Flood Cleanup in Houston: Floodwater Removal and Drying

Before you go back in

Floodwater brings hazards that a leaking pipe doesn't. Ready.gov's flood guidance is clear on the basics:

• Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
• Don't touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity only if it is safe to do so.
• Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and hide dangerous debris.
• Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots if you have to walk through wet areas.

Keep children and pets out of flooded rooms until the water has been removed.

What flood cleanup covers through this line

Flood cleanup can cover a lot of different work. Through this number, the service is limited to two parts:

• Floodwater removal and extraction: pumping out standing water and extracting it from floors, carpet and pad.
• Drying: air movers, dehumidifiers and moisture readings to dry the structure after the water is out.

Tearing out drywall or flooring, debris hauling, sanitizing, mold remediation and rebuilding aren't offered through this line. If your home needs that work, you'll need to arrange it separately.

Drying after a flood uses the same kind of equipment described on the water damage restoration page, usually across more rooms and for longer.

Why floodwater is different from a burst pipe

Water from a supply line starts out clean. Floodwater from outside has run across streets, yards and drainage systems, so treat it as contaminated from the start. That affects what can be dried and kept, especially soft materials such as carpet pad and upholstered furniture.

Floodwater also tends to reach many rooms at once and to sit against the lower part of every wall it touches. A larger area and a longer soak usually mean more drying equipment and a longer drying period.

Where floodwater collects in Houston homes

After a tropical storm or an afternoon downpour, water often gets in at the lowest point first: garages, back doors, sliding doors and ground-floor rooms. Streets and drainage can back up quickly during heavy rain, and yards that slope toward the house send water to the foundation and doorways.

Not every storm-day leak is floodwater. If the water came from a pipe, water heater, air conditioner or appliance instead, see water removal in Houston for what to do first.

The Harris County Flood Control District publishes interactive mapping tools that show flood risk and drainage in Harris County and the City of Houston, if you want to understand the risk at your address.

Flood insurance and what to record

FloodSmart, the National Flood Insurance Program's website, notes that most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood policies are separate. If you have one, contact your insurer as early as you can.

Before water is removed or anything is thrown out, take photos and video of the water level, each affected room and damaged belongings. Write down when the water came in and when it went down.

Flooding at a business or rental property

If the flooded property is a shop, office, warehouse or rental unit, mention that when you call. You can confirm whether the property can be handled through this line and explain how many units or areas are affected.