Emergency Water Extraction & Structural Drying Services

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  • 24/7 Emergency Water Removal 
  • Advanced Water Inspection, Extraction, and Drying Equipment 
  • Residential and Commercial Water Damage Restoration Near You

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SERVPRO of Novato / San Rafael / Sausalito
Our Google Reviews
(415) 479-2900
4.7
(24 reviews)

Trusted Water Extraction and Structural Drying Specialists

From a small pipe leak to catastrophic flooding, water can damage the foundation, floors, and walls of your home or business, not to mention the belongings inside. And mold growth can begin in a couple days.   

There’s not a minute to lose. Quick response can keep a bad, potentially hazardous situation from getting worse. At SERVPRO, water extraction (also known as water removal) is a key part of our water damage restoration process. Using powerful pumps and truck-mounted vacuum units, we can quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.  

From there, structural drying begins. Using the latest drying systems, from targeted heat to controlled airflow, we’ll make sure your property is dried to the industry standard to maintain structural stability and avoid further damage.

Why Water Extraction and Structural Drying?

Water extraction is exactly what it sounds like: removing excess water from your home or business after a water emergency like a flood, leak, or backup. Structural drying removes any excess, hidden moisture that has been absorbed by structural components throughout the home.  Water extraction and structural drying are essential to:

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Prevent Mold Growth

Mold can start growing in just 24 to 48 hours. Once that growth begins, spores can spread quickly, leading to health risks and expensive cleanup and restoration.

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Minimize Structural Damage

Standing water can weaken the structural integrity of your home or business. This can make your floors, walls, and ceilings warp, deteriorate, and even collapse. Structural repairs can be extremely expensive and disruptive.

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Prevent Odors

Thoroughly drying your home after water damage will reduce the chances of unhealthy mold and mildew, along with the persistent musty smells that come with them. 

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Preserve Your Belongings

After a water-related event, your furniture, electronics, valuables, and important papers can be damaged or ruined. It’s important to get the contents of your home out of harm’s way.

A professional insurance agent or consultant in a gray blazer meeting with two clients across a glass desk in a modern office, reviewing documents and discussing coverage options.
A professional insurance agent or consultant in a gray blazer meeting with two clients across a glass desk in a modern office, reviewing documents and discussing coverage options.

SERVPRO Helps with the Insurance Claim Process  

At SERVPRO, we understand that property damage can be overwhelming. With decades of experience, SERVPRO can help document damage and provide information related to the services performed that can assist customers during the insurance claim process.    

When property damage occurs, a rapid response can help limit further damage and may reduce overall restoration costs.    

Groundwater flooding is usually covered by flood insurance, not a standard homeowners policy.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Don't just take it from us. Let our customers tell you about their SERVPRO experiences.
24 Reviews
4.7
Leave Us A Review
Linda Knauer
16 days ago

One evening we returned home to find that someone had left the water running in our upstairs master bathroom tub.! The 4 bedrooms upstairs had almost 3 inches of water! It went through the ceilings, down to the main floor of our 3 story home!! A nightmare!! I called remediation folks in SF and Marin, but finally received a call back from Mr. Ivan Espinal, of Servpro. He was so calming, and so kind , that we breathed a sigh of relief. He told us not to worry, that they would take care of everything, and he would personally manage the restoration of our 5000 square ft home, and make it even better than before! Well, that’s exactly what he did!. We had 4 bedrooms upstairs, one on the main floor, beautiful big eat in kitchen, formal dining room with beautiful quarter sawn white oak paneling all around it, All the ceilings were soaked. It was “raining” in our dining room! Ivan had years of experience, wonderful references, and a calming, reassuring manner! He proceeded to do just what he promised. His men came on time every day, cleaned up after each workday, and were solidly qualified. Our home was taken down to the studs. The crew was so knowledgeable ! They took their lunch break in our garden and promptly got back to work. The renovation took several months and they took our input every step of the way.. They worked with our insurance company very well, and they delivered a home tha was even better than before. How fortunate we were! We would be happy to be a reference for Ivan and his team any day! And the home looked lovingly restored, not as if you could tell what was “new” and what was original. I highly recommend Ivan, his team, and Servpro! The office we worked with was located in Marin County. Sincerely LDK SF, CA We now live in Pasadena, but wish we were still in our beautiful San Francisco home

Nadine Greenwood
3 months ago

As a real estate agent, I have referred Servpro to my clients for years and have always received glowing feedback. However, I recently experienced a significant water intrusion at my own property and finally had the chance to see their team in action firsthand. I called Servpro for immediate remediation, and I was blown away when the crew arrived on-site within an hour. Daniel, the project manager, was incredibly proactive, getting his team started on the job the moment they stepped through the door. By the end of the day, Daniel had managed every single detail necessary to restore the space and, most importantly, prevent any further damage from occurring. Daniel is an exceptional communicator and a top-tier project manager. His efficiency and expertise turned a stressful situation into a manageable one. I cannot recommend him and his team highly enough!

Linda Howell
4 months ago

I had a very good experience because of Adria who managed the project

Beth Klugman
4 months ago

Adrea and Martin serviced our house for a pipe burst. We had water clean up, mold and then reconstruction of all that had to be removed. They were very communicative and kept me informed about the process and getting everything done. Adrea ran the entire project and worked with our insurance team and outside contractors to make sure everything was done on time and completely. Martin ran prepping and clean up projects. He could not have been easier to work with. He was always on time, kind and respectful of our house. Thank you Adrea and Martin!!!!

Cory Boyan
4 months ago

ServPro cleaned up my house after we had a fire in the attic. Water from the firefighters had gotten down into the walls and even under some of the flooring. The ServPro team, led by Jean Espinal, carefully removed the damaged material, dried out all the water, and performed mold mitigation. They put the contents of three rooms into storage to facilitate this work and the subsequent rebuild. They did such a good job of removing the LVP floor that we were able to re-use virtually all of the existing flooring to put the floor back together. And every item that went into storage came back - I didn’t lose a single thing, including small items from desks and tables. The care and respect that they showed for my house and belongings was commendable. And the communication was excellent - I always knew what was happening and Jean was easy to reach by telephone. I would recommend Jean’s team to anybody in a similar situation..

Jean Poland
about 1 year ago

Adrea was simply great. I was very nervous then this happened and he was so kind. He gave me his card and told me to call him if I had any questions. This was very comforting to me, as I had someone to turn to. He always, always answered my questions, returned phonecalls promptly and even came to see in person my problem when it was needed (rug). You have a fantastic employee in Adrea and I would highly recommend him to any friend that needed your services.

Scott Chinn
about 1 year ago

We had ServPro come in after we had water damage from our fire sprinkler system. We contacted ServPro and they were at our house within a couple of hours of calling. Alicia and her team explained what they would d. They came with all of their equipment and immediately started setting things up and determining what was damaged. They did a great job with the demolition and cleanup. They laid down plastic sheeting/heavy paper to protect floors and put up barriers to keep dust/debris out of the unaffected areas. They worked with us to time follow up visits to ensure progress was being made on the drying. And the cleanup, once things were completed was fast. Would highly recommend ServPro.

Pete O'Dea
over 1 year ago

Very professional and responsive team. Our project manager , Adrea Vui, was exceptionally conscientious

Christopher Statton
over 1 year ago

Jean and his crew expertly and quickly fixed water damage in my kitchen. Friendly, highly skilled, and say to work with, and great work.

SERVPRO Water Extraction & Structural Drying Knowledge Center

What equipment does SERVPRO use for water extraction?

When it comes to water extraction, SERVPRO technicians have both the very latest and the tried-and-true at their disposal: 

  • Moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture saturation. 
  • Infrared cameras find “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings. 
  • Submersible and gas-powered pumps are used for continuous pumping of high-level water. 
  • Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal. 
After water damage, how long does it take for mold to grow?

It’s important to begin water extraction and drying immediately, since mold growth can begin just 24-48 hours after water was introduced to your home.

What’s a sump pump and what does it do?

A sump pump is a mechanical pump, often placed in a basement or crawlspace, to remove water as it accumulates in a sump pit. As the water level rises, it trips a float switch, turns on the pump, and sends the excess water away from the structure. Sump pumps help keep your basement dry and protect your home from water damage.

How long does water extraction take?

In most residential cases, water extraction takes one to three days. It depends on factors such as: 

  • The water source 
  • The amount of water 
  • How much of the home is affected 
  • Affected materials in the home like carpet, furniture, and drywall
What drying equipment does SERVPRO use?

SERVPRO technicians use industrial-grade dehumidifiers to help prevent secondary water damage like swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture. They use high-speed air movers to create airflow across walls, carpets, pads, and furniture, in order to accelerate the evaporation of moisture. Moisture mapping is also used to locate hidden areas that need drying. 

After water removal, how long does it take to dry out a home?

The drying process begins after standing water is removed. Drying typically takes three days to a week. But it can take longer, depending on:  

  • Type of material: wood, drywall, and other porous materials soak up more moisture and take longer to dry.  
  • Humidity levels: the higher the humidity, the longer the drying time.  
  • Saturation level: If the home is heavily saturated, drying will take longer (giving mold a chance to grow).  
Is structural drying needed after a small leak?

The amount of water you see may not be the entire picture. What’s important is not just the amount, but where the water went. A small amount of water that enters a wall, cabinetry, or flooring is often harder to detect and completely dry. Over time, that small amount of moisture can weaken the supporting materials in your home.

Should I open my windows to help with structural drying?

When the outside air is too humid, or the property needs to be kept secure, it’s best to keep the windows closed. In the case of a more humid area, such as Florida, opening windows might increase the drying time. 

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*#1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based on Commercial and Residential Attitude & Usage Tracking studies. Polling 808 commercial business decision-makers and 1,046 homeowner decision-makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Studies conducted by C&R Research: April 2024 and Decision Analyst: April 2024
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