Water damage questions in Columbus, Ohio
Straight answers on getting a crew out, what the drying work involves, what changes the price, and the Columbus issues that come up most: sewer backup, winter freezes and river flooding. Phones are answered 24/7, and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Basement flooding, sewer backup and frozen pipes
- Price explained before work starts
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
Getting a crew out
How fast can a crew reach me?
Phones are answered 24/7 and a crew is dispatched as fast as one is available. We cannot give an arrival time, because the crew needs your address and must know what else is open. Call (833) 490-5225 as soon as you see water.
What should I do before the crew arrives?
Shut the water off at the main if you can reach it safely. Stay out of standing water near outlets, the furnace or the electrical panel. Take photos before anything is moved, and keep children and pets out of water that may be sewage.
Is a sewer backup handled differently?
Yes. Sewage and sewer backup are Category 3 water, the most involved class of work. Report a backup to the city within 24 hours at the Sewer Maintenance Operations Center, 614-645-7102, or call 311, so the city can determine whether rainwater caused it. See the sewer backup guide.
Will you fix the broken pipe?
No. Repairing a pipe, or replacing a water heater or sewer lateral, needs a licensed plumber. The crew can stop the water, tarp or board an opening, then clean and dry the space. In Columbus, a plumber must also be registered with the city.
What the work involves
What happens on the first visit?
The crew checks for hidden moisture with moisture meters and thermal imaging, since water often travels behind drywall and under flooring. The emergency stage, covering extraction and drying setup, is explained and approved before work starts.
How long does drying take?
The crew sets air movers and dehumidifiers and re-checks readings until materials are dry. EPA guidance is to dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold. The number of drying days depends on the structure.
Do you handle mold?
Ohio does not license mold remediation the way some states do, so ask any company which industry standard it works to. The crew follows ANSI/IICRC S520 and EPA mold guidance. Mold can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms in some people. EPA says a small area under about 10 square feet can usually be cleaned by a homeowner, while larger areas and sewage-related mold call for professional help.
Can you help with my insurance claim?
The crew can give you moisture readings and photos to share with your insurer. Coverage is decided by your insurer under your own policy, so check your policy or ask your agent. Flood and sewer backup usually need separate coverage, and the Ohio Department of Insurance takes complaints at 800-686-1526.
What moves the price
Why is there no price on the phone?
Nobody can price the job honestly before seeing the wet area. The price is confirmed on site before any work begins, and repairs after drying are quoted separately.
What changes the quote?
The area wet and the number of rooms or floors it reached. The water category, and the materials: finished basement drywall, carpet, hardwood, plaster and cabinetry. Also how long water sat, the drying days, any flood cuts or removal, existing mold, access, whether a plumber must go first, and after-hours callouts.
Does the type of water matter?
Yes. Category 1 is clean, such as a broken supply line. Category 2 is gray, such as washing machine or dishwasher discharge. Category 3 is black, including sewage and rising floodwater from the Scioto or a creek. Water gets worse as it sits, so an early call helps.
Can I cancel after the crew starts?
Ohio law gives homeowners a three-business-day right to cancel many contracts signed at home. Ask the company for the written agreement and the cancellation notice. If you are unsure whether it applies to an emergency job, check with the Ohio Attorney General's office.
Columbus specifics
Why do Columbus basements flood so often?
Full basements are standard here, and the water heater, furnace, panel, washer and floor drain are all down there. Pewamo soils in low spots have a seasonal high water table from December to May, which is the usual season for foundation seepage. See the basement flooding guide.
What about the 1913 flood and the August 2026 rain?
On 25 March 1913 the Scioto broke the levee on the west side, and Franklinton was hit hardest. On 19 and 20 August 2026 the National Weather Service measured 4 to 7 inches of rain in the heaviest parts of Franklin and Licking counties. If you live near a creek, check your address on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center. See Franklinton.
Does Project Dry Basement cover my house?
Project Dry Basement is a City of Columbus program that pays for an approved backflow device on a basement drain for eligible homes, installed by the city's certified contractor. The device only stops sanitary sewer backups through a basement drain, not seepage through walls or windows. Check eligibility with the City of Columbus.
When do pipes freeze here?
The normal first 32°F in Columbus is 27 October, and the normal last is 18 April, according to the National Weather Service. Burst and frozen pipes are most common from December to February. A frozen pipe often leaks only when it thaws, and exterior walls, unheated garages and crawl spaces are the usual places. See frozen pipe water damage.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.