Flood damage cleanup in San Diego. Storm to dry in days.
When an atmospheric river dumps inches per hour and the storm drains can't keep up, we get the call. Flood water is Category 3 (contaminated) by definition — it needs aggressive extraction, antimicrobial treatment, and selective demo. We've worked the Tijuana River Valley, Mission Valley, and every flood-prone neighborhood in the county.
What's included in this service?
- Storm and atmospheric river flood response
- Submersible pumps for sub-grade flooding (basements, garages, crawlspaces)
- Mud and debris removal
- Category 3 water protocol: PPE, antimicrobial, controlled demo
- Wet drywall flood cuts at 12, 24, or 48 inches based on saturation height
- Saturated insulation removal and bagging
- Subfloor and framing drying with structural-grade dehumidifiers
- Sanitization and clearance verification before rebuild
When do you need this service?
- Storm runoff overtopped curbs and entered the garage or living space
- A creek, river, or storm channel breached and flooded the property
- Hillside groundwater migrated through walls or foundation cracks
- A neighbor's overflow drained onto your slab
- There is mud, leaves, or debris mixed with the standing water
What do homeowners ask about Flood Cleanup?
Is flood damage covered by my homeowners policy?
Generally no — standard homeowners excludes flood from outside. You need a separate flood policy through the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood carrier. If a sewer backed up under a covered policy endorsement, that part may be covered. Sudden internal water (burst pipe inside the home) is covered under standard homeowners. We document what caused what.
Why is flood water treated as contaminated?
Flood water carries everything it has touched: yard runoff, street oil, pesticides, sewer overflow, animal waste. The IICRC S500 standard classifies any flood water from outside as Category 3 (black water) regardless of how clean it looks. That's why everything porous below the water line — drywall, insulation, carpet pad — has to come out, not just dry in place.
How high do you cut the drywall?
Standard practice is two feet above the high water mark. So a six-inch flood means a flood cut at the 24-inch line, four-foot flooding means a flood cut at the 48-inch line. Sometimes ceilings and full walls go too if there is wicking. We mark the cuts and photograph everything before we open them up.
How long until I can move back in?
Drying and clearance typically take 5 to 10 days for a residential flood. Rebuild — drywall, insulation, paint, flooring — adds another 2 to 6 weeks depending on scope and material lead times. We can stage the work so you live in the dry portion of the home if conditions allow.
Where do we offer Flood Cleanup in San Diego County?
We provide flood cleanup in every city and community in San Diego County. Pick your city for local climate notes and service specifics.
See flood cleanup in all 48 cities
Homeowners who hired us for this
Called at 11 p.m. when our water heater let go in the garage. Truck was here in under an hour, water out before midnight, fans and dehus running by 1 a.m. Direct billed our insurance. Couldn't have asked for more.
Found mold behind the laundry-room baseboard during a remodel. They contained the area, set up scrubbers, removed the affected drywall, and brought in an independent tester for the clearance. Done right, no shortcuts.
Slab leak under the kitchen. They worked alongside our plumber, dried the cabinets in place with InjectiDry, and saved us from gutting the whole kitchen. Daily moisture readings sent to our adjuster.
Need flood cleanup in San Diego County?
Call for a free quote. Most work scheduled within the week.