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 South Durham
Our Google Reviews
(919) 596-1242
4.7
(195 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.
195 Reviews
4.7
Leave Us A Review
Darkarai Bryant
about 1 month ago

Servpro did a great job with our mitigation and repair. Caleb, Nelson and the whole crew were professional and responsive.

Vickie Spencer
about 2 months ago

Mr. Nelson provide outstanding service to NCCU Shepard Library during the library issues with a burst pipe situation. Him and his staff provide excellent customer service and was willing to work with us every step of the way. He and staff were very professional, very reliable, respectful and provided reassures during a somewhat stressful time. The cleanup was performed flawlessly. Thank you.

Sydney DiPaulo
2 months ago

Caleb Briley was very professional and communicative during an uncomfortable and difficult process. He went above and beyond too help me and my family. Would recommended working with him for any home repairs!

Anthony Triplett
3 months ago

Several Large trees fell on our house in June 2025. My first call was to my insurance company and the second call was to Servpro of South Durham. Servpro responded immediately to all our needs to repair/rebuild our property. My reconstruction project manager was Mike St. John and he responded in the most professional manner possible. Mike scheduled carpenters, roofers (metal roof and shingles), siding and gutter technicians, he scheduled masons and painters. This was a huge repair job me, but Mike St John and his Servpro of South Durham did a phenomenal job of returning our damaged house back into a wonderfully comfortable Home, and it was completed on schedule and in a reasonable amount of time. I highly recommend them for any reconstruction project that you might have. Thank you Mike and team! Anthony

Cynthia Brown
3 months ago

Can't say enough great things about Jared at Servepro! Professional, thorough, and courteous. Even found a wet spot on the ceiling that previous teams had missed. Thank you!

melanie davis
3 months ago

We had an issue at our job with a sewage backup. Caleb Briley was my project manager. He is absolutely awesome. He and his team , guided us through the process and provided accurate estimates.From the start of the project until renovation was completed, we were very pleased. We cannot thank you enough!

Scott Siegel
3 months ago

Terrific service and repair.Thanks so much to everyone but especially Mike, Gustavo and Gustavo Jr.

Rasheeda Hall
5 months ago

I worked with Mike on reconstruction after a leak upstairs of my home. He was knowledgeable and put us at ease. Work was done in the time frame that he estimated. Reliable service

Toby Major
6 months ago

We had a 2nd floor toilet overflow. The water damage ruin not only the bathroom and surrounding area, but also the 1st floor ceiling. When they say water travels, they are not kidding. Drywall was damaged and flooring was damage. Despite the unavoidable chaos of repairs, ServPro made the process easier. Everyone on the team was kind, considerate, professional, and efficient. I do not want to be in this situation again, but if I am, I would like Mike St. John and his team

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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