Water Damage & Emergency Water Extraction in Lake Charles, LA

People in Calcasieu Parish know water damage better than most. Whether it's a roof that let go in a storm, a flooded street that came inside, or a pipe that burst overnight, the first job is the same: get the water out and get the house dry before mold starts. Call (337) 477-3723 as soon as you find it. One call connects you with a local pro for water extraction, drying and a free quote.

Before help arrives

• Stay out of standing water if outlets, cords or appliances are in it. Shut off power at the main only if you can reach it from a dry spot.
• Close the main water valve if a pipe or fixture is leaking.
• Assume floodwater is contaminated. The CDC warns it can carry sewage, bacteria and chemicals.
• Photograph everything before it's moved or thrown away.

What Southwest Louisiana homes are up against

Recent years have tested nearly every house in the area:

• Hurricane Laura, Aug. 27, 2020. The strongest hurricane on record to strike Southwest Louisiana. Its eyewall passed over the whole Lake Charles metro, and the NWS recorded a 133 mph gust at the airport before the equipment was destroyed. Torn roofs let wind-driven rain into attics, walls and ceilings.
• Hurricane Delta, Oct. 9, 2020. Landfall near Creole six weeks later. The NWS reported 10 to 18 inches of rain across Calcasieu Parish, with several homes taking on water and major flooding along the lower Calcasieu River.
• February 2021 winter storm. Power loss at the city's water plants cut pressure and brought a boil advisory. Frozen pipes are a common cause of water damage after a hard freeze.
• May 17, 2021. Lake Charles got 12.49 inches of rain in a day, six of it in two hours, and nearly half the roads in the parish had water on them.

Everyday causes matter too: failed water heaters, supply lines, AC drain pans overflowing during long cooling seasons, and small roof leaks that go unnoticed for months.

Why you shouldn't wait

The EPA recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. After a storm, that's hard when roads are closed and everyone needs help at once, so call as early as you can and get on the list.

How water extraction and drying work

1. Call and describe the source, the rooms affected and how long the water has been there.
2. Walkthrough and written quote. Your local pro finds the source, maps how far moisture has spread into floors and walls, and gives you a clear written quote.
3. Remove the water. Standing water is pumped or vacuumed out.
4. Remove what can't be saved. Wet carpet pad, lower drywall, insulation and baseboards often come out, especially after floodwater.
5. Dry the structure. Air movers and dehumidifiers run until moisture readings confirm it's dry.
6. Clean and prevent mold. Surfaces are cleaned and sanitized, and any mold is addressed before walls are closed back up.

What affects the cost

There's no honest one-size price for water damage. The quote depends on:

• Clean water from a pipe versus floodwater or sewage
• How long the water sat
• How many rooms, and whether it reached the crawl space or attic
• How much material has to be removed
• How many days of drying it takes

Your quote is free and comes in writing before work starts.

Protect yourself after a storm

• Don't sign over your insurance benefits. Louisiana law makes post-loss assignment of property insurance benefits to a contractor void.
• Get an itemized written estimate before work begins.
• Price gouging is illegal in Louisiana during a declared state of emergency. You can report it to the Attorney General's office.

Serving Lake Charles and nearby

Your local pro works in Lake Charles, Sulphur, Moss Bluff, Westlake, Prien, Carlyss, Iowa, Vinton and DeQuincy. Elsewhere in Calcasieu Parish? Call and ask.

Water damage FAQ

Lake Charles Mold Pros connects homeowners with independent local mold remediation and water damage professionals.