery, USB-C charging.
Uses the cellular network, so check service in your area.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a walkie-talkies, not this exact model. Photo: Wtshymanski at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A well-stocked first aid kit and meals that need no fridge.
#15First aid kit
A 430-piece kit in a labeled, compartmented 1680D polyester bag, with bandages, gloves, a CPR face shield, a tourniquet and a first aid manual.
A kit is not a substitute for first aid training or emergency care.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a first aid kit, not this exact model. Photo: Renée Kools, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
#16Emergency food
Freeze-dried entrées, up to 120 servings, in a flood-safe bucket with a handle. The listing says it lasts up to 25 years in cool, dry storage.
Check servings, calories and allergens on the listing.
View on AmazonRepresentative photo of a freeze-dried emergency food, not this exact model. Photo: Gigs, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
See the storm and outage gear we recommend above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through those links.
CEDAR RIVER