The creek came over its banks overnight and pushed a foot of brown water through the ground floor. Now it is gone, but it left silt on the floors, a waterline on the walls, and a smell that tells you this is not clean water. Floodwater cleanup is a contamination job first and a drying job second.
Free referral to independent, licensed and insured local pros. Zip codes served include 95118 95128 95124 95125 95126 95127 95120 95122 95123 95008 95002 95117 95116 95111 95110 95113 95112 95119 95148 95133 95132 95131 95130 95136 95134 95139 95138 95037 95013 95129 95121 95101 95103 95106 95109 95115 95141 95150 95151 95153 95154 95155 95156 95157 95158 95159 95160 95161 95164 95172 95173 95190 95191 95192 95193 95194 95196.

After a flood, many people are calling at once. A Water Damage is a free referral service that connects you with independent, licensed and insured flood cleanup contractors near San Jose who have the protective gear and sanitizing equipment for contaminated water.
Expect full PPE and hospital-grade disinfectants, because floodwater carries sewage, fuel, and bacteria.
Standard homeowners policies usually exclude outside flooding, so the claim often goes through a separate flood policy. Contractors measure and photograph the flood line and itemize removed materials to support it.
After big floods, storm chasers appear. Ask any contractor for license and insurance proof before work starts.
You get a written estimate for muck-out, removal, sanitizing, and drying before work begins.

Flood cleanup is heavier work than a pipe leak. Mud has to be shoveled, porous materials below the waterline usually come out, and every surface gets cleaned and disinfected before drying even starts.

Silt, mud, and debris are scraped out and hauled away, then hard surfaces are washed down.
Drywall, insulation, and baseboards are typically removed at least a foot or two above the visible flood line, since water wicks higher than it looks.
Every exposed surface is cleaned and treated with an antimicrobial before drying starts.
Once the building is cleaned out, air movers and dehumidifiers run until framing and slab readings show the structure is dry enough to rebuild.
Porous items like mattresses, upholstered furniture, and stuffed toys that sat in floodwater usually cannot be saved. Hard items can often be cleaned. Contractors help sort and document both for your claim.
Call +1-877-637-9008 and say how high the water got, whether it has receded, and if the power is off. That helps route you to a pro equipped for floodwater.
A local contractor calls with an arrival estimate. After regional flooding, demand is high, and they will be honest about timing.
Expect a safety check, flood line measurements, and a written estimate before work begins.
Mud and damaged materials come out, surfaces are disinfected, and drying runs until the structure is ready for repairs.
Contaminated materials need to come out fast.
We had about fourteen inches through the whole first floor. The crew shoveled out the mud, cut the drywall at three feet, and sprayed everything before setting up fans.
Paul and Dee A.River flooding, first floorEvery room had flood line photos and measurements. The adjuster said it made his job easy.
Imani C.Flash flood, flood insurance claimI wanted to keep the couch. The contractor explained why floodwater makes that a bad idea and helped me list everything for the claim.
Rob G.Flood-damaged contentsLots of out-of-town trucks showed up after the storm. This contractor was local, showed me his license, and gave me a written price first.
Teresa M.Post-storm flood cleanup

It can be. Outside floodwater is Category 3 and may carry sewage, chemicals, and bacteria. If you clean any of it, wear boots, gloves, eye protection, and a respirator, and keep children away.
Usually not under a standard policy. Flood coverage typically requires a separate flood insurance policy, so talk to your agent.
Typically one to two feet above the water mark to catch wicking. Deeper floods may require full-height removal.
Solid wood and metal furniture can often be cleaned and disinfected. Upholstered pieces, mattresses, and particleboard that sat in floodwater usually cannot.
Right after the water goes down and the building is safe. Waiting lets mold and bacteria spread.
No. A Water Damage is a free referral line connecting you with independent, licensed and insured local contractors who perform the work and bill you directly.

Calls from San Jose and zip codes such as 95118 95128 95124 95125 95126 95127 95120 95122 95123 95008 95002 95117 95116 95111 95110 95113 95112 95119 95148 95133 95132 95131 95130 95136 95134 95139 95138 95037 95013 95129 95121 95101 95103 95106 95109 95115 95141 95150 95151 95153 95154 95155 95156 95157 95158 95159 95160 95161 95164 95172 95173 95190 95191 95192 95193 95194 95196 are routed to flood cleanup pros working locally.
See nearby cities below. After major floods, you will get an honest estimate of how soon help can arrive.
