24/7 Emergency Water Removal in Fort Myers and Lee County
Get the water out within hours: clean water can turn into contaminated Category 2 water within 24 to 48 hours.
Extraction removes standing water in hours; drying the structure takes another 3 to 5 days for most clean-water jobs.
Emergency extraction typically costs $500 to $2,000 (national 2026 range).
Water spreading right now? Do this first
- Cut the power to any room where water reaches outlets, cords or appliances. Use the breaker, and don't stand in water to do it.
- Stop the source. Close the fixture valve or the main shut-off near the water meter or in the garage. For an AC overflow, turn the system off at the thermostat.
- Photograph everything: the water, the source, wet walls and belongings, before anything is moved.
- Lift and move rugs, electronics, papers and small furniture out of the water.
- Don't use a household vacuum. It isn't built for water and can shock you.
More steps: the first-hour water damage checklist.
What happens during emergency water removal in Fort Myers?
Safety and source check. The crew confirms the water is stopped and the power is safe, and identifies the water category: clean, gray or sewage.
Moisture mapping. Moisture meters and a thermal camera show how far water traveled under tile, vinyl plank, baseboards and into the bottom of the drywall.
Extraction. Truck-mounted or portable extractors pull standing water and water held in carpet. Weighted extraction tools press water out of carpet and pad.
Remove what can't be saved. Soaked carpet pad, swollen particle board and anything touched by sewage are usually removed and photographed for the claim.
Set the drying equipment. Extraction removes the liquid; the rest is pulled out over the next days by structural drying with dehumidifiers and air movers.
How fast does the water need to come out?
The clock matters more than anything else on the job.
| Time since the leak | What is happening |
|---|---|
| First hours | Water runs under baseboards and flooring; drywall starts wicking water upward |
| 24 to 48 hours | Clean water can become Category 2; mold can start in Florida humidity |
| After 2 days | Particle board and MDF swell for good; flooring cups or lifts; odors set in |
In Fort Myers, homes are mostly built on concrete slabs, so water spreads sideways under tile and vinyl plank instead of draining away. That is why a floor can look dry while the slab and walls are still wet.
Extraction equipment, and why it matters
- Truck-mounted extractors have the most suction and are used for large areas and deep carpet.
- Portable extractors reach condos, upper floors and tight spaces where a truck hose can't.
- Submersible pumps move deep standing water, such as a flooded garage or ground floor after a storm.
- Weighted extraction tools press water out of carpet and pad that a wand alone would leave behind.
- Moisture meters and thermal cameras show where the water went, so nothing wet gets closed up behind a wall.
The more water extraction removes, the shorter and cheaper the drying.
Can I remove the water myself with a shop vac?
For a small clean-water spill caught right away, a wet vac and fans can be enough. It usually isn't enough when:
- Water sat for more than a few hours or reached more than one room.
- It ran under tile, vinyl plank, cabinets or baseboards.
- The water came from a toilet, drain or floodwater.
- Drywall feels soft or paint is bubbling.
The water you can see is rarely the problem. The water inside walls and under flooring is what turns into mold and swelling later.
What can be saved after the water is removed?
| Material | Usually |
|---|---|
| Carpet (clean water, caught fast) | Often dried in place; the pad is usually replaced |
| Carpet (sewage or floodwater) | Removed |
| Tile on slab | Stays; grout lines and slab are dried |
| Luxury vinyl plank | Often lifted, because it traps water on the slab |
| Drywall | Dried in place if clean and caught fast; cut out if contaminated or long-wet |
| Particle board cabinets | Replaced if swollen; toe kicks removed to dry underneath |
| Wood furniture | Dried and cleaned if not swollen or delaminated |
For floors and cabinets in detail, see water damaged floors and water damaged kitchen cabinets.
Where water removal calls come from in Fort Myers homes
Burst supply lines under sinks and toilets. See burst pipe cleanup.
AC overflow from a clogged condensate drain line into closets and ceilings. See AC leak water damage.
Water heater failures in garages, closets and condo utility rooms. See water heater leak cleanup.
Washing machine and dishwasher leaks, which count as Category 2 water. See appliance leak water damage.
Water from the unit above in condos. See condo water damage.
Storm water pushed in under sliding doors and lanai thresholds during heavy rain.
Water removal in condos, garages and lanais
Condos. Upper-floor units often need portable equipment, and water may already be in the unit below. Tell building management right away so the riser or the unit above can be shut off.
Garages. Water heaters and washers often sit in the garage. Water on a garage slab runs under the door into the house and soaks the bottom of garage drywall and stored boxes.
Lanais and sliding doors. During heavy summer storms, wind-driven rain can push under sliding doors and lanai thresholds into living areas. Rainwater that touched the ground outside is treated as contaminated.
Water removal after a storm
After hurricanes and heavy rain, many Lee County homes have both rising water at floor level and roof leaks overhead. Wait for officials to say it's safe, keep the power off if water reached outlets or the panel, and photograph everything before you start. Floodwater is Category 3, so removal comes with flood cuts and disinfection. See flood and storm cleanup.
How much does emergency water removal cost?
Emergency extraction alone typically runs $500 to $2,000, and full mitigation (extraction plus drying) about $3 to $4 per square foot for clean water, according to national 2026 cost guides.
| Work | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Emergency water extraction | $500 to $2,000 |
| Category 1 extraction and drying | $3 to $4 per sq ft |
| Category 2 extraction and drying | $4 to $6.50 per sq ft |
| Drying equipment, whole job | $800 to $3,000 |
These are national ranges, not a quote. Your price is set after an inspection and should be in writing before work starts. See the full water damage cost guide.
Will insurance pay for water removal?
Often yes, when the water came from a sudden event like a burst line or an appliance failure. Most policies also expect you to act quickly to stop further damage, so starting water removal right away usually helps a claim rather than hurting it. Flooding from rising water needs a separate flood policy. Read how insurance handles water damage in Florida.
Questions about emergency water removal
How long does water extraction take?
Extraction for one or two rooms usually takes a few hours. Drying afterward takes days, and equipment stays until moisture readings are back to normal.
Should I turn off the electricity?
Turn off power at the breaker to any room where water touches outlets, cords or appliances. If the breaker panel is in a wet area, don't touch it; wait for an electrician or the utility.
Will my carpet be saved?
Carpet soaked by clean water and extracted quickly can often be dried in place, though the pad is usually replaced. Carpet touched by sewage or floodwater has to be removed.
Do I need to leave the house?
Usually not for a clean-water leak. Leave the affected rooms if the water is sewage or floodwater, or if a ceiling is sagging.
Is water removal the same as water mitigation?
Water removal is the first part. Mitigation is the whole job of stopping further damage: removing water, taking out what can't be saved, and drying the structure.
Where is the main water shut-off in a Fort Myers home?
Usually where the line enters the house, often in the garage near the water heater, on an outside wall, or at the meter box near the street, which may need a meter key.
Is there emergency water extraction near me in Cape Coral or Lehigh Acres?
Yes. Emergency water removal covers Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, Estero and Bonita Springs, and we answer 24/7 at 239-356-3708.
Water on your floor right now?
The faster it comes out, the less has to be torn out later. Call and tell us what you see.
Call 239-356-3708 answered 24/7