Plumber first, then restoration
If water is still coming in, the first call is a plumber to stop it. Once it's stopped, a restoration crew handles what's left: pumping out standing water, pulling up wet carpet and pad, cutting out soaked drywall, and running commercial dehumidifiers and air movers until moisture readings are back to normal.
Calling here gets you to both.
What happens on a restoration job
- Inspection and moisture mapping with meters, so hidden wet areas in walls and under floors aren't missed
- Water extraction with truck-mounted or portable pumps
- Removal of materials that can't be dried, such as carpet pad and the bottom of saturated drywall
- Structural drying for several days, checked daily
- Cleaning and treatment to prevent mold and odor
- Rebuild, either by the same company or your own contractor
Insurance
Restoration companies work with insurance claims every day and usually document everything your adjuster will want: photos, moisture readings and equipment logs. Before you agree to anything, ask whether they'll bill your insurer directly and what you'll owe for the deductible.
Take your own photos before anything is moved or thrown away.
Basement and crawlspace water
Heavy spring rain, a failed sump pump or a backed-up main drain are common causes of basement flooding. Crawlspaces are easy to ignore: standing water under the house raises humidity and invites mold and wood rot, so it's worth a look after any big storm.