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Water damage and mould remediation in Pittsburgh

Restoration firms for drying and mould removal.

17 pros in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh's water problems start with its rivers. In March 1936 the Allegheny and Monongahela floods reached close to 100,000 buildings, and in January 1996 the two rivers crested within 5 hours of each other, flooding parts of downtown. Basements here also take in sewage, and that changes who pays and who you call first. Pittsburgh Water says a broken or clogged sewer lateral is the property owner's responsibility, and so is cleanup after a storm backup. It also advises staying out of a contaminated basement until professionals assess it. When you hire for drying out or mould removal, ask whether the firm handles sewage-contaminated spaces, and check that a contractor doing home improvement work is registered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, which says registration is not an endorsement of skill. Ask for a written scope, and check your policy first, because standard homeowner's policies do not cover flood damage.

Source: National Weather Service (source, opens in a new tab)

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What to know in Pittsburgh

  • NWS says that in the January 1996 snowmelt floods the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers crested within 5 hours of each other in the Pittsburgh area. This brought major flooding to parts of downtown, including Point State Park.

    National Weather Service (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 Pittsburgh

Who is responsible for a sewage backup in my Pittsburgh basement?

It depends on where the break or clog is. Pittsburgh Water says it is responsible for a broken or clogged sewer main, while the property owner is responsible for a broken or clogged sewer lateral. The owner also handles cleanup after a heavy-rain backup that drains once the storm ends. Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (source, opens in a new tab)

What should I do if I see sewage pooling in my home?

Stay away from the contaminated area until professionals can assess the damage, since sewage can contaminate the space, often the basement. Pittsburgh Water asks residents to call its 24/7 Emergency Dispatch at 412-255-2423 and press 1. Then contact a restoration firm experienced with sewage. Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (source, opens in a new tab)

Does a contractor need to be registered in Pennsylvania?

Under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, contractors who perform a set yearly volume of home improvements must register with the Attorney General's Office. Ask for the registration number. The Attorney General notes that registration is not an endorsement of competency or skill, so still compare references and written scopes. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (source, opens in a new tab)

Will my homeowner's insurance pay for flood damage?

Not usually. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department says standard homeowner's or renter's policies do not cover damage resulting from a flood. It also notes that over 40% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk areas. Read your policy before work starts, and ask your insurer what documentation it wants. Pennsylvania Insurance Department (source, opens in a new tab)

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