Flood Restoration After a Storm
Flood restoration companies deal with outside water: surge shoved inland off Galveston or Trinity Bay, Cedar Bayou or Goose Creek spilling into yards, or a road running like a creek in a tropical cloudburst. Their work runs in a fixed sequence: pump, tear out the ruined material, scrub, dry against readings, and only then rebuild. If outside water reached the house, plan on more coming out than after a plumbing leak, because flood water is handled as contaminated.
Surge, Bayou or Street Water
| Kind | Where it comes from | What it leaves |
|---|---|---|
| Storm surge | Bay water pushed inland by hurricane winds | Salt, silt, debris; often deep and fast |
| Bayou or creek overflow | Cedar Bayou, Goose Creek and their tributaries after heavy rain | Mud and silt; can sit for a day or more |
| Street and yard flooding | Rain falling faster than drains and ditches can take it | Shallower water through doors and garages |
More on the difference: storm surge vs. rain flooding.
Why Flood Water Comes Out Instead of Drying
Water that travels across roads, driveways and lawns collects motor oil, lawn treatments, debris and germs along the way. If it soaked something porous, that item goes to the curb instead of under a fan: rugs and their padding, the lower band of drywall, batt insulation, pressed-board cabinetry. Studs, slab and tile are cleaned, then dried with readings. If the water came from the bay, salt is left behind as well. See saltwater in the house.
The Cleanup Order
- Go back only when told it's safe. City and county officials make that call.
- Breakers stay off for flooded rooms until a safety check clears them.
- Record the scene: wide shots of every room, close-ups of the water mark, pictures of ruined belongings.
- Pump out whatever is still standing in the house or garage.
- Shovel and strip: mud and silt go first, then rugs, pad, batts and the drywall below the mark.
- Scrub and sanitize each surface the flood touched.
- Run the drying plan, fans and dehumidifiers on, until studs and slab test dry.
- Rebuild once the numbers say so.
How Soon Can Flood Cleanup Start After a Hurricane?
Once officials reopen the area and there's power, from the grid or a generator set up outside, for the equipment. A big storm leaves whole blocks needing the same help in the same week. If your house took water, phone as soon as you're allowed home; being early in the queue matters more than anything else. Be wary of anyone who promises an exact arrival time.
Where Flood Insurance Fits
Rising water from outside, surge included, is normally left out of a homeowners policy. You buy flood coverage on its own, from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. Windstorm coverage is separate again. If you aren't sure which policies you have, find out before the next storm. See windstorm, flood or homeowners.
Near the Bayous and the Bay
Homes near Cedar Bayou, Goose Creek and the bay shore have the most history with outside water. Living near Cedar Bayou and Goose Creek covers what that means, and raised homes after a flood covers elevation. Follow river and bayou warnings from the Harris County Flood Warning System, not from a restoration company.
Garages, Driveways and the Lowest Room
On flat Baytown lots, the garage is usually the first room to take water. If water came in under the garage door, check the wall it shares with the house; water often runs under the bottom plate into the next room. Garage water heaters and washers need checking before they're used again, and anything stored on the garage floor should be photographed before it's thrown out.
What Flood Water Leaves on the Floor
When the water goes down, it leaves a layer of fine mud and silt on the slab, thicker in corners and low spots, and a line on the walls showing how high it came. If you go in before the cleanup, wear boots and gloves, and don't sweep the mud into floor drains. The silt is shoveled and hauled first, then every surface is cleaned, then drying starts. Skipping straight to fans just bakes the mud onto the floor.
Flood Cleanup Around Baytown
West
- Old BaytownBaytown
- Goose CreekBaytown
- PellyBaytown
- LakewoodBaytown
- La PorteHarris
- SeabrookHarris
- ChannelviewHarris
East
- Cedar BayouBaytown
- Mont BelvieuChambers
- CoveChambers
- Beach CityChambers
- Old River-WinfreeChambers
- AnahuacChambers
North
For the full list of water this number covers, go to Baytown water damage restoration.