Water damage · Emergency service
Flood damage cleanup in Birmingham, AL
Flood cleanup treats outside floodwater as contaminated: it removes water and mud, cuts out wet drywall and insulation above the waterline, sanitizes, and dries the structure. Floodwater carries sewage and chemicals, so porous materials it touched are usually discarded.
Flood damage cleanup in Birmingham: local conditions
Partner coverage for water damage in Birmingham currently includes 51 ZIP codes: 35201, 35202, 35203, 35204, 35205, 35206, 35207, 35208, 35209, 35210, 35211, 35212, 35213, 35214, 35215, 35216, 35217, 35218, 35220, 35221, 35222, 35223, 35224, 35226, 35228, 35229, 35232, 35233, 35234, 35235, 35238, 35242, 35243, 35244, 35246, 35249, 35254, 35255, 35259, 35261, 35270, 35282, 35283, 35285, 35287, 35290, 35291, 35292, 35294, 35295, 35298. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Village Creek and other urban creeks rise quickly in heavy rain and have repeatedly flooded nearby neighborhoods.
Older homes on crawlspaces are prone to moisture and mold, and hillside lots send stormwater toward foundations during heavy rain.
What you can expect
- One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code.
- Fast call-back during business hours
- Serving Birmingham, AL
- Photo and moisture documentation for insurance
Flood damage cleanup at a glance
- Category
- Water damage
- Emergency service
- Yes, call for fastest response
- Typical first step
- Make safe
- Area
- Birmingham, AL
Other risks in Birmingham
Tornadoes and severe storms
The Birmingham area sits in one of the most tornado-prone regions in the country, and the April 2011 outbreak caused severe damage across central Alabama.
Humidity and crawlspace mold
Humid summers keep crawlspaces damp, causing mold, sagging floors and wood rot.
Older craftsman and bungalow homes
Avondale, Crestwood and Highland Park are full of 1910s–1940s homes with original plaster, hardwood floors and aging supply lines that fail without warning.
Clay soils and foundations
Clay soils around Birmingham shrink in drought and swell in wet seasons, moving foundations and cracking supply and drain lines.
Signs you need flood damage cleanup
- Water entered from outside, at doors or through the slab
- A visible waterline on walls
- Mud or debris left on floors
How the work is done
Make safe, then Remove water and debris, then Flood cuts and sanitizing, then Dry and verify. See the full flood damage cleanup process.
What affects the cost
Prices depend on the job, so restoration companies in Birmingham quote after an assessment. The main drivers are how much area is affected, how long it stayed wet, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. See the full list of flood damage cleanup cost factors.
Flood damage cleanup questions
Do I need a permit for repairs in Birmingham?
Cleanup doesn't. Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the City of Birmingham's Planning, Engineering and Permits department.
Should I encapsulate my Birmingham crawlspace?
If it stays damp, encapsulation with a sealed vapor barrier and dehumidifier is a common fix, but drainage and plumbing problems should be fixed first.
Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
Usually not. Rising water from outside is typically covered only by a flood policy (NFIP or private). Water from a burst pipe is a different claim under your homeowners policy.
Can drywall that got flood water be dried?
Generally no. Floodwater is contaminated, so the IICRC S500 standard calls for removing porous materials it soaked, including drywall and insulation, above the waterline.
Related pages
Other services in Birmingham
Flood damage cleanup in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in Birmingham, or see flood damage cleanup nationwide.
Related services
Emergency water extraction
Water extraction is the first step of any water loss: removing standing and absorbed water with powerful pumps and extractors before drying starts.
Learn more
Sewage backup cleanup
Sewage cleanup treats the water as Category 3 (grossly contaminated): crews in protective gear remove it, discard porous materials it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the structure.
Learn more
Mold remediation
Mold remediation removes mold growth under containment so spores don't spread, cleans or discards affected materials, and corrects the moisture problem that let it grow.
Learn moreWater, mold or fire damage? Get the right crew on it.
One call connects you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP code. Fast call-back during business hours.