IICRC ASD Certified | Category 1, 2 & 3 Water Specialists | Emergency Board-Up Services | 60-Minute Response
Flooding can devastate your property within hours. Our emergency crews respond 24/7 with industrial extraction equipment to minimize damage and begin restoration immediately.
When flooding strikes your San Diego property from storms, sewage backups, or burst pipes, immediate professional response is critical. Cal Coast specializes in emergency flood cleanup, handling everything from clean water flooding to hazardous black water contamination. Our IICRC ASD-certified technicians respond within 60 minutes with industrial equipment to extract water, dry structures, and restore your property safely.
Category 1 (Clean): Supply lines, rainwater
Category 2 (Gray): Appliances, washers
Category 3 (Black): Sewage, flooding, contaminated water requiring specialized EPA-compliant protocols
San Diego's winter storms can overwhelm drainage systems and cause roof failures. We provide complete storm damage restoration including water extraction, structural drying, and emergency board-up services to secure your property.
Broken windows, damaged doors, or compromised structures leave your property vulnerable. Our emergency board-up services secure openings, prevent weather intrusion, and protect against theft—available 24/7.
Flooding causes exponentially more damage with each passing hour. Our guaranteed 60-minute response time anywhere in San Diego County ensures we arrive during the critical window when damage can still be minimized.
Not all flooding is the same. The source and contamination level determine cleanup protocols, safety requirements, and insurance coverage.
Sources: Broken supply lines, sink overflows, rainwater (before contact with ground), melting snow
Risk Level: Minimal health risk if handled within 48 hours
Our Approach: Rapid extraction and drying to prevent Category 2 progression
Timeline Critical: Clean water becomes Category 2 (gray water) within 48 hours as bacteria multiply
Sources: Washing machines, dishwashers, toilet overflow (no feces), sump pump failures, clean water standing 48+ hours
Risk Level: Contains contaminants that can cause illness if ingested
Our Approach: Full PPE, antimicrobial treatments, careful contents evaluation
Special Considerations: Porous materials (carpet, drywall) may need replacement depending on saturation
Sources: Sewage backups, toilet overflow with feces, flooding from rivers/streams, standing water 72+ hours
Risk Level: Serious health hazard—contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxic chemicals
Our Approach: Full hazmat protocols, EPA-approved antimicrobials, extensive material removal, air quality testing
Insurance Note: Many policies cover sewage backup only with specific endorsements—we help navigate coverage
Critical: Category 3 requires professional restoration—DIY attempts are dangerous and can spread contamination
IICRC Advanced Structural Drying (ASD) certified methodology for complete flood recovery
Timeline: Within 60 minutes
Upon arrival, our priority is safety. We assess structural integrity, identify electrical hazards, check for gas leaks, and determine water category. For Category 2 or 3 water, we establish containment protocols to prevent cross-contamination. If necessary, we coordinate emergency board-up to secure the property before beginning water extraction.
Timeline: 2-8 hours depending on volume
Using truck-mounted pumps capable of removing thousands of gallons per hour, we extract all standing water. For severe flooding, we deploy submersible pumps for deep water and portable extractors for hard-to-reach areas. Speed is critical—every hour of water contact increases structural damage and contamination risk.
Timeline: 1-3 days depending on category
Category 2 and 3 water contaminate porous materials beyond salvage. We remove and properly dispose of affected drywall, insulation, baseboards, carpet, and padding according to EPA guidelines. For Category 3 (black water), we follow strict containment protocols to prevent spreading contamination during removal.
Timeline: 3-7 days average for flood situations
Flood damage often saturates structural materials deeply. Our IICRC ASD-certified approach uses psychrometry (moisture science) to create optimal drying conditions. We deploy commercial dehumidifiers, high-velocity air movers, and specialized equipment like injecti-dry systems for wall cavities. Daily monitoring ensures complete drying.
Timeline: 1-2 days after drying complete
All Category 2 and 3 water situations require professional antimicrobial treatment. We apply EPA-registered products that kill bacteria, viruses, and prevent mold growth. For black water situations, we conduct thorough decontamination of all affected surfaces and may recommend air quality testing before reoccupation.
Timeline: 1-4 weeks depending on extent
After complete drying and decontamination, we rebuild your property to pre-loss condition. This includes drywall installation and finishing, flooring replacement, trim work, painting, and any necessary structural repairs. As a full-service restoration company, we handle everything—no need for multiple contractors.
From water extraction to complete reconstruction, we handle every aspect of flood recovery so you can focus on getting your life back to normal.
Protecting your San Diego property during and after severe weather events
While San Diego enjoys mild weather most of the year, winter storms (December-March) can bring heavy rainfall that overwhelms drainage systems, causes roof failures, and floods properties. Flash flooding in canyons and low-lying areas is particularly dangerous.
Our Storm Response: 24/7 availability during storm events, rapid deployment, complete water extraction and drying, roof tarping if needed, emergency board-up for broken windows or doors.
Broken windows, damaged doors, or structural compromise leave your property exposed to weather, theft, and liability. Our emergency board-up services secure all openings with commercial-grade plywood, protecting your property until permanent repairs can be made.
Available 24/7 for: Storm damage, break-ins, fire damage, structural failure, vehicle impact, vandalism. We arrive within 60 minutes with all necessary materials.
Missing shingles, damaged flashing, or compromised roofing materials allow water intrusion during rainfall. If your roof is actively leaking, we provide emergency tarping to stop water entry while permanent repairs are coordinated.
Critical: Roof leaks cause exponentially more damage with each rainfall. Emergency tarping prevents ongoing damage and protects insurance coverage.
Storm damage affecting apartment buildings, condos, or commercial properties requires coordinated large-scale response. We have the equipment, personnel, and experience to handle multi-unit flooding and storm damage efficiently.
Standard homeowners insurance typically DOES cover:
Standard policies typically do NOT cover:
Separate flood insurance (NFIP) covers external flooding. Sewage backup endorsements are often inexpensive additions.
We're insurance claim specialists:
Most homeowners pay only their deductible—insurance covers the rest when properly documented.
Insurance policies have strict deadlines:
Calling us immediately protects your claim. We document properly from the start and ensure all deadlines are met.
Usually NO. Standard homeowners policies exclude flooding from outside sources (rivers, streams, heavy rain causing ground water intrusion). This type of flooding requires separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. However, if storm damage causes a roof leak that floods your home, that IS typically covered. The distinction is: water entering from above/inside = usually covered; water entering from ground/outside = usually not covered without flood insurance.
It depends on water category and extent. Category 1 (clean water): You can usually stay if flooding is limited to one area. Category 2 (gray water): Staying is possible but uncomfortable due to equipment noise, humidity, and odors. Category 3 (black water/sewage): Evacuation is strongly recommended for health and safety—contaminated water contains dangerous pathogens. We'll assess your specific situation and provide honest recommendations based on your family's safety.
Flood restoration is typically more extensive: (1) Volume: Flooding often affects entire floors or structures, not just localized areas. (2) Contamination: Floodwater is usually Category 2 or 3, requiring antimicrobial treatment and potential material removal. (3) Duration: Restoration takes longer due to deeper saturation and contamination concerns. (4) Equipment: Requires industrial-scale extraction and drying equipment. (5) Insurance: More complex claims requiring detailed documentation and category determination.
Yes, we specialize in Category 3 black water restoration. Sewage backups require EPA-compliant cleanup protocols using full personal protective equipment. We extract contaminated water, remove unsalvageable materials, apply EPA-registered antimicrobials, and thoroughly decontaminate all surfaces. Many homeowners policies exclude sewage backup unless you have a specific endorsement (typically $50-100/year). We work with insurance to maximize coverage and document everything properly for claims.
Immediate steps: (1) Call us: 619-320-2700 for 60-minute emergency response. (2) If safe, turn off electricity to flooded areas. (3) Stop water source if possible (close main valve if pipe burst). (4) Move valuables to dry areas. (5) Take photos/videos for insurance. (6) Do NOT enter deep water—electrical hazards, contamination, and structural instability are serious risks. (7) Do NOT use regular vacuums on water—electrocution risk. (8) Avoid Category 2 or 3 water contact—serious health hazard. We'll handle everything safely upon arrival.
Timeline varies significantly based on extent and category. Minor flooding (one room, Category 1): 3-5 days for extraction and drying, plus reconstruction time. Moderate flooding (multiple rooms, Category 2): 5-10 days for complete drying, antimicrobial treatment, and material removal, plus 1-2 weeks reconstruction. Major flooding (whole structure, Category 3): 1-3 weeks for drying and decontamination, plus 3-6 weeks for complete reconstruction. We provide detailed timelines during initial assessment based on your specific situation.
Our emergency board-up secures all exposed openings to protect your property from weather, theft, and liability. Included: Assessment of all compromised openings, commercial-grade plywood covering for windows and doors, secure fastening using lag bolts or screws (not nails), weather sealing where possible, securing of entry points, documentation for insurance claims. Available 24/7 with all materials on trucks. Cost: Typically $300-1,500 depending on number and size of openings—usually covered by insurance as part of emergency mitigation.
Maybe, but it depends on several factors. Saveable if: Water is Category 1, flooding lasted less than 48 hours, floors are solid hardwood (not laminate), immediate professional drying with specialized equipment. Not saveable if: Water is Category 2 or 3 (contamination concerns), flooding exceeded 72 hours, floors are laminate or engineered hardwood (moisture causes delamination), cupping/buckling is severe. We use specialized hardwood drying mats that can save floors in many cases if we respond quickly. Insurance typically covers replacement if floors can't be saved.
Trusted by San Diego homeowners since 2016
Available 24/7 with industrial equipment and IICRC-certified technicians. Don't wait—call now.
Emergency Flood Response: 619-320-270060-minute response • All water categories • Direct insurance billing • Emergency board-up