Directory

Water damage and flood restoration companies

A burst pipe, a failed water heater or a flood needs water out fast: extraction, drying equipment and moisture readings, usually within the first day or two, before mold can start. These companies answer that call, most of them around the clock.

From standing water to a dry, rebuilt room

Illustrations made for this site, not work by the companies listed.

Living room and kitchen under standing floodwater, with a waterline and peeling plaster along the walls
The same living room and kitchen restored, with light oak flooring and fresh white walls

What happens first

  1. Stop the water and stay safe. For a burst pipe, shut off the main water valve. Stay out of standing water where outlets, cords or appliances may be live, and switch off power at the breaker only if you can reach it without standing in water.
  2. Take photos and video of the water and everything it touched, before anything is moved or thrown out. Your insurer will ask for them.
  3. Call your insurer and a restoration company. Both can happen the same day, and most restoration companies are used to working with insurers.
  4. Extraction and drying. The crew pumps and extracts the water, then sets up air movers and dehumidifiers. They take moisture readings each day until walls, floors and framing are dry, which can take days, and longer after heavy flooding.
  5. Removal and rebuild. Carpet pad, drywall and insulation that cannot be dried in time are cut out and replaced.

Why speed matters: the CDC's mold-prevention guidance is to clean and dry wet items within 48 to 72 hours (CDC, preventing mold), and its cleanup guidance says within 24 to 48 hours if possible (CDC, cleaning safely after a disaster). Why the source matters: flood water from outside or sewage backup carries contamination, so materials it touched are usually removed rather than dried.

What the federal agencies say to do first

These points come from federal agencies and are linked to the page we read on 10/05/2026, with the date that page shows. They are general guidance, not advice for your home. In an emergency, call 911.

  • Do not go inside if the damage is obvious. The CDC says: "Don't go inside your home if there is obvious damage, like downed power lines, downed trees, or cracks in your home's walls or foundation." (CDC, returning home, April 30, 2026)
  • Keep away from wet electrical equipment. The CDC says: "Never turn the power on/off or use an electrical tool or appliance that is wet or when you are standing in water." (same page)
  • Treat floodwater as contaminated. Ready.gov says to avoid wading in floodwater, which "can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris." (Ready.gov, floods, updated August 27, 2026)
  • Run generators only outdoors. Ready.gov says to use generators "ONLY outdoors and away from windows." (same page)
  • Protect yourself when cleaning up mold. The CDC says to put on "an N95 respirator mask, goggles, and protective gloves." (CDC, returning home)
  • Know when mold is a job for a professional. The EPA's guidance is that a moldy area under about 10 square feet, roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch, is one you can handle yourself, and that larger areas or significant water damage call for professionals experienced in mold cleanup (EPA, mold cleanup in your home, June 4, 2026). See mold remediation companies.

Water damage by the numbers

  • Floods are common. Ready.gov says: "Floods are the most common disaster in the United States." (Ready.gov, floods)
  • A little water costs a lot. A 2023 FEMA flood insurance flyer says: "Just 1 inch of floodwater can cause roughly $25,000 of damage to your home." That is FEMA's figure for flooding, not a price for any one job (FEMA flood insurance program flyer, August 2023).
  • Insurance often does not cover flood. FloodSmart, FEMA's flood insurance site, says: "Most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding." Ask your insurer what your policy covers before you sign anything (FloodSmart, the cost of flooding, page undated).

Where to get help

  • FEMA disaster assistance. DisasterAssistance.gov, an official FEMA site, says: "We can help you apply for FEMA disaster assistance and guide you to other resources to help you recover."
  • 211. 211, run by United Way, says: "211 connects you to expert, caring help." Disaster recovery is one of the kinds of help it lists.
  • Cleanup guidance. CDC, EPA and Ready.gov.

Sources

Each page was read on 10/05/2026; the date is the one the page shows.

  1. CDC, "Returning home after a natural disaster," April 30, 2026.
  2. CDC, "Preventing mold," reviewed August 26, 2026.
  3. EPA, "Mold cleanup in your home," updated June 4, 2026.
  4. Ready.gov, "Floods," updated August 27, 2026.
  5. FEMA flood insurance program flyer, "Just 1 inch of floodwater," August 2023.
  6. FloodSmart, "The cost of flooding," undated.
  7. DisasterAssistance.gov and 211.org, undated.

Questions to ask before you hire

How soon can a crew get here?

Water keeps spreading and soaking in, so ask when a crew can arrive, not just when someone can call back. Many water damage companies run around the clock.

Are your technicians certified?

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) sets the industry's common standard, and its Water Damage Restoration Technician course is the usual credential. Ask whether the crew coming to your home holds it.

Will you work with my insurance company?

Most restoration companies do, and many bill the insurer directly. In most cases you choose the company; your insurer may suggest one. Ask for a written estimate, and check with your insurer before signing anything that assigns your claim to the company.

How will I know it is dry?

A good crew measures moisture in walls and floors with meters and keeps a written drying log until the readings reach normal levels. Ask to see it before equipment leaves and walls are closed up.

Are you licensed and insured?

Licensing rules differ by state, so ask what applies where you live, and ask for proof of liability insurance.

Does Restoration Advertising check these companies?

No. The companies supplied their own listings, and the directory does not rate, rank or vet them. That is why the questions above are worth asking whoever you call.

What a water-damaged home often needs next