Flood Repair Guide
What to do first, what has to come out, and how a flooded house gets put back together the right way.
After the Water Goes Down
Stay safe, take photos, get the wet material out, and let the house dry before anything goes back.
In August 2016, heavy rain put water in tens of thousands of homes across Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Central, and nearby towns. Many of those homes had never flooded before. People here learned the hard way that how you handle the first days after a flood shapes the whole rebuild.
This guide walks through the steps in order, from safety to the last piece of trim. Every flood and every insurance policy is different, so use it as a starting point and talk to your insurer early. When you are ready to rebuild, our major home repair team can look at the house and give you a free written estimate.
Do not walk into standing water while the power is on. Have the electricity shut off at the meter or main panel, and call the gas company if you smell gas. Wear boots and gloves, because flood water is dirty.
Before you tear anything out, take photos and video of every room, the water line on the walls, and damaged belongings. Contact your insurer early and ask what they need to see. We can't promise how any claim will turn out.
Drywall and insulation soak up water and do not dry well inside a wall. They are cut out above the water line. Carpet, pad, laminate, and swollen wood floors usually come out too, along with wet cabinets and baseboards.
Getting this material out quickly matters in Louisiana heat. Mold can start growing within days on damp paper and wood. Opening the walls lets air reach the studs, which is what makes the next step possible.
Wood studs and wall plates hold water long after they feel dry to the touch. Fans and dehumidifiers pull that moisture out over days or weeks, depending on the weather and how long the house sat wet.
A moisture meter tells you when the wood is ready. Closing walls over damp framing traps water behind new drywall and leads to mold and a musty smell. Cleaning the studs before insulation goes in helps keep mold from coming back.
If your home is in a mapped flood zone and the damage is severe, substantial damage rules may require raising the house or meeting other standards before you rebuild. Your parish floodplain office makes that call, so check with them first.
Once permits are settled, the rebuild goes in order. Wiring and plumbing are checked and repaired, then insulation, drywall, floors, cabinets, and trim. Materials that handle water well, like tile and moisture-resistant board, are worth choosing low on the walls.
Flood Rebuild Details
Lessons local homeowners learned in 2016 and since.
Clear pictures of the water line and damage help when you talk with your insurer.
A meter reading, not a guess, tells you when the framing is dry enough.
Studs are cleaned and allowed to dry so mold does not grow behind new walls.
Wiring, outlets, and panels that sat under water need to be checked by an electrician.
This office decides whether substantial damage rules apply to your flood zone home.
Tile and similar hard floors hold up better than carpet if water comes again.
Putting the House Back
Four stages from a gutted house to a finished one.
Wet drywall, insulation, flooring, and cabinets come out so the framing can breathe.
Fans and dehumidifiers run until a moisture meter shows the wood is ready.
Licensed trades check and fix what the water reached, then the work is inspected.
Insulation, drywall, floors, cabinets, paint, and trim go back in that order.
Flood Rebuild Questions
There is no set number of days. It depends on how long the water sat, the weather, and how much air is moving. Drying often takes a few weeks. The right test is a moisture meter reading on the studs, not the calendar. We check before any wall is closed.
Ask your insurer, because each company handles it differently. Most want you to stop further damage, and wet material left in place grows mold. Take thorough photos and video first, and keep samples of flooring if asked. We can't speak for your insurer or promise what a policy will cover.
It is a rule tied to the flood insurance program. When repair costs reach a set share of the home's value, the house may have to meet current flood rules, which can mean raising it. Your parish floodplain office makes the decision and can explain how it applies to you.
Sometimes. Solid wood cabinets that were wet only briefly may dry out and be reused. Cabinets made of particleboard usually swell and fall apart. Lower cabinets also have to come out so the wall behind them can be opened and dried. We look at each one before deciding.
Usually, yes, when walls are opened and wiring or plumbing is repaired. Homes in a flood zone often get extra review before the permit is issued. Rules differ by parish and city, and they can change after a big flood, so we confirm with your permit office before work starts.
Flood Repair Estimates
Call us to walk the house with you and give a free written estimate for the rebuild.
Flood Damage Help
Let us know how high the water got and what has been removed so far.
Hours of Operation
Tell us about the project — we'll reply during business hours.
