What water extraction is
Extraction is the step where standing water and water held in carpet, pad and porous materials is physically removed. It's the fastest way to cut drying time: every gallon pulled out by a pump or extraction wand is a gallon the dehumidifiers don't have to pull out of the air later.
Crews use submersible pumps for deep water, truck-mounted or portable extractors for carpet and hard floors, and weighted extraction tools that squeeze water out of carpet and pad. Wet-dry shop vacuums help with small spills but can't pull water out of pad and subfloors the same way.
When extraction can't wait
- Water is standing on the floor or squishing out of carpet when you step on it
- Water has reached more than one room, or has gone through the floor into a ceiling below
- The water came from a toilet, a sewer line or outside (contaminated water)
- Hardwood is starting to cup or laminate is lifting at the seams
- The leak happened more than a few hours ago and the area is still wet
What happens on the visit
- The crew confirms the source is stopped and checks for electrical hazards.
- They photograph the area and take moisture readings to map how far the water spread, including into walls.
- Standing water is pumped or extracted, starting with the deepest areas.
- Carpet pad soaked with clean water is sometimes saved; pad exposed to sewage or floodwater is removed.
- Air movers and dehumidifiers are set up, and the crew explains how long drying should take and when they'll check readings again.
What you can do before the crew arrives
- Shut off the water at the main valve or at the fixture
- Turn off power to wet rooms at the breaker if the panel is in a dry spot
- Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the wet area
- Mop or towel up what you safely can, but don't use a household vacuum on water
- Take photos and video before anything is thrown away