Water damage restoration in Florida

Florida's heavy rain, tropical storms and humid air make water damage harder to deal with: water can arrive fast, and wet materials dry slowly when the air is already damp. If water is getting into your home in Florida, one call connects you with an independent local provider who can start drying it out.

Common problems

• Burst or leaking pipes, including supply lines to sinks, toilets and washing machines
• Roof leaks after heavy rain or wind, often showing up first as a ceiling stain
• Water heater leaks and failures
• Flooding from storms, overwhelmed drainage or rising water
• Appliance leaks from dishwashers, refrigerators and ice makers
• Sewer and drain backups

Help with a specific problem

• Burst pipe
• Water leaking through the ceiling

What homes in Florida are up against

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but heavy rain can flood streets and yards in any month. The EPA advises drying water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, which in Florida's humid air usually takes professional drying equipment.

In the news

• Hurricane scam: Florida sues company over millions in stolen insurance funds (opens in a new tab)FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Sep 25, 2026

  Florida's attorney general sued Evolve Construction in September 2026, alleging it took insurance money from Hurricane Ian and Milton victims, mostly seniors, for roof, mold and restoration work it never started. Verify licenses and avoid big upfront payments.

• Flood insurance will be mandatory for most Citizens policyholders by 2027 (opens in a new tab)News4JAX, Sep 16, 2025

  Citizens Property Insurance is phasing in a flood insurance requirement for its homeowners that reaches all remaining policies Jan. 1, 2027, even outside FEMA flood zones. Homeowners policies exclude rising water, and noncompliance can cost you your Citizens coverage.

• Florida DBPR Takes Action Against Unlicensed Contractors Targeting Floridians Impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton (opens in a new tab)Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Nov 4, 2024

  After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida's licensing agency ran stings in Pinellas County that led to more than 50 arrests of people soliciting unlicensed plumbing, roofing, electrical and structural repairs. The state urges homeowners to verify licenses and report violators.

• Florida insurers will provide limited coverage for non-weather-related water damage (opens in a new tab)South Florida Sun Sentinel (via The Guam Daily Post), Oct 13, 2024

  In October 2024 Slide and Monarch agreed to include up to $10,000 of non-weather water damage coverage, such as appliance or plumbing leaks, on policies taken from Citizens after regulators required comparable coverage. Check your policy's water damage limit before a leak.

• CONSUMER ALERT: Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians About Disaster-Related Scams Following Hurricane Milton (opens in a new tab)Florida Office of the Attorney General, Oct 11, 2024

  After Hurricane Milton, Florida's attorney general warned that scammers target storm victims. Get three written estimates, verify license, insurance and bonding, avoid paying in full upfront, collect subcontractor lien releases, and let your insurer assess damage before repairs.

Permits and rules

• Mold work over 10 square feet is regulated. Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation licenses mold remediators and assessors, with exemptions for some other licensed trades. An assessor generally can't also do the remediation on the same home within 12 months.
• Insurance claim deadlines. Notice of a new property insurance claim must be given within 1 year of the date of loss, or 18 months for a supplemental claim. For a hurricane, the date of loss is the landfall date.
• No assignment of benefits. For residential property policies issued on or after January 1, 2023, you can't sign your insurance benefits over to a contractor. Be wary of anyone who asks you to.

What affects the cost

Prices vary by provider and by how much was affected, so ask for an estimate. What usually affects the cost:

• How large an area got wet, and for how long
• Whether the water was clean, like a supply line, or contaminated, like sewage or floodwater
• How much material has to come out, such as drywall, flooring or insulation
• Whether mold has started to grow
• Drying equipment and how many days it runs
• Rebuilding after the drying is done

What happens when you call

1. You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
2. We connect your call to an independent water damage provider who serves Florida.
3. You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.

Main Street Services doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.

Questions people ask

What should I do first?

If it's safe, shut off the water at the main valve and turn off power to wet areas. Move valuables out of the water and take photos of the damage.

How long does drying take?

It depends on how much got wet and what it's made of. Your provider measures moisture and can tell you how long their equipment needs to run.

Will insurance cover it?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden leaks are often treated differently from flooding or slow leaks. Check with your insurer and report the claim promptly.

Who will come to my home?

An independent water damage provider who serves Florida. Main Street Services connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.