Inglewood Water Damage Restoration for Homes, Apartments and Businesses

Living on Top of the Newport-Inglewood Fault

Inglewood sits about 4 miles east of LAX on roughly 9 square miles of gently rolling land, around 130 feet above sea level. The city takes its name from the Centinela Valley area, where the Aguaje de Centinela natural springs once supported Native American settlement and later ranching.

Underneath it all runs the Newport-Inglewood Fault. Inglewood was damaged in the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, and shaking remains a real concern. From a water damage point of view, a strong quake can crack supply lines, tip water heaters and break sprinkler pipes all at once, even on a sunny day.

Earthquake damage is excluded from standard homeowners policies, apart from fire caused by an earthquake. California insurers must offer earthquake coverage in writing every other year, and the California Earthquake Authority sells policies through participating insurers. Strapping your water heater is a simple way to cut the risk of a flooded garage after shaking.

A Reminder From the 1963 Baldwin Hills Dam Failure

Water can arrive from unexpected places. On December 14, 1963, the Baldwin Hills Reservoir dam, just north of Inglewood in South Los Angeles, failed. About 290 million gallons poured into nearby streets in 77 minutes, five people died and 277 homes were destroyed. Investigators concluded that oil operations in the nearby Inglewood Oil Field played a significant role in destabilizing the dam's lining.

That kind of disaster is rare, but it is a reminder that water does not have to come from rain. Today, most water damage in Inglewood begins with something far more ordinary: a broken pipe, a leaking roof or an overflowing drain.

Older Housing, Many Renters and Hidden Leaks

Inglewood grew quickly from the 1920s through the 1960s, rising from about 19,500 residents in 1930 to nearly 90,000 by 1970. Many homes and apartment buildings from those decades still have original or aging plumbing. In the 2020 census, about 64 percent of the city's housing units were renter-occupied.

Common sources of water damage in Inglewood include:

• Failed water heaters in garages, closets and service porches
• Corroded supply lines and worn shutoff valves under sinks and toilets
• Older drain lines that back up into tubs, showers or floors
• Leaks from one apartment into the unit below
• Roof and window leaks that appear only during winter rains

Renters should report leaks to the landlord quickly and in writing, and owners should check units next to and below the source. Call (888) 817-5061 to be connected with a local company for water damage repair and drying.

If Water Is Spreading Right Now

1. Close a valve. Shut the fixture valve or the main water shutoff. After an earthquake, also check gas lines and leave if you smell gas.
2. Watch for shock hazards. Keep out of standing water near outlets, cords and appliances. Turn off breakers only from a dry spot.
3. Identify the water type. Clean supply water is Category 1. Sewage backups and water from outside are Category 2 or 3 and can carry contamination, so limit contact.
4. Photograph first. Capture the source, the water and damaged belongings before moving anything.
5. Lift and move. Get rugs, electronics and paperwork out of the wet area and raise furniture on blocks.
6. Bring in a pro. We can connect you with a local provider for emergency water removal as soon as you call.

From Wet Floors to Finished Repairs

Water damage restoration in Inglewood usually follows a predictable path, whatever the source.

Extraction

Portable or truck-mounted equipment removes standing water from carpet, pad and hard flooring.

Assessment

Moisture meters and thermal cameras find water that has moved under flooring, into wall cavities or into a neighboring unit. Those readings are recorded for the drying plan and the insurance claim.

Drying

Air movers and dehumidifiers run until materials reach dry standards. Saturated drywall and insulation are often removed to let walls dry from the inside. Learn more about structural drying.

Rebuild

Once everything is confirmed dry, drywall, flooring, baseboards and cabinets are repaired or replaced. Before any work, ask the company about its licensing, insurance and training, such as IICRC certification.

Rainy Season Flood Cleanup and Storm Damage

Inglewood averages about 13 inches of rain a year, nearly all in winter. Most years are mild, but atmospheric rivers can deliver a season's worth of rain quickly. In February 2024, downtown Los Angeles recorded 7.03 inches in two days. In flat neighborhoods, intense rain can overwhelm yard drains and send water toward doorways, garages and below-grade spaces.

Storm damage cleanup often starts with a roof tarp or boarded opening, followed by removal of wet materials and drying. Flood cleanup involving outdoor water should be treated as contaminated, with soaked porous items usually discarded. Before winter, clear gutters and downspouts, and check sandbag locations on Ready LA County.

Mold, Licensing and Insurance Basics

The EPA advises that mold may begin to form on materials that stay wet for 24 to 48 hours. In apartments, it often grows inside shared walls or under cabinets, where it goes unseen. Mold cleanup in Inglewood works best when the moisture source is fixed first.

There is no state license in California specifically for mold assessors or remediators, according to an industry roundup of state requirements. Remediation that includes construction falls under the Contractors State License Board. Since January 1, 2025, a CSLB license is needed for jobs totaling $1,000 or more, or for any permitted job. Read more on mold removal.

• Flood: The California Department of Insurance says homeowners policies exclude flood, mudslide and debris flow. NFIP policies generally start 30 days after purchase.
• Earthquake: Separate coverage is needed, as described above.
• Records: Keep photos, invoices and drying logs. Business owners and property managers can call (888) 817-5061 for help with commercial spaces too.

Inglewood Neighborhoods and Surrounding Communities

Our free referral line connects callers in every part of Inglewood and the nearby South Bay and Westside communities with independent local restoration companies.

Neighborhoods

• Morningside Park
• Downtown Inglewood
• Fairview Heights
• Arbor Village
• Hollypark Knolls
• Centinela Heights
• Century Heights
• Inglewood Knolls
• Lockhaven
• Crenshaw-Imperial

Nearby communities

• Westchester
• Lennox
• Hawthorne
• Ladera Heights
• Hyde Park
• Baldwin Hills
• Culver City
• El Segundo

Local emergency and flood resources

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

• Ready LA County (storm prep, sandbag sites)
• LA County Public Works flood zone determination
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• California Earthquake Authority