Water damage · Emergency service
Flood damage cleanup in San Francisco, CA
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 San Francisco: local conditions
Partner coverage for water damage in San Francisco currently includes 50 ZIP codes: 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108, 94109, 94110, 94111, 94112, 94114, 94115, 94116, 94117, 94118, 94119, 94120, 94121, 94122, 94123, 94124, 94125, 94127, 94128, 94129, 94130, 94131, 94132, 94133, 94134, 94137, 94139, 94140, 94141, 94142, 94143, 94144, 94145, 94146, 94147, 94151, 94158, 94159, 94160, 94161, 94163, 94164, 94172, 94177, 94188. If your ZIP is on this list, a call connects you with a company that serves it.
Atmospheric river storms, like the 2022–23 series, cause roof leaks and flood low-lying streets.
Victorians and Edwardians have plaster walls, original wood and older plumbing, while Sunset and Richmond row houses share walls and often have ground-floor garages converted to living space. Many homes have been divided into flats or have added in-law units, so leaks often affect more than one household.
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 San Francisco, CA
- 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
- San Francisco, CA
Other risks in San Francisco
Fog and moisture
Persistent fog in the Sunset and Richmond keeps homes damp, encouraging mold.
Earthquakes
Earthquakes can break pipes and water heaters; the 1989 Loma Prieta quake damaged buildings across the city.
Street-level units
Garages and in-law units below street level take on water during heavy rain.
Older plumbing
Victorian and Edwardian homes often have aging galvanized supply lines and cast-iron drains.
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 San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Structural, plumbing and electrical repairs need permits from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection.
How do I verify a California contractor?
Search the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) license lookup.
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 San Francisco
Flood damage cleanup in nearby cities
More about water and storm damage in San Francisco, 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.