Prior Lake

Water, Fire and Mold Restoration in Prior Lake, MN

Life in Prior Lake revolves around the water. Upper and Lower Prior Lake, Spring Lake and the many bays and channels mean a lot of lakeshore homes, walkout basements facing the water and seasonal cabins converted to year-round houses. That setting is beautiful, but it brings its own risks. PuroClean of Lakeville helps Prior Lake homeowners and businesses with water damage, fire and smoke cleanup, mold remediation and biohazard cleanup, 24 hours a day.

Restoration services Prior Lake, MN homeowners and businesses can call any hour: (952) 377-8477. PuroClean of Lakeville is based in the Lakeville area, a short drive from Prior Lake. Our IICRC-certified team handles water, fire, smoke, mold and biohazard damage, then the repairs. Estimates are free.

Office: 15195 Boulder Ct, Unit 50, Rosemount, MN 55068 · (952) 377-8477

Water Damage and Lakeshore Flooding

Prior Lake is landlocked, and its level depends on an outlet channel that drains toward the Minnesota River. In June 2014, heavy rain pushed the lake to a record level of about 906 feet, more than two feet above its ordinary high-water mark. Residents sandbagged shorelines, Scott County Highway 21 was partly or fully closed for weeks and the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District reported impacts to nearly 50 private structures (PLSLWD flood study).

Most water calls are less dramatic but still urgent: a walkout basement that takes on water during a downpour, groundwater seeping through a foundation, a frozen pipe in a lake cabin that was not winterized, or a failed sump pump while the family is away. Our water damage restoration service removes the water, measures moisture in hidden spaces and dries the home thoroughly. Our tips on preventing flooding from outside water are worth a read before spring.

Mold Problems in Lake Homes

Lake homes face higher humidity, seasonal occupancy and lower levels close to the water table, all of which help mold grow. Musty odors in a walkout, stained drywall near the floor or mold on stored items are common warning signs. Our mold remediation team contains the area, removes contaminated materials and helps you address the moisture that caused it. We also wrote about battling mold in lake homes.

Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

Fireplaces, wood stoves, fire pits close to the house and summer grilling on decks are all part of lake living, and all can lead to fire or smoke damage. Our fire and smoke damage restoration service handles board-up, soot removal, contents cleaning and odor control so your home is safe and livable again.

Biohazard Cleanup

Whether your home is on city sewer or a private septic system, a backup into a lower level is a health hazard, not just a mess. Our biohazard cleanup service also covers trauma scenes, unattended deaths and hoarding, handled with care and discretion.

Businesses and Rental Properties

Restaurants, marinas, shops along Main Avenue downtown and vacation rental owners can rely on our commercial restoration services when water or fire interrupts business.

Restoration Services Prior Lake, MN Lake Homes Need

Lake living changes how a house gets damaged. Walkout lower levels face the water, seasonal places sit empty for weeks, and many homes mix year-round living space with older cabin construction. Here is how our restoration services Prior Lake, MN owners call us for break down:

• Water in the walkout. Heavy rain, high groundwater and failed sump pumps send water into lake-level rooms. See water damage restoration in Prior Lake.
• Mold in closed-up spaces. Humid summers and rooms without airflow give mold a start. See mold remediation in Prior Lake.
• Fire and smoke. Fireplaces, wood stoves, grills and fire pits are part of lake life. See fire and smoke damage restoration in Prior Lake.
• Sewage and septic backups in lower levels. See biohazard cleanup.
• Odor removal, board-up, and repairs and reconstruction.

Each of these has a main service page too. Read how we handle water damage restoration, mold removal and fire damage restoration anywhere in the south metro, or browse all of our services.

Signs You Need Restoration Services Prior Lake, MN Crews Provide

• Water on the floor of a walkout or lake-level room after rain
• A musty smell when you open a closed-up cabin or storage room
• Stains on ceilings under bathrooms or around the chimney
• Soot or a smoke smell that lingers after a fireplace, stove or kitchen fire
• Sewage or dirty water coming up through a floor drain
• Warped flooring, peeling paint or baseboards pulling away from the wall

Any of these is worth a call. A free look from our restoration services Prior Lake, MN team tells you how far the damage goes and what it will take to fix.

What to Do Before We Arrive

1. Stay out of standing water near outlets, cords and appliances.
2. Close the main water valve if a pipe or fixture is leaking.
3. Take photos and video of every affected room.
4. Move small items to a dry room. Our crews lift and move heavy furniture.
5. Do not wipe soot or scrub mold, since both can spread.

High Water on the Lake

Prior Lake has no natural outlet, so the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District manages a constructed outlet channel that carries water toward the Minnesota River. When the lake is high, shoreline homes can see water in yards, boathouses and lower levels, and saturated ground can push water through foundations. If your home takes on water, our restoration services Prior Lake, MN crews remove it, measure moisture behind walls and under floors, and dry the structure. We come back for follow-up moisture-monitoring visits until it is dry.

Mold After High Water

When a lower level takes on lake or ground water, drywall, carpet pad and insulation can stay wet long after the floor looks dry. That trapped moisture is how mold gets started. Drying the structure quickly and checking it with moisture meters is the best way to help prevent mold. If mold has already started, our restoration services Prior Lake, MN mold team contains the area, removes what cannot be cleaned and works to eliminate any existing mold. The EPA guide to mold and moisture explains why controlling moisture comes first.

Cabins and Second Homes

Seasonal places carry extra risk. A pipe that freezes in January may not be found until the owners return in spring. A slow leak can run for weeks. Humidity builds when no one runs the fans or air conditioning. Before you close up for the season:

• Ask your plumber about shutting off and draining the water system.
• Set the heat to a safe level and leave interior doors open.
• Have a neighbor or friend check on the place, especially after cold snaps and storms.
• Store bedding, clothes and papers in plastic bins, not cardboard.

If you open the door to water, a musty smell or a ceiling stain, call (952) 377-8477. Restoration services Prior Lake, MN cabin owners need often start with finding out how long the water has been there.

Septic Systems and Sewage Backups

Some Prior Lake area properties are on city sewer, and some have private septic systems. Either one can back up into a lower level. Keep people and pets away, avoid touching the water and stop using drains. The EPA septic systems page explains how to care for a septic system. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN biohazard team wears protective gear, removes contaminated materials, cleans and disinfects, and dries the area.

Fire Safety at the Lake

Keep grills well away from siding, decks and overhangs. Have chimneys and wood stoves checked each year. Put fire pits on a clear, level spot away from trees and the house, and keep water or an extinguisher nearby. If a fire does happen, do not go back inside until the fire department says it is safe. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN fire team handles board-up, water removal, soot cleanup and odor removal.

Restoration Services Prior Lake, MN Businesses Count On

Restaurants, marinas, shops on Main Avenue, offices and short-term rentals all need a plan when water or fire stops business. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN businesses use are planned so you can reopen for customers as soon as the space is safe. We help offices, retail, rental and multi-unit properties, and industrial and warehouse buildings. See our commercial restoration services.

How a Prior Lake Job Works

1. Phone call. We answer 24/7 and walk you through what to do first.
2. Visit and free estimate. We arrive on-site quickly, inspect with moisture meters and a thermal camera, and explain the plan.
3. Protect and clean up. We lift furniture off wet floors, set up containment if needed and remove water, soot or damaged materials.
4. Dry and monitor. Air movers and dehumidifiers dry the structure, and we check progress on follow-up visits.
5. Repair. We handle repairs and reconstruction, so one team sees the job through.

A Year-Round Checklist for Lake Homes

Spring: test the sump pump before the ice goes out and check the walkout after every heavy rain. Summer: run a dehumidifier in the lower level and keep gutters clear before storm season. Fall: drain outdoor spigots and irrigation lines, and have the chimney and wood stove checked. Winter: keep the heat on in empty homes, and have someone check the place after cold snaps. These habits lower the odds you will need restoration services Prior Lake, MN residents call us for.

Caring for Your Belongings

Lake homes are full of things that are hard to replace, from family photos to furniture handed down through the years. We move belongings out of harm’s way, lift furniture off wet floors and help you sort what can be cleaned from what cannot. We photograph as we go so you have a record for your insurance company. That is part of the restoration services Prior Lake, MN families get from one team.

Insurance Help

We work with insurance companies and help document claims. On restoration services Prior Lake, MN jobs we take photos, moisture readings and notes you can share with your adjuster, and we can bill your insurance company directly. Your insurer decides what your policy covers. Flooding from rising lake water is often handled differently from a burst pipe, so ask your agent which kinds of water damage your policy includes. FloodSmart.gov explains how flood insurance works.

Getting Rid of Stale and Musty Odors

A cabin that sat closed all winter, a home bought from a smoker, or a lower level that flooded years ago can all hold onto smells. Opening windows helps for a day, then the smell returns. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN odor team finds what is holding the odor, such as carpet pad, drywall, cabinets or stored items, then cleans or removes it and treats the space. This works for tobacco smoke and other odors that did not come from a fire, as well as smoke odor after a fire.

Board-Up After a Fire or a Fallen Tree

Many Prior Lake lots have big, old trees, and storms can drop limbs onto roofs, decks and windows. A fire can also leave a house open to the weather. We cover broken windows, doors and roof openings with boards or tarps to keep out rain, snow and animals and to help secure the property. For lake homes that sit empty part of the year, closing up the house quickly matters even more, because no one may notice new damage for weeks. Board-up is part of the restoration services Prior Lake, MN owners can get from the same team that does the cleanup.

Rebuilding Lake-Level Rooms

Walkout lower levels are often the best rooms in a lake home, with a bar, a family room or guest bedrooms that open to the yard. After water, mold or fire damage, those rooms may need new drywall, insulation, flooring, trim and paint. Because restoration services Prior Lake, MN families get from us include reconstruction, one team carries the job from drying to the final coat of paint. We talk with you about materials before we rebuild, including choices that hold up better in a space close to the water.

Working Around Lake Life

Summer weekends at the lake are busy, and some owners only come up a few days a month. Tell us how you use the property and who should get updates, and we will plan visits and calls around that. If you rent the place out, let us know about upcoming bookings so we can talk through timing. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN crews also serve Savage, Shakopee, Credit River, Lakeville and the rest of the south metro, so if you own more than one place in the area, one call covers them all.

Questions Worth Asking Any Restoration Company

Before anyone starts tearing out drywall at your lake place, it is fair to ask a few things. Who is my main contact, and how will I get updates if I am not at the property? How will you check that walls and floors are dry, and will you come back to check again? What will be removed, and what can be cleaned and kept?

How will you document the damage for my insurance company? Can you handle the repairs, or will I need another contractor? Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN team answers these during the free estimate, and we keep you posted by phone or text when you are away from the lake.

Restoration Services Prior Lake, MN FAQ

Do you work on seasonal cabins?

Yes. Our restoration services Prior Lake, MN team works on year-round homes, cabins and rental properties.

Are you available 24/7?

Yes. We answer day and night, including weekends and holidays. Water and smoke keep causing damage after hours, so it is worth calling as soon as you find a problem rather than waiting for Monday.

Can you deal with mold in a walkout?

Yes. We find the moisture source, contain the area and work to eliminate any existing mold. Our article on mold in lake homes has prevention tips.

Are your technicians certified?

Yes. They are IICRC-certified, and PuroClean of Lakeville is licensed and insured.

Do you handle repairs after the cleanup?

Yes. Repairs and reconstruction are part of our restoration services Prior Lake, MN homeowners can count on, so you do not need a second contractor.

Is the estimate free?

Yes. Every restoration services Prior Lake, MN estimate is free, and we explain what we found before any work begins.

Prior Lake Emergency? Call (952) 377-8477

We answer 24/7. Call (952) 377-8477 or request service online. If water is rising near electrical panels or outlets, stay out of the area and wait for help.

We also help neighbors in Savage, Lakeville, Burnsville, Shakopee and Elko New Market.

Water damage? See our water damage restoration in Prior Lake page.

Prior Lake Frozen Pipe Guide

Before the next hard freeze, read our frozen pipes in Prior Lake checklist: where pipes freeze most, how to thaw them safely, and the first steps after a burst pipe.