A water damage company stops the spread, pulls out standing water, removes what can't be saved, and dries the house with fans and dehumidifiers while tracking moisture readings. Most jobs take a few days of drying before repairs start.
1. Inspection
They find where the water went using moisture meters and often a thermal camera, since water spreads under floors and inside walls. They also judge how dirty the water is: clean, gray or sewage.
2. Water removal
Pumps and truck-mounted or portable extractors pull standing water out of floors and carpet.
3. Tear-out of what can't be dried
Soaked carpet pad, swollen baseboards and wet drywall along the bottom of walls are often removed so the space behind can dry. Anything touched by sewage is usually thrown out.
4. Drying
Air movers and dehumidifiers run day and night, usually for a few days. The crew comes back to take moisture readings until materials are back to normal.
5. Documentation
Photos, moisture readings and daily drying logs. This paperwork helps your insurance claim, so ask for copies.
6. Repairs
Some companies also rebuild drywall, flooring and cabinets. Others hand off to a contractor once the house is dry.
Questions to ask before they start
- Are you IICRC certified for water damage?
- Will you give me a written work authorization and itemized invoice?
- Do you bill my insurance company directly, and what will I owe?
- Will I get copies of your photos and drying logs?
More on picking one: can I choose my own water damage company?
Common questions
How fast should they show up?
For active water, ideally the same day. The longer materials stay wet, the more has to be torn out.
Do I have to be home?
Usually for the first visit, to sign paperwork and show them around. Follow-up moisture checks may not need you there.
Will insurance pay the water damage company?
For a covered loss, reasonable drying costs are usually part of the claim. You're still responsible for your deductible.