How fast can you respond to a water emergency?

We run a 24/7 on-call crew, and our average response time for emergencies across metro Atlanta is usually within two hours. With water, that speed matters more than almost anything else. Clean water starts turning dirty within a day or two, and every hour it sits it wicks further into drywall, subfloor and framing. The line between drying something out and tearing it out gets crossed fast, so the sooner we're on site, the more we can usually save.

What should I do right after water damage, before you arrive?

A few things make a real difference. If you can do it safely, shut the water off at the source. Take photos and video of everything before you touch it, including the burst pipe or failed part, then bag that part and set it aside. Don't throw it out, because your insurer may want to see it as proof the failure was sudden. Whatever you do, your safety is the most important thing, so if the situation might be dangerous (for example a sagging, saturated ceiling or electricity possibly coming into contact with water) it might be best to do nothing and wait until help arrives.

Can I just clean up the water myself?

You can handle a small spill, and acting fast on your own genuinely helps. The trouble is the water you can see is usually the least of it. Household fans and a shop vac don't reach the moisture inside walls, under floors and in the subfloor, and that hidden water is what turns into mold and warped framing weeks later. We use commercial extraction and drying equipment, verify with moisture meters that everything is actually dry, then document it all for your insurance. If you're not sure how far the water went, it's worth a call before you decide.

Does insurance cover water damage?

Most policies cover sudden, accidental water damage, like a burst pipe or an appliance line that lets go. What they usually won't cover is slow damage from a leak you knew about and left, or flooding from outside. The former is basically never covered and the latter needs separate flood coverage. Sewer and drain backups are also their own category and are only covered if you carry that specific endorsement.

What's the difference between clean, gray and black water?

It comes down to how contaminated the water is, and it drives almost everything that happens next. Clean water (Cat 1) from a supply line is the simplest to handle. Gray water (Cat 2) from a dishwasher, washing machine or toilet overflow (without sewage) carries contaminants and needs antimicrobial treatment. Black water (Cat 3) from a sewer line or storm is the most hazardous, and porous materials it touched usually have to come out. And clean water doesn't stay clean. Left sitting, it climbs categories within a day or two , which is one more reason fast response keeps your costs down.

Can you save my hardwood floors?

Often we can, but it comes down to how fast we get drying equipment on them and the exact type of hardwood floor. We use specialized systems that pull moisture up through the boards instead of tearing them out, and cupped or buckled wood can flatten back out if we catch it early. Engineered hardwood is the exception here. The way it's built means it generally can't be dried and has to be replaced.

How long does it take to dry out water damage?

Most jobs dry in about three to five days, though it can be as little as one or as long as a week or more depending on how much water there was, what got wet, and the materials involved. Hardwood and plaster take longer than drywall. We take moisture readings every day and won't call it done until they're back to normal. After our first visit we'll give you a real estimate for your situation.

Do I need to worry about mold after water damage?

If it's dried out properly and quickly, usually not. Mold needs moisture and time, so the whole point of fast extraction and thorough drying is to deny it both. The risk shows up when water sits unnoticed behind a wall or under a floor for a day or two. Mold can take hold in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Will I have to move out while you work?

Usually not. We try hard to keep you in your home and work around you. There are situations where it's safer to stay elsewhere for a while, like a heavily contaminated loss, major demolition, or significant mold, and we'll tell you honestly if that's the case. If you do need to relocate, your policy may include Additional Living Expenses coverage that helps with the cost, and we'll help you sort that out with your adjuster.

Are you licensed, insured, and IICRC certified?

Yes. Flood & Flame and our lead technicians are IICRC certified, the industry standard for water, fire and mold work, and we carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage.

Water Damage Restoration

A broken pipe, a leaking roof, a flooded basement or something nasty like a sewer backup or toilet overflow? We're here to help you get everything clean and dry again.

Emergency response within 2 hours
IICRC S500 certified technicians
We work with your insurance for you

Muddy floodwater covering a basement floor around a washer, dryer and stored belongings

When water gets into your home, it wicks into drywall, subfloor and framing within minutes and travels to places you'd never spot on your own. Getting it out fast and drying it completely is what separates a manageable cleanup from a torn-out room weeks later. Our IICRC S500-certified crew is on call 24/7 across metro Atlanta.

What happens during water mitigation

The work generally moves through four stages.

Inspection and water extraction. We start by mapping where the water actually went, using moisture meters that read behind walls and under floors. If there's standing water, we pull it out fast.
Containment, removal and cleaning. If the water was contaminated, we seal off the work area so nothing spreads through the rest of the house. Materials that can't be dried in place, like soaked drywall, baseboards or flooring, come out. Then we HEPA-vacuum and treat the affected surfaces with antimicrobial to knock back mold and bacteria. We stay conservative here and remove only what genuinely needs to go.
Drying and monitoring. We set air movers, dehumidifiers and air scrubbers, plus special equipment that dries hardwood floors in place instead of tearing them out. Then we take moisture readings every day until everything is back to a documented dry standard. Most jobs dry in three to five days, though it can run shorter or longer.
Rebuild. Once the structure is dry, we put it back together, from drywall and paint to flooring and cabinets. We can handle the rebuild ourselves or hand off to a contractor you trust.

Throughout, we document everything with photos, readings and notes, so you and your insurance adjuster are never in the dark about what we're doing or why.

Our Work

Recent jobs, start to finish

Air movers drying a dental x-ray room with the panoramic x-ray unit

Chamblee, GA

Drying a Chamblee dental office without closing its doors

A failed supply line flooded much of this Chamblee dental office, from the treatment rooms to the front desk. Here's how we dried it on a schedule built around the practice's hours, so they kept seeing patients while the work got done.

The exterior of a brick senior-living high-rise with a landscaped courtyard and a wooden gazebo

Sandy Springs, GA

Earning a senior-living facility's repeat business

A senior-living high-rise in Sandy Springs has called us for multiple water emergencies since last fall. Here's how we have earned their repeat business and what it looks like to be the company a property manager can count on.

Water-damaged kitchen in the East Cobb home after the flood

East Cobb, GA

A three-level water loss in East Cobb

A failed upstairs supply line flooded all three floors of this East Cobb home while the owners were away on vacation. By the time they got home, a clean-water leak had turned into a Category 3 loss with mold in the walls.

See all our work →

When should you call us?

Burst or leaking pipes

A supply line, ice maker, or water heater failed and water is spreading. The longer it sits, the more damage spreads with it.

Sewer or toilet overflow

Wastewater entered your living space. This is contaminated water that needs proper handling, not just a mop and bucket.

Roof leak or storm damage

Wind, rain, or hail caused water to come in from above and you can see staining, sagging, or active dripping.

Basement or crawl-space flooding

Standing water is sitting where you don't go often, and you suspect more is hidden in walls or under floors.

Appliance leak

Washing machine, dishwasher, or fridge leaked and you noticed late. Subfloor and surrounding walls may already be wet.

Wet or buckling floors

Hardwood is cupping or laminate is lifting. There's a good chance we can save the floor if we act fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast can you respond to a water emergency?: We run a 24/7 on-call crew, and our average response time for emergencies across metro Atlanta is usually within two hours. With water, that speed matters more than almost anything else. Clean water starts turning dirty within a day or two, and every hour it sits it wicks further into drywall, subfloor and framing. The line between drying something out and tearing it out gets crossed fast, so the sooner we're on site, the more we can usually save.
What should I do right after water damage, before you arrive?: A few things make a real difference. If you can do it safely, shut the water off at the source. Take photos and video of everything before you touch it, including the burst pipe or failed part, then bag that part and set it aside. Don't throw it out, because your insurer may want to see it as proof the failure was sudden. Whatever you do, your safety is the most important thing, so if the situation might be dangerous (for example a sagging, saturated ceiling or electricity possibly coming into contact with water) it might be best to do nothing and wait until help arrives.
Can I just clean up the water myself?: You can handle a small spill, and acting fast on your own genuinely helps. The trouble is the water you can see is usually the least of it. Household fans and a shop vac don't reach the moisture inside walls, under floors and in the subfloor, and that hidden water is what turns into mold and warped framing weeks later. We use commercial extraction and drying equipment, verify with moisture meters that everything is actually dry, then document it all for your insurance. If you're not sure how far the water went, it's worth a call before you decide.
Does insurance cover water damage?: Most policies cover sudden, accidental water damage, like a burst pipe or an appliance line that lets go. What they usually won't cover is slow damage from a leak you knew about and left, or flooding from outside. The former is basically never covered and the latter needs separate flood coverage. Sewer and drain backups are also their own category and are only covered if you carry that specific endorsement.
What's the difference between clean, gray and black water?: It comes down to how contaminated the water is, and it drives almost everything that happens next. Clean water (Cat 1) from a supply line is the simplest to handle. Gray water (Cat 2) from a dishwasher, washing machine or toilet overflow (without sewage) carries contaminants and needs antimicrobial treatment. Black water (Cat 3) from a sewer line or storm is the most hazardous, and porous materials it touched usually have to come out. And clean water doesn't stay clean. Left sitting, it climbs categories within a day or two, which is one more reason fast response keeps your costs down.
Can you save my hardwood floors?: Often we can, but it comes down to how fast we get drying equipment on them and the exact type of hardwood floor. We use specialized systems that pull moisture up through the boards instead of tearing them out, and cupped or buckled wood can flatten back out if we catch it early. Engineered hardwood is the exception here. The way it's built means it generally can't be dried and has to be replaced.
How long does it take to dry out water damage?: Most jobs dry in about three to five days, though it can be as little as one or as long as a week or more depending on how much water there was, what got wet, and the materials involved. Hardwood and plaster take longer than drywall. We take moisture readings every day and won't call it done until they're back to normal. After our first visit we'll give you a real estimate for your situation.
Do I need to worry about mold after water damage?: If it's dried out properly and quickly, usually not. Mold needs moisture and time, so the whole point of fast extraction and thorough drying is to deny it both. The risk shows up when water sits unnoticed behind a wall or under a floor for a day or two. Mold can take hold in as little as 24 to 48 hours.
Will I have to move out while you work?: Usually not. We try hard to keep you in your home and work around you. There are situations where it's safer to stay elsewhere for a while, like a heavily contaminated loss, major demolition, or significant mold, and we'll tell you honestly if that's the case. If you do need to relocate, your policy may include Additional Living Expenses coverage that helps with the cost, and we'll help you sort that out with your adjuster.
Are you licensed, insured, and IICRC certified?: Yes. Flood & Flame and our lead technicians are IICRC certified, the industry standard for water, fire and mold work, and we carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage.

Testimonials

What our customers say about us

“Pretty darn amazing in a world that no longer understands the power of customer service. Hands down the best service I have received in a super long time.”

Kristen M.

“Raul was timely, responsive, thorough and [most importantly] knew what he was talking about. I appreciate their extensive knowledge of restoration and how insurance companies work.”

Mel S.

“They were very polite, efficient and honest about my situation. We speak Spanish and it was a plus that one of them spoke it as well.”

Zandra H.

Get help now

With water damage, every hour matters. The sooner we get started, the more of your home we can save, and the smoother things go with your insurance.