Water damage · Emergency service
Flood damage cleanup in St. Louis, MO
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 St. Louis: local conditions
Partner coverage for water damage in St. Louis currently includes 61 ZIP codes: 63101, 63102, 63103, 63104, 63105, 63106, 63107, 63108, 63109, 63110, 63111, 63112, 63113, 63114, 63115, 63116, 63117, 63118, 63119, 63120, 63121, 63122, 63123, 63124, 63125, 63126, 63127, 63128, 63129, 63130, 63131, 63132, 63133, 63134, 63135, 63136, 63137, 63138, 63139, 63140, 63141, 63143, 63144, 63146, 63147, 63150, 63155, 63156, 63157, 63158, 63160, 63163, 63164, 63166, 63169, 63177, 63178, 63179, 63180, 63188, 63197. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Record rainfall on July 26, 2022 flooded homes and streets across St. Louis. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers flood low-lying areas, as in the great flood of 1993. The River des Peres, which carries both stormwater and sewage, overflows in heavy rain and floods nearby neighborhoods.
Brick homes with basements dominate, many with clay sewer laterals and floor drains connected to combined sewers. South City's brick homes and flats from the late 1800s to the 1930s have deep basements, original clay laterals and limestone or brick foundations that seep during heavy rain. Many are owner-occupied two-family flats, so leaks between floors are common.
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 St. Louis, MO
- 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
- St. Louis, MO
Other risks in St. Louis
Basement sewer backups
Combined sewers in older neighborhoods back up into basements during heavy rain.
Brick home basements
St. Louis's brick homes almost all have basements with floor drains connected to the sewer, which back up during heavy storms.
Ice storms and freezes
Winter ice storms and hard freezes knock out power and freeze pipes.
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 St. Louis 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 sewer backup covered by insurance in St. Louis?
Usually only with a sewer or water backup endorsement.
Do I need a permit for repairs in St. Louis?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of St. Louis Building Division.
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 St. Louis
Flood damage cleanup in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in St. Louis, 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.