In short: water damage restoration in Fort Myers means removing standing water, cutting out wet material that cannot be saved, and running air movers and dehumidifiers until moisture readings in the walls and floors return to normal, usually three to five days for one room. A one-room clean-water leak typically costs $1,500–$3,500, which covers setting up and running fans and dehumidifiers for several days; per-square-foot drying rates only apply on larger wet areas. Starting quickly is what keeps it from turning into a mold job.
The first two days matter most
Drywall, baseboard, carpet pad and the bottom plate of a wood-framed wall all soak up water quickly and give it back slowly. In a Lee County summer, with indoor humidity already high, that wet material can start growing mold in a day or two. So the priority order is always the same: stop the water, get it out, get air moving, and only then worry about what needs replacing. If water is still coming in, shut off the main valve or the breaker to the affected circuit, and call us at (239) 441-3886.
What kind of water it was decides what stays
Restorers sort water into three categories, and the category, more than the depth, decides what can be dried and what has to be thrown away.
- Clean water from a supply line, a water heater or a refrigerator line. Caught early, most materials can be dried in place.
- Gray water from a dishwasher, washing machine or an overflowing AC drain pan. Carpet pad usually goes; walls and floors are cleaned before drying.
- Flood and surge water from rising water, storm surge or a sewer backup. Anything porous it touched, drywall included, is cut out to above the water line and the cavity is cleaned before drying.
Clean water left sitting for a few days moves up a category, which is another reason not to wait.
How a dry-out runs
- Readings and photos. We map how far the water traveled with moisture meters and a thermal camera, often well past the visible stain, and photograph everything before it is touched.
- Extraction. Standing water is pulled out of floors and carpet with truck-mounted or portable extractors.
- Controlled removal. Baseboards come off, and drywall is cut in a straight line above the wet zone so the cavity can breathe. Wet insulation goes.
- Drying equipment. Air movers along the walls and dehumidifiers sized to the room. In many Fort Myers homes the slab holds water too, so floor readings are watched as closely as the walls.
- Daily checks. We take readings at the same marked points every day and adjust the equipment until each one reaches its dry target, then remove it.
After a hurricane or surge flood
Hurricane Ian pushed storm surge across Fort Myers Beach, into Iona and into low streets along the river in 2022, and many homes sat wet for days with no power. Surge water is salty and dirty, it soaks the bottom of every wall it reaches, and it leaves salt in block and drywall that pulls moisture back in from humid air. After a storm we cut walls well above the water line, clean the cavities, and dry with generators when the grid is down. We also tell you plainly when a room is past drying and needs to be opened up for mold remediation instead.
Working with your insurance
Sudden water damage, such as a burst pipe, is commonly covered by Florida homeowners policies; flood water usually falls under a separate flood policy, and long, slow leaks are often excluded. We cannot tell you what your policy pays, but we can make sure your claim is documented: dated photos, a moisture map, a drying log with daily readings and an itemized scope of what was removed.
What it costs
Drying is priced on the wet area and the category of water, plus the days the equipment runs. These are planning figures, not quotes; your written estimate follows the visit.
| Job | Estimate | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Clean-water leak, one room | $1,500–$3,500 | Extraction, wet baseboard and drywall removed, three to five days of drying equipment |
| Drying, clean water | $3–$4 per sq ft | Supply-line and appliance leaks on larger wet areas; one room has a minimum (see above) |
| Drying, gray water | $4–$7 per sq ft | Dishwasher, washer or AC overflow water with some contamination |
| Drying, flood or surge water | $7–$10 per sq ft | Category 3 water: porous materials removed, cleaning before drying |
| Structural drying, several rooms | $8,000–$15,000 | Large losses with framing and subfloor dried in place |
These ranges are estimates gathered from Florida restoration pricing. Rebuilding drywall, flooring and cabinets afterwards is priced separately. See the full Fort Myers mold remediation cost guide for remediation and testing figures.
Water damage questions
How fast does mold start after water damage?
Growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours on wet drywall, carpet pad and wood, sooner in a closed-up Florida house in summer. That is why the first job is getting the water out and the air moving, even before the insurance paperwork is settled.
Do I have to wait for my adjuster before you start?
No. Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to stop the damage getting worse. We photograph and measure everything before anything is removed, so your adjuster can see the loss as it was.
Can carpet and drywall be dried, or do they have to go?
After a clean supply-line leak caught early, carpet and drywall can often be dried in place. After flood or storm surge water, porous materials it touched have to come out, because that water carries sewage and soil.
Not sure whether a stain is old water or something growing? Start with a moisture and mold inspection. Working in Cape Coral? See our Cape Coral page.
Last updated October 8, 2026