Water damage restoration is the process of removing water, drying the structure to a verified moisture level, and repairing damaged materials. Most residential jobs take 3–5 days of drying. Starting within 24–48 hours limits mold growth and lets more materials be dried in place instead of replaced.
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Water damage gets more expensive every hour it sits. Drywall wicks water upward, hardwood floors start to cup, and mold can begin growing on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. The goal of professional restoration is simple: remove the water, dry the structure to a verified moisture level, and repair what can't be saved.
What a restoration job typically includes
- Inspection and moisture mapping. Technicians use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find where water traveled, including inside walls and under flooring.
- Water extraction. Truck-mounted or portable extractors remove standing water from carpet, pad, and hard floors.
- Removal of unsalvageable materials. Saturated carpet pad, swollen baseboards, and wet drywall below the water line (a "flood cut") are often removed to let wall cavities dry.
- Structural drying. Commercial dehumidifiers and air movers run for roughly three to five days, with daily moisture readings logged as documentation for your insurer.
- Cleaning and antimicrobial treatment. Affected surfaces are cleaned and treated to discourage mold growth.
- Repairs and rebuild. Drywall, paint, trim, and flooring are replaced once everything is dry.
Know your water category
The industry standard (IICRC S500) groups water into three categories, and the category changes how a job is handled:
- Category 1 — clean water: supply lines, faucets, ice-maker lines. Most materials can often be dried in place if addressed quickly.
- Category 2 — gray water: washing machine or dishwasher discharge, toilet overflow without feces. Porous materials like carpet pad are usually removed.
- Category 3 — black water: sewage, rising floodwater from creeks or streets. Contaminated porous materials are removed and the area is disinfected. Keep children and pets away.
Clean water left sitting for a couple of days can degrade into a higher category, which is one more reason to start drying right away.
What you can do right now
- Stop the source if it's safe: close the main water shut-off valve (often near the water heater, in the basement, or at the street meter).
- Turn off power to affected rooms at the breaker if water is near outlets or cords. Don't walk through standing water with live electricity nearby.
- Take photos and video of everything before anything is moved or thrown out.
- Move furniture off wet carpet and put foil or plastic under legs to prevent staining.
- Call your insurance company to open a claim, then request a restoration company.
Frequently asked questions
How much does water damage restoration cost in Atlanta?
Costs depend on the square footage affected, the water category, and how much material must be removed. Small clean-water jobs can run a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while large or contaminated losses can exceed $10,000. Ask for a written estimate and whether the company bills your insurer directly.
Can wet drywall be saved?
Drywall soaked by clean water and dried quickly with professional equipment can often be saved. Drywall exposed to sewage or floodwater, or that has swollen, crumbled, or grown mold, is usually cut out and replaced.
How do professionals know when everything is dry?
They take moisture readings with meters and compare them to unaffected materials in the same home (the dry standard). Drying equipment stays until readings match, and those logs support your insurance claim.