When water is on the floor, the clock is running. The EPA says drying water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours helps prevent mold growth (EPA mold guide). Fast extraction is what makes that possible.
While you wait
- Keep everyone out of water that's near outlets, cords or appliances. If you can reach the electrical panel from a dry spot, switch off power to wet areas. If you can't, stay out.
- Stop the source. For a plumbing leak, close the main water valve. For a roof leak, catch the water and call a roofer about emergency tarping.
- Photograph and video every wet room and item before you move anything.
- Move furniture, rugs and boxes off wet floors, and put foil or blocks under furniture legs.
- Call your insurer and a restoration provider. Most policies expect reasonable steps to prevent more damage.
What extraction involves
Providers use truck-mounted or portable extractors to pull water out of carpet, pad and hard floors, then decide what can be dried in place. Wet carpet pad is often removed. Baseboards may come off so walls can dry. Once the bulk water is out, drying equipment goes in.
If the water came from outside
Floodwater from the Russian River, the Laguna de Santa Rosa, the Petaluma River or a local creek isn't the same as a pipe leak. Don't return until officials say it's safe, and treat everything the water touched as contaminated. See flood cleanup and our guide to returning home after a flood.
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Where we connect homeowners
- Water damage in Santa Rosa
- Water damage in Petaluma
- Water damage in Rohnert Park & Cotati
- Water damage in Windsor
- Water damage in Healdsburg
- Water damage in Sebastopol
- Water damage in Sonoma
- Water damage in Glen Ellen & Kenwood
- Water damage in Cloverdale
- Water damage in Guerneville & the lower Russian River
- Water damage in Forestville
Other services
- Water damage restoration
- Flood cleanup
- Burst pipe water damage
- Sewage backup cleanup
- Storm damage restoration
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a shop vac?
For a small clean-water spill on a hard floor, yes, if there's no electrical risk. For anything larger, or for floodwater, professional extraction and drying is usually the safer call.
Will my insurer pay for emergency extraction?
Many policies cover reasonable emergency mitigation after a covered loss. Check with your insurer and keep every receipt.