Flood and Storm Water Cleanup in Memphis, TN

Flood and Storm Water Cleanup in Memphis? Flood and storm water cleanup across Memphis and Shelby, Tipton and Fayette counties after heavy rain, creek overflow and wind. One call, any hour, connects you with a local restoration crew.

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Flood and Storm Water Cleanup

Flood and storm water cleanup in Memphis is the removal of rain and outside water that got into a home, along with the mud, debris and soaked materials it leaves behind, followed by full drying and repairs. Memphis averages about 54.9 inches of precipitation a year, thunderstorms can drop several inches in a few hours, and the Wolf River, Nonconnah Creek, Loosahatchie River and Big Creek all spilled their banks during the May 2011 river flood.

Storm and flood water is different from a clean pipe leak. Water that runs across lawns, streets and creek banks before it enters a house picks up soil, fertilizer, oil and sewage, so it is treated as category 3, or contaminated, water. That changes the cleanup: carpet, pad, insulation and drywall that touched it are generally removed rather than dried in place, and hard surfaces are cleaned and treated before drying starts. Crews wear protective gear, and they keep the wet area separated from the rest of the home so contamination does not spread to clean rooms.

Memphis gets rain in every season, and the biggest water problems tend to come in bursts. Heavy thunderstorms overwhelm gutters, downspouts and storm drains and push water under garage doors and through low entry points. Spring and late fall storms can bring tornadoes and straight-line winds that lift shingles, break windows or drop trees on a roof, and the rain that follows causes the water damage inside. On the largest scale, the Mississippi River crested at nearly 48 feet at Memphis on May 10, 2011, its highest mark since 1937, and evacuation orders reached over 1,300 homes in the city as the tributaries backed up.

Because basements are rare in the Mid-South, flood water here usually ends up in crawl spaces, on slab floors and in ground-floor rooms and garages. A crawl space can hold standing water long after the yard drains, soaking insulation and raising humidity under the whole house. On a slab, water wicks into the bottom plates of walls and the lower edge of drywall. Either way, the job is to get the water out, remove what cannot be saved, and dry the structure before mold takes hold.

Signs You Need Flood and Storm Water Cleanup

Water came in under a door

Rain that flowed in under an exterior or garage door has likely soaked carpet edges, baseboards and the bottom of the drywall.

Mud or a silt line on walls

A line of dirt or silt on walls or furniture shows how high outside water rose and which materials it touched.

Standing water in the crawl space

Water pooled under the house after a storm can stay there for days and keep the whole floor system damp.

Ceiling stains after high winds

New stains or drips after a wind storm often mean shingles or flashing were damaged and rain is getting into the attic.

A creek or ditch came up near the house

If a nearby creek, ditch or drainage channel rose into the yard and reached the foundation, check the lower walls and crawl space for water.

A sour, earthy odor after rain

A swampy or sewage-like smell after a storm usually means contaminated water is trapped in flooring, walls or the crawl space.

What to Do Right Now

Call (615) 555-0158

Stay safe first
Do not walk or drive through flood water, and stay out of any room where water may be touching outlets, cords or appliances.
Shut off power if safe
If you can reach the breaker panel without standing in water, turn off power to flooded areas; if not, leave it for the power company or an electrician.
Keep children and pets away
Storm water carries sewage and chemicals, so keep kids and pets out of wet rooms and wash hands after touching anything it reached.
Stay clear of roof openings
If wind damaged the roof or broke a window, keep people out of rooms below the opening; a crew can tarp the roof once it is safe.
Document the damage
Take photos and video of the water line, damaged belongings and outside damage before cleanup changes anything.
Call for flood cleanup
Call the number on this page, and we connect you with a local restoration crew equipped for contaminated storm water.

How a Memphis Crew Handles It: 5 Steps

1
Safety and assessment
The crew checks for electrical hazards and structural damage, identifies the water as contaminated storm water, and maps every wet area, including walls and the crawl space.
2
Pump out and muck out
Pumps and extractors remove standing water, then technicians shovel out mud and silt and bag debris so cleaning can begin on hard surfaces and framing.
3
Remove contaminated materials
Carpet, pad, insulation and drywall that touched flood water are removed, usually with a flood cut a foot or more above the highest water line.
4
Clean and treat
Floors, framing and wall cavities are cleaned and treated with an antimicrobial so the structure is sanitary before drying equipment and dehumidifiers are set up.
5
Dry and rebuild
Equipment runs until moisture readings are normal, then insulation, drywall, trim and flooring go back in, and any roof or window damage is repaired.

Flood and Storm Water Cleanup Around Memphis

Storm water cleanup is needed all across the metro. In the May 2011 Mississippi River flood, the Wolf River, Nonconnah Creek, Loosahatchie River and Big Creek spilled their banks, and flooding reached Millington, Frayser, Bartlett and East Memphis. Most storm calls are smaller than that: a downpour that pushes water under a garage door in a Cordova or Arlington subdivision, a crawl space that fills after days of rain under an older Memphis home, or a roof opened by wind over a Collierville or Germantown two-story. In Tipton County, Covington, Atoka and Munford see the same spring and late fall storm systems that cross Shelby County, and Fayette County towns such as Oakland and Somerville do too.

When you call, tell us whether water is still coming in, whether it came from outside or through the roof, and which rooms and levels are wet. We connect you with a local restoration provider that serves your ZIP, whether that is 38118 in Memphis, 38053 in Millington or 38060 in Oakland. The crew brings pumps, extractors and protective gear for contaminated water, and can tarp a damaged roof before drying starts.

What It Costs

Flood and storm water cleanup costs more than a clean leak because contaminated water calls for removal and sanitizing. Category 3 cleanup generally runs $7 to $14 per sq ft, with a typical job between $2,500 and $12,000; flooring tear-out adds $1 to $3 per sq ft and drywall replacement $2 to $6 per sq ft. An emergency roof tarp after wind damage runs $250 to $1,000, and interior mitigation after a roof leak runs $1,000 to $5,000. General market ranges, not quotes.

How Long It Takes

A local crew can usually come out the same day, though after a big regional storm scheduling may take longer. Cleaning and drying usually take four to seven days, and rebuilding drywall, flooring and trim can run two to four weeks.

Flood and Storm Water Cleanup in Memphis: FAQs

Is storm water in my house dangerous?

Outside flood water is treated as contaminated because it can carry sewage, soil and chemicals. Keep children and pets out, wear gloves and boots if you must go in, and let a crew handle removal and sanitizing.

Can flooded carpet be saved?

Carpet and pad soaked by outside flood water are generally removed and replaced, because they cannot be reliably cleaned of contamination. Hard surfaces and many pieces of solid wood furniture can often be cleaned and dried.

Does Memphis flood from the Mississippi River?

The river can flood, as it did when it crested at nearly 48 feet on May 10, 2011. Everyday storm water problems, though, come from heavy rain, overwhelmed drainage and wind-damaged roofs, and tributaries such as the Wolf River and Nonconnah Creek can rise in big storms.

What areas do you serve for flood cleanup?

Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Arlington, Lakeland and Millington in Shelby County, plus covered towns in Tipton and Fayette counties such as Covington, Atoka, Munford, Oakland and Somerville. Mississippi and Arkansas addresses are not covered.

What happens if wind damaged my roof too?

The crew can tarp the roof to stop more rain getting in, then dry the attic, ceilings and rooms below. Roof repair is handled once the inside is stable.

Which areas around Memphis do you cover for flood and Storm Water Cleanup?

Calls are answered 24/7 for Memphis, Cordova, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown and the rest of the Memphis area. Call (615) 555-0158 and you are connected with a local crew.