Best Water Damage Restoration Services of 2021

Water damage can take a big toll on your home, office, or commercial property. In fact, damage related to one inch of floodwater can cost up to $25,000 to restore, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Whether you live in a flood zone, near a river, or a coastal line, you want to make sure you have a plan in case a problem occurs. Water damage needs to be addressed as soon as possible, as the accumulation of water can rapidly ruin walls—including both the paint and sheetrock as well as floors and create mold and bacteria buildup. Dry any wet or damp areas within 24 to 48 hours to inhibit mold growth. 

Water damage restoration services offer water removal, full cleanup, dry out, and dehumidification and restoration of the property, including personal belongings. In some instances when the water has damaged the structure of your property, walls may need to be taken down and carpets may need to be removed. In others, some water damage restoration services companies may even offer full repair and reconstruction services. To make things easier, here are the best water damage restoration services.

We took a look at more than 20 different water damage restoration companies and selected the ones that offer coverage in major cities across the U.S., a 24/7 emergency response team, and residential and commercial services.

We chose ServiceMaster Restore as the top nationwide pick because of its more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states, while we selected Service Team of Professional (STOP Restoration) for its quick replies, which includes an arrival time of 90 minutes or less. We picked Delta Restoration Services for its customer service because it offers live chat support and provides assistance within minutes. Finally, we chose PuroClean as our best overall choice for its extensive offering of services and its 24/7 emergency assistance hotline.

Water restoration companies offer a variety of services depending on the origin of the damage. Most of the services offer containment of the damage, water removal, cleanup, drying, dehumidification, restoration of the property and personal belongings, and reconstruction.

If you experience a flood, a severe roof leak, or an overflow of your toilet or tub and the water has seeped into your walls or carpets and is dripping from your ceilings, that’s a sign you will need the assistance of water restoration services. One of the most important things when it comes to water damage is that you need to act fast to minimize the damage and the growth of bacteria or mold.

Water restoration services vary depending on the severity of the damage and the cause. The average cost to repair a water-damaged property is about $1,500 to $2,000, according to quotes that we received for services that include water removal, drying, and dehumidification. However, the cost can go up to roughly $25,000 or more, depending on the size of the property, geographic location, and the extent of the damage.

Most homeowner insurance policies will provide coverage for water damage (other than related to flooding) as long as it isn’t due to the negligence of the residents. Since flood-related water damage is not covered in most homeowner insurance policies, you will need to buy a separate policy if you live in a flood zone. Flood insurance is available through The National Flood Insurance Program.