Water Damage, Mold and Restoration Companies in the New Orleans Area

What Makes New Orleans Different

Much of New Orleans sits below sea level, protected by levees and drained by pumps. A heavy summer downpour can fill streets faster than the drains can clear them, and water can reach low homes and cars within an hour. Floodwater from outside is always contaminated. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood, so a separate flood policy is worth having here.

Heat and humidity last most of the year, and mold grows fast. Wet drywall, insulation and carpet pad can start to grow mold within 24 to 48 hours, so drying has to start the same day. Many older homes are raised on piers, and water and moisture under the floor feed mold and wood rot. Termites are common too, and they love damp wood.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Ida in 2021 both left long power outages, and outages stop air conditioning, dehumidifiers and pumps all at once. Never run a generator indoors or near a window, because carbon monoxide kills quietly. Much of the older housing was built before 1978, so test for lead paint before sanding or demolition.