Water damage restoration covers two jobs that often get blurred together. Mitigation stops the damage: removing water, taking out materials that can't be saved and drying the structure. Reconstruction puts the house back: drywall, flooring, cabinets, paint. Some Sonoma County companies do both; others hand off to a general contractor. Either way, ask who is responsible for each stage before work starts.
What a provider does on the first visit
- Finds and confirms the water source is stopped, or arranges a plumber or roofer if it isn't.
- Maps moisture with meters and, often, thermal imaging, so wet areas behind walls and under floors aren't missed.
- Extracts standing water and removes soaked padding, insulation or drywall that can't be dried in place.
- Sets up air movers and dehumidifiers and records readings every day until materials reach dry targets.
- Documents the job with photos and moisture logs, which your insurer will usually want.
Clean water, gray water and floodwater
What the water touched matters as much as how much there is. A supply-line leak is usually treated differently from river or creek floodwater, which can carry sewage, fuel and chemicals. Floodwater calls for more removal of porous materials and for cleaning before anything is closed up. Our deep dive on the water damage drying process explains the categories in plain English.
Before you sign anything
Check the company's license on the CSLB license lookup. CSLB says work totaling $1,000 or more in labor and materials needs a licensed contractor, and in a declared disaster area contracting without a license is a felony (CSLB disaster guidance). CSLB also advises paying no more than 10 percent down or $1,000, whichever is less.
Want a local pro to take a look?It's free for homeowners and there's no obligation.
Related help
- Emergency water removal if water is still standing
- Flood cleanup for river, creek and storm flooding
- The complete Sonoma County water damage guide
- Mold after a leak: our sister site Sonoma Mold Removal
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
- Emergency water removal
- Flood cleanup
- Burst pipe water damage
- Sewage backup cleanup
- Storm damage restoration
Frequently asked questions
How long does drying take?
It depends on the materials and how wet they got. A provider should take daily readings and stop when materials reach dry targets, not on a fixed schedule.
Can I stay in my home?
Often yes for a small, clean-water leak. Larger losses, floodwater or sewage may make parts of the home unsafe until cleanup is done. Ask your provider and insurer.