Flood & Storm Damage Cleanup

Flood water is different from a burst pipe. It arrives carrying soil, sewage, fuel, pesticides and whatever else it crossed on the way to your door, it saturates everything from the ground up, and it often comes with wind, hail and roof damage at the same time. Flood and storm damage cleanup combines contaminated-water protocols with emergency structural protection to get a property stabilized, sanitary and dry.

When a storm hits, local restoration companies are stretched thin. Calling Water Restoration at (888) 755-3821 connects you quickly with a crew that serves your area so you are on a schedule rather than a waiting list.

Why flood water is treated as contaminated

Under the IICRC S500 standard, water from rivers, streams, storm surge and overland flow is Category 3, the same classification as sewage, regardless of how clean it looks. Flood water picks up bacteria, chemicals and debris, and once inside a structure it soaks into drywall, insulation, carpet pad and the bottom of cabinets. Those porous materials cannot be reliably sanitized and must be removed. Hard surfaces and structural framing can be cleaned, disinfected and dried.

Because contaminated water also soaks up through the wall from the floor, the standard practice is a "flood cut": removing drywall to a line well above the visible water mark so that wet insulation and the back side of the wall can be addressed.

Storm damage that leads to water damage

• Wind-lifted shingles, torn flashing and missing ridge caps that let rain into the attic
• Hail-punctured roofing and skylights
• Fallen trees and limbs that open the roof or walls
• Wind-driven rain forced through windows, doors and siding
• Clogged or overwhelmed gutters and downspouts dumping water at the foundation
• Power outages that stop sump pumps during the heaviest rain
• Flash flooding, overland flow and rising creeks, rivers and lakes
• Coastal storm surge and tidal flooding

Each of these needs both an emergency fix (tarping, board-up, pumping) and a drying and repair plan.

Our flood and storm cleanup process

1. Safety assessment. Crews confirm electrical hazards are controlled, check for structural damage and gas leaks, and set up protective equipment for contaminated water.
2. Emergency protection. Roof tarping, window and door board-up and temporary fencing keep further rain and intruders out.
3. Pumping and extraction. Submersible pumps and extractors remove standing water; mud, silt and debris are shoveled and hauled.
4. Demolition of contaminated materials. Carpet, pad, saturated drywall, insulation and damaged cabinetry are removed and disposed of.
5. Cleaning and disinfection. All remaining surfaces are pressure-washed or scrubbed and treated with an EPA-registered disinfectant.
6. Structural drying. Air movers, dehumidifiers and, for large or cold spaces, desiccant units dry framing and subfloor to target moisture levels, verified daily.
7. Rebuild. Insulation, drywall, flooring, trim, cabinets and finishes are replaced, and exterior repairs are completed.

Flood insurance versus homeowners insurance

Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude flooding from rising or surface water. That coverage comes from a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer. Wind and hail damage to the roof, and the rain that comes in through that damage, are typically covered by the homeowners policy. After a storm, many claims involve both policies, which is one reason thorough documentation of what water came from where matters.

If you do not have flood insurance and the event is federally declared, FEMA assistance and SBA disaster loans may be available. Restoration companies that work major storms regularly can tell you what documentation each program needs.

What to do while you wait for help

• Stay out of flood water when possible; it may be electrically charged or contaminated
• Turn off power at the main breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water
• Photograph and video everything before cleanup starts
• Move undamaged valuables, documents and electronics to a dry, elevated area
• Open windows and doors for ventilation if the weather allows
• Do not run the HVAC system if the ducts or air handler were under water
• Keep receipts for tarps, pumps, fans and temporary lodging

Why call Water Restoration after a storm

A storm that affects an entire region generates thousands of calls at once. We route your request to a restoration company that services your ZIP code and has crews available, so you are not working your way down a phone list while water sits in your home. Crews handle both the contaminated-water cleanup and the roof and exterior protection, and they document the loss for homeowners, flood and FEMA claims.