Water damage · Emergency service
Flood damage cleanup in Charleston, SC
Flood cleanup treats outside floodwater as contaminated: it removes water and mud, cuts out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline, sanitizes, and dries the structure. Floodwater carries sewage and chemicals, so porous materials it touched are usually discarded.
Flood damage cleanup in Charleston: local conditions
Partner coverage for water damage in Charleston currently includes 15 ZIP codes: 29401, 29402, 29403, 29406, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29413, 29414, 29417, 29422, 29424, 29425, 29457, 29492. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
King tides regularly flood downtown streets, and the frequency of tidal flooding has increased sharply in recent decades. Hurricane Hugo in 1989 devastated the area, and storms like Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017) flooded the peninsula. The city has spent years building deep drainage tunnels and pump stations to reduce peninsula flooding, but many streets still flood during heavy rain at high tide.
Historic homes have plaster walls, original wood floors and often crawlspaces or raised foundations. Newer homes are often slab or crawlspace construction.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Charleston, SC
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Flood damage cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Water damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Make safe
- Area
- Charleston, SC
Other risks in Charleston
Humidity and mold
Constant humidity means mold grows fast after a leak.
Historic single houses
Charleston single houses have long side piazzas, plaster walls and older roofs, and many sit just a few feet above sea level.
Rapid growth in surrounding areas
Fast-growing areas like Summerville and James Island add new homes in low-lying areas, where drainage can be a problem.
Signs you need flood damage cleanup
- Water entered from outside, at doors or through the slab
- A visible waterline on walls
- Mud or debris left on floors
How the work is done
Make safe, then Remove water and debris, then Flood cuts and sanitizing, then Dry and verify. See the full flood damage cleanup process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Charleston quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of flood damage cleanup cost factors.
Flood damage cleanup questions
Is tidal flooding covered by insurance in Charleston?
No. Tidal flooding and surge require flood insurance, not homeowners coverage.
Do I need a permit for repairs on a historic Charleston home?
Structural work needs permits from the City of Charleston, and exterior changes in historic districts may need Board of Architectural Review approval.
Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
Usually not. Rising water from outside is typically covered only by a flood policy (NFIP or private). Water from a burst pipe is a different claim under your homeowners policy.
Can drywall that got flood water be dried?
Generally no. Floodwater is contaminated, so the IICRC S500 standard calls for removing porous materials it soaked, including drywall and insulation, above the waterline.
Related pages
Other services in Charleston
Flood damage cleanup in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Charleston, or see flood damage cleanup nationwide.
Related services
Emergency water extraction
Water extraction is the first step of any water loss: removing standing and absorbed water with powerful pumps and extractors before drying starts.
Learn more
Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage cleanup treats the water as Category 3 (grossly contaminated): crews in protective gear remove it, discard porous materials it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the structure.
Learn more
Mold remediation
Mold remediation removes mold growth under containment so spores don't spread, cleans or discards affected materials, and corrects the moisture problem that let it grow.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.