Emergency water extraction in Tucson
Standing water does most of its damage in the first 24 to 48 hours. Drywall wicks it up, flooring delaminates, and in a Tucson summer the warm, closed-up house is ideal for mold. Call the number above and we connect you to a water damage company that serves your ZIP.
What extraction involves
A crew arrives with truck-mounted or portable extractors, removes the standing water, and uses moisture meters and thermal cameras to find water that has moved under flooring, behind baseboards and into wall cavities. Carpet pad is usually pulled; carpet itself can sometimes be dried in place if the water was clean.
Once the bulk water is out, they set dehumidifiers and air movers and come back daily to take readings until materials reach dry standard. In Tucson's dry air that is often 3 to 5 days, but slab homes with tile over concrete can hold moisture longer than people expect.
What to do before the crew arrives
- Shut off the water at the main valve. In most Tucson homes it is in a box near the curb or where the line enters the house, often on the front side.
- If water is near outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker, or stay out of the room.
- Move rugs, electronics and furniture off wet floors. Put foil or plastic under furniture legs that can't be moved.
- Take photos and video of everything before anything is removed. Your insurer will ask for them.
- Call your homeowner's insurance to open a claim. Ask whether they need to approve the mitigation company first.
Clean, grey and black water
Restoration companies sort water into three categories. Clean water comes from a supply line or rain. Grey water has some contamination, such as a dishwasher or washing machine overflow. Black water is sewage or floodwater that has run across the ground, which is common in monsoon flash flooding. Category 3 water means porous materials such as carpet, pad and the bottom of drywall are removed, not dried.
Questions people ask
How fast can someone come out?
Most water damage companies in the Tucson metro run 24-hour emergency crews. Arrival time depends on the company, the time of day and how busy they are during monsoon storms. Ask for an arrival window when you call.
Will insurance pay for water extraction?
Sudden and accidental water, such as a burst pipe or failed supply line, is usually covered under a standard homeowner's policy. Gradual leaks and outside floodwater usually are not, unless you carry flood coverage. Check your own policy and talk to your insurer.
Can I do it myself with a shop vac?
For a small, clean spill you caught right away, yes. For anything that soaked into carpet pad, drywall or under cabinets, the water you can't see is the problem, and that needs moisture meters and commercial drying equipment.