Spokane’s water damage calls come in waves. The first cold snap of winter splits pipes in exterior walls, unheated garages and crawl spaces. Ice dams push meltwater through ceilings in January and February. Then March and April bring snowmelt and rain that find every low spot along a basement wall. In between are the everyday ones: washing machine hoses, water heaters, toilet supply lines and dishwashers.
How flood cleanup usually goes
- Extraction: The crew pumps out standing water and uses extraction units on carpet and floors. A truck-mounted unit pulls far more water than a shop vac.
- Tear-out: Carpet pad, the bottom of soaked drywall, wet insulation and swollen baseboards usually come out so the framing can dry.
- Drying: Air movers and dehumidifiers run for several days. The company takes moisture readings each visit.
- Cleaning: Surfaces get cleaned, and treated where needed. If the water was from outside or a sewer line, the cleaning is more thorough.
- Repair: Drywall, flooring and trim go back in once readings confirm everything is dry. Some companies do the rebuild, and some hand it to a contractor.
Water type matters
Water from a clean supply line, like a burst pipe, is the simplest to clean up. Water that has run across floors, come in from outside or sat for a while is dirtier. Sewer backups are the worst and need protective gear and more removal. Tell the company which one you’re dealing with when they call.
Why speed matters here
Materials that stay wet for more than a day or two can start growing mold, and in a finished basement that can be a much bigger job than the original leak. If you found the water late, the water damage and mold page covers what happens when mold has already started.
Questions to ask the company
- How soon can you get here, and do you respond after hours?
- Will you work with my insurance company and give me a written scope with photos?
- How will you decide when it’s dry?
- Do you do the repairs, or will I need a separate contractor?