Flood Damage Cleanup Kennesaw GA

Flood damage cleanup: the short answer

Water that comes in from outside, from heavy rain, an overflowing creek or runoff, is treated as contaminated, so flood cleanup means protective gear, removal of porous materials, cleaning, disinfection and thorough drying. Stay out of floodwater, don't drive through it, and don't turn on electricity in a flooded home until it's been checked. Call (770) 555-0186 to speak with a local water damage restoration contractor in the Kennesaw area.

Is it flood damage or water damage?

The difference matters for both cleanup and insurance. Flood damage comes from surface water entering from outside: storm runoff, a rising creek, water pooling against the foundation. Water damage usually means a sudden release from inside the home, such as a burst pipe. For the full picture, see our page on Kennesaw water damage restoration.

How urgent is it?

Floodwater is dangerous before it's damaging.

The National Weather Service reported that most of the deaths in the September 2009 Georgia floods were people in vehicles where water crossed roads. The CDC warns that floodwater may contain sewage and other contaminants and says the best protection is to stay out of it.

Once the water recedes, the clock starts. The CDC advises assuming a flooded home that has been closed up for several days has mold, and the EPA's 24 to 48 hour drying window still applies.

Flooding in Kennesaw and Cobb County

The September 2009 floods are the local benchmark. Estimates from the Southeast River Forecast Center showed a narrow band of about 20 inches of rain over six days, and the National Weather Service said about 20,000 homes, businesses and other buildings in Georgia sustained major damage. Butler Creek at Kennesaw crested at 14.27 feet against a 12-foot flood stage, and the Sweetwater Creek basin to the south reached the 500-year flood level. Noonday Creek, which begins near Kennesaw Mountain, also flooded in July 2005 after Hurricane Dennis. See flood risk in Kennesaw and Cobb County.

What happens during the visit

Safety assessment
Electrical, gas and structural hazards are checked before work starts. The CDC says not to reenter a damaged home until a building inspector has examined it.
Water and mud removal
Pumps and extractors remove water, and silt and debris are shoveled and cleaned out.
Tear-out of porous materials
Carpet, pad, insulation and the lower drywall exposed to floodwater are generally removed.
Clean and disinfect
Remaining surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and contents are sorted into keep, clean or discard.
Dry and verify
Structural drying continues until readings show framing and subfloors are dry.

Flood insurance basics

Homeowners policies generally exclude flood, so flood damage is usually paid only under a separate flood policy, such as one through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. Most new NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period, so coverage can't be bought as a storm approaches. Photograph everything, including the water line on walls, and list anything you throw away.

What affects the cost

Depth of water: the higher the water line, the more drywall and insulation come out.
Silt and debris: mud cleanup adds labor and disposal.
Contents: furniture and belongings touched by floodwater often can't be saved.
Mold already present: a delay before cleanup can add mold remediation.

Compare estimates with our water damage cost guide.

Questions to ask before you hire

Will you treat this as Category 3 water, and what protective steps does that mean?
What will you remove, and how high up the walls?
How will you document contents and damage for a flood claim?
How will you confirm the framing is dry before walls are closed up?

Flood cleanup around Kennesaw

Homes near creeks and low spots are most exposed, and 2009 showed how far the problem reached, including Powder Springs, where Sweetwater Creek crested more than 18 feet above flood stage. Calls also come from the Kennesaw Mountain area, Acworth and Cartersville.

What to have ready when you call

how high the water rose inside and whether it has receded
whether power and gas are off
whether you have a separate flood policy
which rooms and floors were affected

Frequently asked questions

Is floodwater dangerous?

Yes. The CDC warns that floodwater may contain sewage and other contaminants and advises staying out of it. If you must enter, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles, and wash with soap and clean water afterward.

Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?

Generally not. Flood damage from surface water is usually covered only by a separate flood policy, and most new NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period before they take effect.

What has to be thrown away after a flood?

Porous materials soaked by floodwater, such as carpet, pad, insulation and the lower part of drywall, are generally removed because floodwater is treated as contaminated. Photograph and list items before discarding them.

How bad was the 2009 flood in Kennesaw?

The National Weather Service recorded Butler Creek at Kennesaw cresting at 14.27 feet against a 12-foot flood stage on September 21, 2009, during floods that caused major damage to about 20,000 Georgia buildings.