Water damage repair and restoration in Washington, DC

In Washington, DC, most water damage starts in one of two places: a century-old rowhouse or an apartment building where a leak travels between units. Summer cloudbursts can overwhelm older sewer lines and back water into English basements, and low-lying areas near the Anacostia and in parts of Northeast and Southwest flood during heavy rain.

Call (833) 462-1975 Request service

Flood water covering a floor at the foot of a staircase — Common in Washington: english basement flooding and radiator and riser leaks

Quick answer

For water, fire or smoke damage in Washington, DC, stop the source if it's safe, then call (833) 462-1975. We connect you with an independent restoration company that serves your ZIP; 277 Washington ZIP codes are covered. The most common local causes are english basement flooding, radiator and riser leaks and condo water losses.

ZIP codes: 277
County: District of Columbia
State: Washington, DC
Top risk: English basement flooding

All 277 covered Washington ZIP codes

20001, 20002, 20003, 20004, 20005, 20006, 20007, 20008, 20009, 20010, 20011, 20012, 20013, 20015, 20016, 20017, 20018, 20019, 20020, 20022, 20024, 20026, 20027, 20029, 20030, 20032, 20033, 20035, 20036, 20037, 20038, 20039, 20040, 20042, 20043, 20044, 20045, 20047, 20049, 20050, 20052, 20053, 20055, 20056, 20057, 20058, 20059, 20060, 20061, 20062, 20063, 20064, 20065, 20066, 20067, 20068, 20069, 20070, 20071, 20073, 20074, 20075, 20076, 20077, 20078, 20080, 20081, 20082, 20090, 20091, 20201, 20202, 20203, 20204, 20206, 20207, 20208, 20210, 20211, 20212, 20213, 20214, 20215, 20216, 20217, 20218, 20219, 20220, 20221, 20222, 20223, 20224, 20226, 20227, 20228, 20229, 20230, 20232, 20233, 20235, 20237, 20238, 20239, 20240, 20241, 20242, 20244, 20245, 20250, 20251, 20254, 20260, 20261, 20262, 20265, 20266, 20268, 20270, 20277, 20289, 20299, 20301, 20303, 20306, 20310, 20314, 20317, 20318, 20319, 20330, 20340, 20350, 20355, 20370, 20372, 20374, 20375, 20376, 20380, 20389, 20390, 20391, 20392, 20393, 20394, 20395, 20398, 20401, 20402, 20403, 20404, 20405, 20406, 20407, 20408, 20410, 20411, 20412, 20413, 20414, 20415, 20416, 20417, 20418, 20419, 20420, 20421, 20422, 20423, 20424, 20425, 20426, 20427, 20428, 20429, 20431, 20433, 20434, 20435, 20436, 20437, 20439, 20440, 20441, 20442, 20444, 20447, 20451, 20453, 20456, 20460, 20463, 20468, 20469, 20470, 20472, 20500, 20501, 20502, 20503, 20504, 20505, 20506, 20507, 20508, 20509, 20510, 20511, 20515, 20520, 20521, 20522, 20523, 20524, 20525, 20526, 20527, 20528, 20529, 20530, 20531, 20533, 20534, 20535, 20536, 20537, 20538, 20539, 20540, 20541, 20542, 20543, 20544, 20546, 20547, 20548, 20549, 20551, 20552, 20553, 20554, 20555, 20557, 20559, 20560, 20565, 20566, 20570, 20571, 20572, 20573, 20575, 20576, 20577, 20578, 20579, 20580, 20581, 20585, 20586, 20590, 20591, 20593, 20594, 20597, 20599, 56901, 56902, 56904, 56915, 56920, 56933, 56944, 56945, 56950, 56965, 56972

Local risks

Water damage risks for Washington homes

Capitol Hill, Shaw, Columbia Heights, Petworth and many other neighborhoods are built from brick rowhouses with plaster walls, radiator heat and below-grade basement units. Newer condo buildings line the waterfront and major corridors, where one failed supply line or water heater can affect several floors.

English basement flooding

Below-grade units take on water through front stairwells, window wells and floor drains during intense storms. A backflow valve and a working stairwell drain are the main defenses.

Radiator and riser leaks

Old steam and hot-water radiators, valves and vertical risers leak slowly behind plaster, often noticed only as stains in the unit below.

Condo water losses

In multi-unit buildings, the association's master policy and each owner's policy cover different parts. Report leaks to building management quickly.

FAQ

Washington questions

Who do I call for water damage in Washington?

My DC basement apartment flooded in a storm. Who pays?

If you rent, report it to your landlord in writing right away; the landlord is generally responsible for the building, and renters insurance covers your belongings. Sewer backup is often excluded unless the policy has a water backup endorsement.

Do I need a permit for water damage repairs in DC?

Many repairs need a permit from the DC Department of Buildings, and homes in historic districts may need preservation review for exterior work. Your contractor should know which apply.

Common calls

Most requested in Washington

Flooded Basement Cleanup

Flooded basement cleanup means pumping out the water, removing wet carpet, drywall and insulation that can't be saved, cleaning and disinfecting, and drying the space with dehumidifiers.

About flooded basement cleanup

Ceiling panels collapsed after a water leak

Ceiling Leak Water Damage

A wet ceiling needs the leak stopped at its source (roof, plumbing, HVAC drain or a bathroom above), the ceiling cavity dried, and damaged drywall and insulation replaced.

About ceiling leak water damage

Sewage Backup Cleanup

Sewage backup cleanup is category 3 water work: crews in protective gear remove the waste water and every porous material it touched, clean and disinfect hard surfaces, and dry the area.

About sewage backup cleanup

Dark mold streaks growing down a damp wall

Mold Remediation

Mold remediation contains the affected area, removes moldy porous materials, cleans hard surfaces and fixes the moisture problem that caused it.

About mold remediation

Also available: emergency water removal and every water and fire damage service.

Guides

Water damage help near Washington

Also covered in District of Columbia

Naval Anacost Annex · Washington Navy Yard

All Washington, DC coverage

Water damage in Washington?

Stop the source if you can, then call. We'll connect you with a local restoration company that serves your ZIP.

Fast callback on emergency requests

Call (833) 462-1975 Request service