Water damage · Emergency service
Water damage restoration
Water damage restoration removes standing water, dries the structure to a measured dry standard, and repairs or replaces what can't be saved. Starting within the first 24–48 hours limits mold growth and keeps more drywall, flooring and cabinets salvageable.
Most water losses start inside the house: a failed supply line, a water heater, a slab leak, a frozen pipe, or an AC drain pan overflowing. Outside water arrives through flash flooding, wind-driven rain, storm-damaged roofs and, in cold states, ice dams.
A restoration crew starts with a moisture map, not a guess. Meters and thermal cameras show how far water has wicked into drywall, baseboards and subfloor, and that map decides what gets dried in place and what gets cut out.
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 All 50 states + D.C.
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Water damage restoration at a glance
- Category
- Water damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Stop the source and assess
- Area
- All 50 states + D.C.
Signs you need water damage restoration
- Standing water, or carpet that squishes underfoot
- Drywall that's soft, bubbling or stained at the bottom edge
- Baseboards pulling away or swelling
- Laminate or wood floors cupping or lifting
- A musty smell that appears a day or two after a leak
How the work is done
- 1
Stop the source and assess
The water source is shut off or isolated, then the crew maps moisture and photographs every affected area for your insurance file.
- 2
Extract
Truck-mounted or portable extractors pull standing water from carpet, pad and hard surfaces; wet pad is usually removed.
- 3
Dry and monitor
Air movers and dehumidifiers are placed by the square footage and moisture class. Readings are logged daily until materials reach a dry standard.
- 4
Repair
Removed drywall, baseboard, insulation and flooring are replaced, either by the restoration company or a contractor you choose.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies quote after an assessment. These factors drive the number:
- How much area is wet and how long it sat before drying started
- Category of water: clean supply line, gray water or sewage
- Materials involved (hardwood, laminate, cabinets and plaster dry differently)
- Number of drying days and pieces of equipment
- Whether demolition and rebuild are included
What to do right now
Safe to do yourself
- Shut off the main water valve and, if water is near outlets, the breaker for that area
- Move furniture off wet carpet and put foil or blocks under the legs
- Photograph everything before anything is thrown out
Call a professional if…
- Water came from a toilet, drain or sewer line, or from outside floodwater
- Ceilings are sagging or water is running near light fixtures
- Water has been sitting more than 48 hours
Water damage restoration questions
How long does it take to dry a house after water damage?
Most rooms reach a dry standard in three to five days with professional equipment. Hardwood, plaster and heavily saturated subfloors can take longer, and daily moisture readings decide when drying ends.
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage?
Most U.S. homeowners policies cover sudden, accidental water damage such as a burst pipe, but not long-term leaks or flood water from outside, which needs separate flood coverage. Your policy wording decides, so call your carrier early.
Can I stay in my house during water damage drying?
Usually, yes. Drying equipment is loud and warm, so many families avoid the affected rooms. Sewage losses or large demolition are the common reasons to leave.
Where this service is available
Available in all 50 states and D.C. These cities have their own local pages:
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
Structural drying
Structural drying removes moisture that has soaked into walls, framing, subfloors and cabinets after the visible water is gone.
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 more
Burst pipe water damage
A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons an hour, so shutting the main valve comes first, then extraction and drying.
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.