& Repair Services in Atlanta
Response Time
5.0 Ratings based on 638 reviews - Local Experts, Local Reviews
If the water sat for more than a few days, the padding underneath is already finished, even if the surface fibers look salvageable. Water damage…
Call Now - 404-900-3852CALL US BEFORE CALLING YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY - Let us work directly with your insurance company to get your loss covered.
If the water sat for more than a few days, the padding underneath is already finished, even if the surface fibers look salvageable. Water damage restoration sorts what can be dried and cleaned from what has to be hauled away. Tidal Wave Response extracts standing water, pulls and disposes of saturated padding, and takes moisture readings in the subfloor before deciding whether the carpet can dry in place or needs to come out. Carpet that dries with contamination still in the backing grows mold under the surface within days. Keep reading to learn about water categories and what the drying process entails.
The source of the flood decides more about your carpet's fate than the amount of water does. Restoration crews sort every job into one of three categories, and each one comes with a different set of rules.?
A clean-water leak can turn gray or black after it sits for a while, so the clock is just as important as the source. Once bacteria multiply in the fibers, cleaning agents aren’t likely to restore the carpet to a safe condition.
Padding acts like a sponge, and that's precisely the problem when water hits the floor. The open-cell foam or fiber traps liquid against the subfloor and holds it there long after the carpet surface starts drying.
Crews pull out the padding on most flood jobs because drying it in place rarely works. The material is sandwiched between the carpet and the subfloor, so air movers struggle to reach it. Moisture can stay locked inside for days. Bacteria and mold spores colonize that damp foam fast, and the smell settles into the fibers above it.
Replacement padding costs a fraction of what carpet does, and runs a dollar or two per square foot. Paying to salvage soaked padding gambles the far more expensive carpet on top of it. Most restoration companies write padding off the moment water touches it and focus their drying effort on the carpet and subfloor instead.
Hi. I don’t know where to start. John and Tidal wave his company were and still are a blessing from my Lord. One morning in January of this year I went down stairs and stepped in a puddle of water it was flooded. I also passed out. This was the second one in less than a year. I stood there for a minute and just cried. All I could think of was my insurance company may not take care of it a second time even if it was for a different leak. The last claim they paid out $23,000 for…
John Mayer, Principal of Tidal Wave Response, and his project management team, lead by Colin Galubinski, has completed the restoration of my home in record time. The work included, but was not limited to the following: 1) Professional water leak detection 2) Professional plumbing that removed the concrete slab and backfill material, found and repaired the PEX cold water pipe 3) Backfilled and placed concrete to finish grade 4) Packed the furniture to storage. Restored the furniture without incident nor damage. 5) Dehumidified and removed the damaged carpet and hardwoods. 6) Cleaned the concrete surface and installed the new hardwoods.…
I have worked in sales and also have experience in launching my own business. It is rare that you find a company that genuinely has your best interest in mind. Not only was John helpful outside of his business’ expertise, but he sent Chris to do a *free* evaluation of our water damage. John and Chris were both genuine and personable. They cared about what our situation was and they weren’t looking to get any sort of “fee” for their time. These are the kind of people you trust to handle big, catastrophic water damage to. I have previously had…
While others might categorize John as a fast talker, but on the other hand. I saw a man that's passionate about his business and willing to help others elevate their present situation. In early December 2022, our laundry room floor and wall got water damaged due to leakage from the hotline pipe, and other rooms got impacted due to water spreading. So, I reached out to John and he assured me they'll do everything within their power to get our house done before Christmas day. Boy was he right! John and the tidalwave response team were professional, helpful and got…
We did not plan to renovate our terrace level but when the hot water heater leaked and flooded the entire area, Tidal Wave was recommended to us by the plumber who installed the new hot water heater. John, the owner was at our house the same evening and mitigation started early the next morning. The crew professionally removed wet drywall, flooring, and baseboard. Fans and dehumidifiers ran for several days and then the fun began. With Colin's help we were able to choose updated flooring, repaint a color of our choice, and new trim was installed. Everything was completed professionally.…
Wow incredible company! I had a water damage that destroyed my entire main level. John and his team are very quick and efficient. When I was looking on google, tidal wave response was the only water restoration company with a 5 star review. Highly recommended using tidal wave response!!
I had a flood in my downstairs living room. It was devastating. John with Tidal wave was very professional. He had his team show up immediately to get the job done. Great work Tidal Wave. I'm definitely going to refer you to others.
Thank Goodness !!! Johnny on the spot! We had a pipe ruptured in the ceiling and we were looking for a 5 Star Rated Water Restoration company . Johnny came out with a Thermal Camera and found the pipe spraying behind the wall. I wish I would have called him sooner . My wood floors were so damaged by the water, they all will need to be replaced. We highly recommended Johnny with Tidal Wave. Very knowledgeable and even helped us start a claim with our insurance ..
Had a shaky start with this particular project but I must say the owner took charge and corrected all the remaining issues. I will say that this particular job was the absolute worst I have taken on in 45 yrs. My hat is off to Mike and his crew and Allan was superb in making sure everything was done correctly. Thank you for your follow-up on this project guys. And Allan thank you especially for your thoroughness in making sure it was completed correctly.
Unfortunately, my water heater was old, cracked, and leaking water onto the supported area in my garage. I needed to replace the water heater with a new one, but the plumber told me that in order to meet the city code, I would have to handle the water damage first. I called out tidal wave (who I’ve worked with before), and they came out the very next day to cut out the affected area and treat for mold. This is my second issue with water in my house and tidal wave has taken care of both issues. They are fast,…
Mold needs moisture, a food source, and time. A flooded carpet gives it all three. Spores land on damp fibers and begin colonizing within 24 to 48 hours, which sets the deadline for everything.
The window shrinks in a warm, humid house. Carpet backing and drywall will feed mold with cellulose. A floor that’s left wet past two days grows visible colonies and releases spores into the air you breathe. This is why water removal has to start the same day the flooding does instead of the following morning.
Waiting past the 48-hour mark can change the whole job. What began as a dry-in-place carpet with new padding becomes a full tear-out with subfloor treatment and antimicrobial spraying. Immediate water removal keeps the repair small and the bill low, while a delayed response drives them both up.
Carpet that feels dry on the top can hide saturation underneath. Technicians use pin meters and infrared cameras to measure moisture in the subfloor, the tack strip, and the wall base before they claim a surface is dry.
These readings tell the crew when to stop running equipment. A carpet that appears dry on the surface but holds 40 percent moisture in the subfloor needs more drying time.
Carpet soaked with clean water can dry where it lies if the crew moves quickly and sets up the right equipment. The process pairs high-velocity air movers with dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of the fibers and back off the subfloor.
Air movers push a sheet of air across the carpet surface and, on some jobs, underneath it through a lifted corner. The floating technique separates the carpet from the pad space and dries both sides at once. Dehumidifiers then capture the evaporated water so it doesn't resettle into drywall or return to the floor.
A typical dry-in-place job runs for three to five days, with equipment operating around the clock. Crews check moisture readings each day and reposition the air movers to target the slowest-drying spots. Successful water damage restoration on a clean-water flood can save the carpet, the subfloor, and most of your repair budget.
Some carpet can't be rescued no matter how fast the crew arrives. Knowing the signs saves you from paying to dry something that belongs in a dumpster. Delamination happens when the backing separates from the fibers and leaves ripples and bubbles that never lie flat again. Water breaks down the latex glue holding the layers together.
Black water contact ends the discussion. Sewage or stormwater soaks bacteria into the backing, and health codes call for removal. A lingering smell after full drying means that mold has already taken hold in the backing, so the carpet will have to be replaced even if it looks clean.
Most homeowner policies cover sudden, accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe or an appliance failure. Coverage usually extends to carpet, padding, and the labor to replace them. Gradual leaks and flood damage from outside the home may fall under different rules.
Document everything before the crew hauls anything away. Photograph the flooded carpet, save a padding sample, and keep the moisture readings and itemized invoice your restoration company provides. Filing a claim late or without proof of the damage can reduce your payout or void it, so start the paperwork the same day you call for water removal.
Call Tidal Wave Response today to get your carpet assessed before mold forces a full tear-out. We extract standing water, take moisture readings you can verify, and tell you honestly whether your carpet should dry in place or come out.
From emergency water extraction to full property recovery, Tidal Wave Response provides the fast, expert care you need. Browse our complete suite of 24/7 restoration services below to see how we can help today.
Explore all services
Why Every Minute Counts: The Anatomy of a 30-Minute Water Damage Response Water can spread through flooring, drywall, insulation, and belongings quickly, which means even a short delay can increase the amount of damage left behind. At Tidal Wave Response, we know that a 30-minute water damage response can make a major difference in how fast the source is controlled, standing water is removed, and vulnerable materials are protected. Keep reading to see what happens during the critical first minutes…
