Does homeowners insurance cover creek flooding?

Standard homeowner policies generally exclude flooding from surface water, which is covered by separate flood insurance. Read your policy and ask your agent before assuming either way.

How do I know if my lot is in a floodplain?

FEMA flood maps and the City of Wheat Ridge can tell you whether a property is in a mapped floodplain. Ask the city's floodplain contact if the map is hard to read.

Mold After Clear Creek or Lena Gulch High Water

Why outside water is different

Clear Creek runs across the northern part of Wheat Ridge, and smaller drainages such as Lena Gulch feed into it. Heavy summer storms can push stormwater across yards and into window wells, crawlspace vents and basement doors even where a home is not in a mapped floodplain. That water picks up soil, lawn chemicals and sometimes sewage on the way in.

Because it is dirty, porous materials it touches, such as carpet, pad, drywall and insulation, are generally removed rather than dried in place. The clock matters too: mold can begin growing on wet organic material within a day or two, so the first week determines whether the job stays a water cleanup or becomes a mold remediation.

A realistic timeline after stormwater gets in

Exact timing depends on how much water came in and how fast help arrives, but the order rarely changes.

First hours: Make it safe, photograph everything, call your insurer, and begin removing water if it is safe.
Day 1 to 2: Pull soaked carpet, pad and contents. Cut wet drywall well above the waterline. Start air movers and dehumidifiers.
Day 2 to 5: Monitor moisture in framing and concrete daily. Remove anything that is not drying. Watch for musty odor and spotting.
Week 1 to 2: If growth appears, set containment before more demolition. Clean and HEPA vacuum framing; replace what cannot be cleaned.
Before rebuild: Confirm dry readings, a visual check for residue, and that grading, window wells and drains are corrected.

Dry in place or remove?

Often dried and kept

Concrete floors and foundation walls
Solid wood framing that dries quickly
Metal ducts and fixtures that can be cleaned

Usually removed after outside water

Carpet and pad
Drywall and insulation below and just above the waterline
Particleboard furniture and cardboard storage
Upholstered items that stayed wet

Records to keep from day one

Photos of the waterline on walls and of every damaged item
Dates and times water entered and when drying started
Moisture readings, if a contractor takes them
Receipts for fans, dehumidifiers and disposal
Your claim number and adjuster contact

Common questions

Does homeowners insurance cover creek flooding?: Standard homeowner policies generally exclude flooding from surface water, which is covered by separate flood insurance. Read your policy and ask your agent before assuming either way.
How do I know if my lot is in a floodplain?: FEMA flood maps and the City of Wheat Ridge can tell you whether a property is in a mapped floodplain. Ask the city's floodplain contact if the map is hard to read.

General information for Wheat Ridge, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.