Emergency Water Extraction in Phoenix
Do this now
- Stop the source (main valve, appliance shutoff, or the water heater's cold-water inlet valve).
- Turn off power to wet areas if you can do it safely.
- Lift furniture legs onto foil or wood blocks so stains don't wick up.
- Take photos, then call.
Signs to look for
- Standing water on tile or in the garage
- Squishy or darkened carpet
- Baseboards swelling or separating
- Water heater pan overflowing or puddles near the tank
- Laminate or wood flooring starting to cup
What the contractor typically does
Every job is different, and the contractor you're connected with will explain their own process and price. Typically it looks like this:
- Remove standing water with pumps and extraction equipment
- Use moisture meters (and sometimes thermal cameras) to find wet areas you can't see
- Decide what can be dried in place and what needs to come out
- Set up air movers and dehumidifiers and return to take readings
- Give you documentation for your insurer
One call connects you with an independent Phoenix-area water damage contractor. Free referral, 24/7.
Water heater & appliance leaks
Garage water heaters are common in the Valley. Tank-style heaters can leak from the tank itself, the drain valve, the temperature-and-pressure relief valve or the supply connections. To stop the water, close the cold-water valve on top of the heater and turn off the power (electric) or set the gas control to "pilot" or "off" following the label on the unit. Then check the shared wall between the garage and the house, where water often wicks under the bottom plate and into the next room. Dishwashers, refrigerator ice-maker lines and washing-machine hoses are other common sources.
Phoenix factors
Dry air helps, but not inside walls. Phoenix humidity is usually low, so exposed surfaces dry quickly. Water that soaks into drywall, under cabinets and beneath flooring is a different story, and hidden moisture still needs to be measured.
Monsoon humidity. In monsoon season the dew points rise and drying slows down. Running the AC alone isn't a drying plan.