How Emergency Water Damage Restoration Works

What happens, and roughly when

These are typical ranges, not guarantees. Size of the loss, water type, materials and humidity change the schedule, and we tell you if the plan changes.

The seven steps in detail

1. Call or send your request. Tell us the address, where the water came from and how far it has spread. We give you safe steps to follow right away and an arrival window for the crew. If you cannot reach the shutoff, say so and we will talk you through it.
2. Make the area safe and stop the source. The crew checks for electrical and slip hazards before anything else. If the leak is still running, we help isolate it, or tell you when a plumber is needed to finish the fix.
3. Extract the standing water. Pumps and extractors pull water from floors, carpet and padding. Removing as much as possible mechanically means less moisture for the drying equipment to handle later.
4. Map the moisture. Moisture meters and thermal imaging show where water traveled, including inside walls and under flooring you cannot see. We photograph the readings and record them as a baseline.
5. Remove what cannot be saved. Some materials will not dry in time, such as soaked carpet padding or drywall exposed to contaminated water. We explain what has to come out and why before we remove it.
6. Dry the structure. Air movers and dehumidifiers go in and are repositioned as readings change. Technicians return to check moisture levels, and drying stops only when materials reach their target.
7. Clean, sanitize and document. Affected surfaces and contents are cleaned. You receive photos, moisture logs and equipment records that you can give to your insurer.

For a deeper look at the drying stage, read the water damage restoration process, step by step.

What to do while you wait for the crew

1. Shut off the water at the main valve or the fixture shutoff if you can reach it safely.
2. Turn off power to the affected area at the breaker. Never step into standing water if outlets or appliances may be live.
3. Take photos and video of the damage and the water source before moving anything. Your insurer will ask for them.
4. Lift valuables, papers and electronics above the waterline and pull up loose rugs.
5. Avoid contact with floodwater or sewage: it can carry bacteria. Do not run a household vacuum on wet floors.
6. Call us. The sooner extraction and drying start, the less structural damage and mold risk you face.

More detail is in our guide on what to do in a water damage emergency.

What we need from you

• The property address and the best phone number to reach you.
• Where the water came from, if you know, and whether it is still running.
• Whether the water is clean, from an appliance, or from a sewer or flood.
• The location of your main water shutoff and electrical panel.
• Your insurance company and claim number, if you already have one.

Why the type of water changes the plan

Clean water from a supply line is handled differently from gray water from a washing machine or sewage and flood water. Contaminated water means more materials are removed and more cleaning is done, and it is one reason two jobs with the same amount of water can differ in cost. See what water damage restoration is for the categories explained.

After the drying is done

When readings show the structure is dry, you receive your records and the crew removes the equipment. If walls, ceilings or floors need rebuilding, you can use those records to get repair quotes and to support your claim. Questions about coverage are covered in our guides on filing a water damage insurance claim and what homeowners insurance covers. If a bill ever looks higher than expected, read what to do when a restoration bill is higher than insurance paid.

We serve the whole state, including Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Fort Myers. Browse all Florida service areas or read the full FAQ.

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