Auburn Water Damage Restoration for Homeowners and Landlords

On the Fall Line: How Auburn's Terrain Moves Water

Auburn sits right on the Fall Line, where the rolling Piedmont meets the flatter coastal plain. The last foothill of the Appalachians rises in Chewacla State Park on the south side of town. Water from the city drains in different directions: north toward the Saugahatchee Creek system, south into the Chewacla and Opintlocco Creek system, and in the far north toward Sandy Creek.

That terrain matters during a storm. On sloped lots, runoff can rush toward foundations, patios and garage doors. On lower, flatter ground near creeks, water can collect and stay. Auburn averages about 52.6 inches of rain a year, so drainage problems tend to show up again and again until they are fixed.

If your property takes on water, call (888) 817-5061. We will connect you with a local company that handles water extraction, drying and flood cleanup in Auburn.

Student Rentals and the Landlord's Leak Plan

As home to Auburn University, the city has a large student population. If you rent a house or apartment to students or other tenants, leaks bring a few extra complications: tenants may not know where the shutoff is, owners may live elsewhere, and units can sit empty during school breaks.

• Label the main shutoff and show every tenant where it is at move-in.
• Plan for breaks. Before holidays and summer, ask tenants to report drips, keep heat set above freezing in winter and consider shutting off water to vacant units.
• Put a contact plan in writing so tenants know whom to call for a leak at 2 a.m.
• Act on small signs like a running toilet, a soft floor near a tub or a stain under a sink.

Landlords and property managers can call any time to be connected with a restoration company that can document conditions for the owner, the tenant and the insurer.

Severe Weather Lessons From Lee County

East Alabama sees severe thunderstorms with damaging wind and large hail, and tornadoes are a serious threat. On March 3, 2019, an EF4 tornado tore through Beauregard and Smiths Station, southeast of Auburn, killing 23 people in Lee County. Inland hurricanes reach this area too, including Opal in 1995 and Ivan in 2004.

After the wind passes, rain becomes the bigger problem for many homes. Missing shingles, cracked windows and holes from falling limbs let water into attics, walls and ceilings. Once it is safe:

1. Photograph roof, siding and window damage from the ground.
2. Cover openings with tarps or plywood to stop more water.
3. Check attics and ceilings for wet insulation and staining.

Professional storm damage cleanup can combine tarping, debris removal and interior drying. Sign up for free weather alerts through the Lee County Emergency Management Agency.

Your First 60 Minutes After Finding Water

1. Close the valve. Shut the main water supply or the valve for the leaking fixture.
2. Stay clear of electricity. Avoid standing water near outlets, lamps and appliances, and switch off breakers only from a dry spot.
3. Judge the water. Clean water from a supply pipe is Category 1. Gray water from a washer or dishwasher is Category 2. Floodwater or sewage is Category 3 and needs professional handling.
4. Capture it on camera. Record the source and every wet area before moving things.
5. Rescue belongings. Move laptops, textbooks, documents, rugs and furniture somewhere dry.
6. Bring in help. Call (888) 817-5061 and we will connect you with a nearby provider for emergency water extraction.

How the Restoration Process Unfolds

Most water damage restoration in Auburn moves through the same core steps.

Assessment

The crew confirms the source, classifies the water and maps moisture with meters and often thermal imaging. In apartments, they may need to check units next door or below.

Extraction

Standing water is removed from carpet, pad and hard floors. Wet pad is commonly replaced.

Drying

Dehumidifiers and air movers run while readings are tracked daily until materials are dry. Learn about structural drying.

Repair

Then comes water damage repair: drywall, paint, flooring, trim and cabinets. Before you sign anything, ask the Auburn contractor to show proof of insurance, any required licenses and staff training credentials like IICRC.

Creek Overflow, Runoff and Flood Cleanup

Heavy rain can send creeks over their banks and overwhelm yard drainage on sloped and low lots alike. Lee County EMA publishes flood preparedness guidance along with its tornado and hurricane information, and the county posts stormwater information through its highway department.

Any water that came from outside should be treated as Category 3. It may contain sewage, fertilizers and debris, so soaked carpet, pad and lower drywall are typically removed. Flood cleanup includes that removal, cleaning and disinfection, followed by thorough drying.

Before the next storm, look up your property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Flood risk is not limited to mapped zones, especially near creeks.

Mold Prevention, Licensing and Insurance in Alabama

Mold may start growing within 24 to 48 hours on materials that stay wet, per EPA guidance, and Auburn's humid summers help it along. Drying quickly is the best defense, and containment keeps spores from spreading during mold removal in Auburn.

Here is what Auburn owners should know about licensing: an industry roundup of state requirements indicates Alabama has no state license specifically for mold remediation, and we were unable to find an official Alabama agency that licenses mold assessors or remediators. Ask about IICRC training and for written clearance results. Read more about mold removal.

• Flood is excluded from standard homeowners and renters policies. NFIP or private flood coverage applies, and NFIP policies generally wait 30 days before starting.
• Renters need their own policy for belongings; the landlord's policy usually covers the building.
• Licensed repairs. The Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board licenses residential builders and remodelers on work over $10,000 and roofers over $2,500.

Auburn Areas and Lee County Communities Covered

WaterQ's free referral line connects callers across Auburn and surrounding Lee County communities with independent local restoration providers.

Neighborhoods

• Downtown Auburn
• Auburn University campus area
• Chewacla State Park area
• Kiesel Park area
• Sand Hill Road area
• Opelika Road corridor

Nearby communities

• Opelika
• Beauregard
• Beulah
• Smiths Station
• Loachapoka
• Salem
• Notasulga
• Waverly

Local emergency and flood resources

Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Auburn:

• Lee County Emergency Management Agency
• Lee County EMA free weather alerts
• Lee County stormwater information
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center