Signs you need a crew now
- More than an inch of standing water - anywhere
- Water rising through the floor drain or wall cracks
- Sump pump dead, tripped, or can't keep up
- A sewage smell - that's contaminated water, don't touch it
What happens when you call
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Tell us what happened. 30 seconds - how deep, and where it's coming from.
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You're connected with a local restoration crew while you're on the line.
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The crew confirms timing and sets your arrival time with you directly.
Why this one can't wait
Basement walls and slab soak up gallons you can't see, and mold gets established in 24-48 damp hours. Every hour underwater moves more of your stuff from "salvageable" to "loss."
And a deeply flooded basement has to be drained slowly - empty it too fast and groundwater pressure can crack the foundation. That judgment call is the crew's job, not yours. More detail in the salvage guide.
Local to Hillsborough County
Tampa runs on daily summer thunderstorms and the hurricane cone - wind-driven rain through soffits and sliders, storm surge in the flood zones, and a water table that gives runoff nowhere to go. The CBS slab housing stock hides supply lines under concrete, and in this humidity wet drywall starts growing mold in 24 to 48 hours.
Florida policies may have a separate hurricane deductible. Whether it applies depends on the storm and the statutory hurricane period. Check your policy. Storm surge is flood insurance, not homeowner's, no matter what the hurricane did above the waterline. Everyday failures use your standard deductible.
Serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Largo, and all of Hillsborough County.
Flooded basement questions
Can't I just pump it out myself?
A few inches of clean water with the power off - maybe. Deep water needs a slow, staged drain-down so the foundation isn't damaged, plus extraction from the slab and walls a shop vac can't touch.
Is basement flooding covered by insurance?
A burst pipe is typically covered by a homeowner's policy. Surface flooding is typically covered by flood insurance. Sewer backup is typically covered only with a sewer or water backup endorsement. Groundwater seepage is generally not covered by either, unless it was caused by a covered flood event. Review your policy, including endorsements. See the coverage guide.
What about the furnace and water heater?
Don't relight or power anything that took water - the crew has them inspected. Submerged gas valves and controls are typically replaced, not dried.
Hurricane water came in - wind or surge?
It's the deciding question: wind-driven rain through damage is a homeowner's claim under the hurricane deductible; surge from the bay is flood insurance. Photograph water lines and entry points before cleanup.