Braced
Menu

Water damage and mould remediation in Philadelphia

Restoration firms for drying and mould removal.

94 pros in Philadelphia

Water damage in Philadelphia often starts below the ground floor. The city runs a Basement Backup Protection Program that gives free backwater valve installation to homeowners whose basement fixtures back up in wet weather, and the work is done by licensed contractors with a one-year warranty. Creeks here can rise fast too: during the remnants of Ida on 1 September 2021, the Frankford Creek gauge crested at 11.03 feet, a major flood. When you hire for drying out or mould removal, ask whether the cause is a backup or a flood, because that affects what insurance covers and whether the city programme applies. Pennsylvania requires anyone doing home improvements to register with the Office of Attorney General, so ask for the registration number before work begins. Ask for a written scope that names the rooms, the drying steps and the mould areas to be treated, and keep photos of the damage before anything is removed.

Source: National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mt Holly (source, opens in a new tab)

Show
Show 74 more

Not yet verified. We checked that each one’s own website offers this work, but we haven’t contacted them yet. How a business gets listed

Know a good one we’re missing? Suggest one

What to know in Philadelphia

  • The Pennsylvania Insurance Department says damage from flooding is not covered in a homeowners insurance policy. NFIP flood insurance does not cover seepage or sewer backup damage unless the flood directly caused it, and there is generally a 30-day waiting period before a flood policy takes effect.

    Pennsylvania Insurance Department (source, opens in a new tab)

Before you hire

  1. Ask how fast they will start drying: Health Canada says a home dried within 48 hours is less likely to grow mould.

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Health Canada suggests professional help for extensive mould, meaning a patch larger than 3 m².

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Philadelphia

Does Philadelphia help with basement sewer backups?

Yes. The Basement Backup Protection Program installs a backwater valve for free, and downspout changes if needed, for homeowners whose basement fixtures back up in wet weather. Licensed contractors do the work with a one-year warranty. After that, repairs and maintenance are your responsibility. City of Philadelphia (source, opens in a new tab)

Do I need to settle my water bill to use the city programme?

Your water bill must be current, or you can pay in full or enter a payment agreement. Any violations from the Philadelphia Water Department or other city agencies must be addressed first. If water is backing up right now, call the PWD hotline. City of Philadelphia (source, opens in a new tab)

Does a restoration contractor in Pennsylvania have to be registered?

Generally yes. The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act requires anyone offering or doing home improvements in the state to register with the Office of Attorney General. Small exceptions exist for contractors with very little yearly work and for large retailers. Ask to see the registration number before you sign. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (source, opens in a new tab)

When can I clean up mould myself?

The EPA says that if the mouldy area is less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3 ft by 3 ft patch, you can usually handle the cleanup yourself. For larger areas or heavy water damage, it points to more detailed remediation guidance, so a professional is worth considering. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (source, opens in a new tab)

Other jobs and cities

Other jobs in Philadelphia

Water damage and mould remediation in other cities