Water removal: the short answer
Standing water should come out as fast as possible, because every hour it sits lets it wick into drywall, subfloors and framing. Extraction uses pumps and powerful wet vacuums to pull water out of rooms, carpet and pad so drying equipment can finish the job. The EPA says water-damaged areas and items should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth, and extraction is what makes that possible. Call (770) 555-0186 to speak with a local water damage restoration contractor in the Kennesaw area.
Is water removal what you need?
Water removal is the first step for almost any water loss where water is still visible. It fits if you have:
- standing water on a floor, in a basement or under the house
- carpet that squishes underfoot or a pad that's soaked through
- water spreading from a failed water heater, washing machine hose or toilet supply line
- water left behind after a burst pipe has been shut off
If the water came from a sewer line or from outside during a storm, it's contaminated and the job is handled differently. See sewage backup cleanup or flood damage cleanup. For the bigger picture, start with our overview of water damage restoration in Kennesaw.
How urgent is it?
Treat standing water as same-day work.
Clean water from a supply line can be reclassified as contaminated the longer it sits and soaks through building materials, and mold becomes increasingly likely after the EPA's 24 to 48 hour drying window. The faster the water comes out, the more drywall, flooring and cabinetry can usually be saved.
Before anyone starts, make sure the area is safe. The CDC advises never turning power on or off, or using an electric tool or appliance, while standing in water. If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, shut off power from a dry location or call an electrician.
Carpet, pad and hard floors
What can be saved depends on the type of water and how long it sat. Industry guidelines based on the IICRC S500 standard generally call for removing carpet soaked by Category 3 water, such as sewage or floodwater, while carpet wet with clean water can often be extracted and dried in place if work starts quickly. Carpet pad is commonly replaced either way because it holds water like a sponge.
Hardwood and laminate are less forgiving. Hardwood can cup or crown as it absorbs moisture, and laminate's fiberboard core can swell and stay swollen. Tile itself survives water well, but water can sit under it and in the subfloor. A contractor will take moisture readings rather than judge by how the surface looks.
What happens during the visit
Safety check and source confirmation
The crew confirms the water is stopped and the area is safe to work in, and identifies the water category.
Bulk water removal
Submersible pumps handle deep water. Truck-mounted or portable extractors pull water from carpet and hard floors.
Moisture mapping
Moisture meters and often thermal cameras show how far the water traveled under baseboards and into walls.
Remove what can't be dried
Saturated pad, insulation and badly swollen materials are removed and photographed for the insurance file.
Set drying equipment
Air movers and dehumidifiers go in, and the job moves on to structural drying with daily readings.
What affects the cost of water removal
- How much water and how many rooms: square footage and depth drive labor and equipment time.
- Water category: contaminated water adds protective gear, disposal and disinfection.
- Materials: carpet and pad, hardwood, finished basements and cabinetry each change the scope.
- Access: crawl spaces, stairs and tight utility rooms take longer than an open slab floor.
- Time since the leak started: water that sat for days usually means more removal and more drying.
We don't publish prices because they vary by job. The water damage cost guide explains how to compare estimates line by line.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What category of water is this, and how does that change what you'll remove?
- Will you take and record moisture readings each day until materials are dry?
- What will you remove, and will you photograph it before it goes in the dumpster?
- Do you work with my insurance company, and can I see the estimate before work starts?
- Are your technicians trained to the IICRC S500 water damage standard?
Water removal around Kennesaw
Extraction calls come from slab homes, townhomes and houses with basements or crawl spaces all over the area, from Downtown Kennesaw and Legacy Park in ZIP 30144 to Ridenour and the Kennesaw Mountain area in 30152, and out to Acworth and Powder Springs. In a townhome or condo, tell the contractor if water may have reached a neighbor's unit.
What to have ready when you call
- where the water came from and whether the source is shut off
- roughly how deep the water is and how many rooms it reached
- the flooring involved: carpet, hardwood, laminate or tile
- whether the power to the area is off