What Sacramento & East Bay Homeowners Really Need to Know
When water damage, storm damage, or a burst pipe hits your home in Sacramento, Roseville, Elk Grove, Oakland, Walnut Creek, or anywhere in the East Bay, most homeowners have the same reaction:
“Do I just need someone to stop the damage or am I looking at a full rebuild?”
It’s a fair question. And the answer matters, because knowing what phase you’re in helps you understand what’s happening, what insurance usually covers, and what needs to happen next.
In most cases, property damage happens in two stages:
- Emergency response (also called water damage mitigation)
- Full restoration and rebuilding
At Lawton Construction & Restoration, we help homeowners across Sacramento and the East Bay through both phases — from emergency water removal to complete water restoration and repairs — so you don’t have to juggle multiple companies during an already stressful situation.
Phase 1: Emergency Response (Mitigation)
Fast Action to Stop Water Damage From Spreading
Emergency response is the urgent first step after water or storm damage. This phase is all about stopping the damage before it gets worse.
In Sacramento and East Bay homes, this usually needs to happen within the first 24–72 hours.
What Emergency Response Typically Includes:
- Shutting off the water or stopping the source of the leak
- Emergency water removal using professional extraction equipment
- Drying floors, walls, and air with high-powered fans and dehumidifiers
- Installing roof tarps or boarding up windows after storm damage
- Removing soaked carpet, drywall, or insulation before mold starts
- Applying antimicrobial treatments to reduce mold and bacterial growth
- Packing out and storing furniture or belongings if needed
This work is often referred to as emergency water damage restoration, and it’s critical for protecting both your home and your insurance claim.
Your Home Has Water Damage, What Happens Next?
In homes across Sacramento and the East Bay, water damage doesn’t stay small for long. Moisture can soak into drywall, flooring, and cabinets quickly — and once that happens, repairs get more expensive.
Mold can begin growing in as little as 24–48 hours, especially in warmer homes in Northern California. Acting fast helps limit how far the damage spreads, keeps repair costs down, and protects the belongings you care about most.
Insurance companies typically cover emergency response because stopping damage early prevents bigger losses later. Waiting too long can turn a manageable repair into a much larger restoration project.
Phase 2: Full Restoration
Complete Water Restoration and Home Repairs
Once your home is dry and safe, confirmed with moisture readings, the next phase begins: full restoration.
This is where a licensed water restoration company repairs and rebuilds what was damaged, so your home looks and functions the way it did before.
Full Restoration Commonly Includes:
- Replacing drywall, flooring, cabinets, and trim
- Repairing framing, subfloors, or roof decking
- Fixing plumbing, electrical, or HVAC systems impacted by water
- Painting, texture matching, and finish work
- Restoring or replacing damaged personal property
- Final cleanup and walkthrough
As a licensed general contractor and restoration company, Lawton handles both emergency water restoration and full-service reconstruction, from start to finish. These images show the before-and-after: roof tarping and dryout in the emergency phase, then the restoration phase with new framing, fresh paint, and restored rooms.
Your Home Has Water Damage, What Happens Next?
| What it Means | Emergency Response | Full Restoration |
| Main Goal | Stop Water Damage Fast | Repair and Rebuild |
| When It Happens | First 24-72 Hours | After the Dryout is Complete |
| Typical Work | Water Removal, Drying, Tarping | Drywall, Flooring, Painting, and more depending on the extent of the damage |
| Insurance Coverage | Typically Covered Under Mitigation (coverage varies by policy) | Covered Under Dwelling/Contents (coverage varies by policy) |
| Who Does The Work | Restoration Technicians | Licensed Contractor |
If water damage is caught early, an emergency response may be enough.
Larger losses, like major flooding, storm damage, or burst pipes, almost always require full water restoration as well.
Why Using One Local Restoration Company Makes Life Easier
Homeowners in Sacramento and the East Bay often tell us the same thing: the hardest part isn’t the damage, it’s managing multiple contractors.
When one trusted restoration company handles everything:
- There are fewer delays
- Communication with your insurance adjuster is smoother
- Repairs happen in the correct order
We work directly with insurance carriers, provide detailed documentation, and follow industry standards every step of the way.
Need Emergency Water Damage Restoration Right Now?
If you’re dealing with water damage, storm damage, or a burst pipe in Sacramento or the East Bay, don’t wait. Even a few hours can lead to higher repair costs and more damage.
Call Lawton Construction & Restoration 24/7 at (866) 990-5150 or email us at: help@lawtoncr.com
We’re local. We’re family-owned.
And we’re here to get your home safe, dry, and fully restored!
