Water damage questions for Lakeland and Polk County homes
Common questions about water damage in Lakeland and Polk County: how to reach a crew, what the work involves, what affects the price, and how local storms, lakes and septic systems change the job. Shut off the water first, then call.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Storm flooding, roof leaks and mould
- Price explained before work starts
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
Getting a crew out
How do I reach a crew?
Call (833) 490-5225. Phones are answered 24/7, and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available. Shut the water off at the main valve first if you can reach it safely.
Can I get someone out today?
The call-taker cannot promise an arrival time, because it depends on which crews are free. A crew is dispatched as fast as one is available, so call as soon as you see water.
Is it safe to stay in the house with standing water?
Stay out of standing water near outlets and appliances. Turn power off to the affected area only if the electrical panel is dry and safe to reach; otherwise leave it to an electrician.
What should I do before the crew arrives?
Take photos before anything is moved, and move valuables out of the wet area if it is safe. Call your insurer early, and see our claims guide.
Will you handle my insurance claim?
The crew can document the damage and give you moisture readings and photos for your claim. Coverage is decided by your insurer under your own policy, so check your policy or ask your agent.
What the work involves
What does the crew do on the first visit?
The crew uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden water, removes standing water, and starts the drying equipment. The price for this emergency stage is explained and approved before work starts.
How do you know when things are dry?
Air movers and dehumidifiers keep running while the crew re-checks readings until materials are dry. Fast drying matters, because the EPA advises drying a wet area within 24 to 48 hours if possible.
Do you fix the leak or rebuild the walls?
No. The crew can stop the water, tarp or board an opening, and clean up. Plumbing repair and roof replacement go to other trades, and rebuilding generally needs a Florida-licensed contractor, which you can check on the DBPR license search. See water damage restoration.
Is drying the same for a slab home and a manufactured home?
No. A slab home has no basement, so water spreads across one level and can reach under the slab. A manufactured home can hold water in belly-board insulation and underfloor ducts, which the crew has to reach and dry.
What moves the price
What affects the cost of a water job?
Square footage wet, the water category (clean, grey or Category 3), how long the water sat, how many drying days the materials need, and whether cabinets or flooring must come out. Access and after-hours call-out also count.
Why is there no price on this website?
Every house is different, so the figure is set on site. The crew confirms the price in writing before work starts. See pricing for how the estimate works.
Does insurance change the price?
The price comes from the job itself, while your insurer decides what it covers under your policy. Ask your insurer which parts of the loss are covered before you agree to repairs.
Are repairs included in the emergency price?
No. Drying and cleanup are priced as the emergency stage, and repairs after drying are quoted separately.
Lakeland and Polk County specifics
When is the rainy season here?
The rainy season runs roughly 25 May to 10 October, and 55 to 70 percent of the year's rain typically falls June through September. Atlantic hurricane season runs 1 June to 30 November, with a peak around 10 September.
How bad was Hurricane Ian in Polk County?
Preliminary figures showed Lake Wales with about 16.99 inches of rain and Auburndale with about 2.4, so rainfall varied across the county by about a factor of seven. The fastest wind measured in Polk, 78 mph, was in Lakeland.
Does a repair here need a permit?
Inside the Lakeland city limits, the City of Lakeland Building Inspection Division issues permits. Most of this area is unincorporated, and those permits come from Polk County, so check with the county building division.
Does Florida license mold work?
Yes. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses mold assessors and remediators, and its rules apply to mold areas above about 10 square feet. An assessor may not remediate a building it assessed in the previous 12 months, so ask any company for its DBPR license number. See mold licensing.
What about septic systems?
Lakeland's city water compliance manager counts about 9,183 households on septic. Pumping and drain-field repair are not offered here, and the Florida Department of Health in Polk County handles septic inspection and permits.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.