Emergency
Storm Surge & Tidal Flooding St. Augustine, FL
Surge and tidal water rise from the ground up and carry salt and silt with them. Anything porous they soaked is treated as contaminated. Outside water that rose into the building is treated as contaminated, and porous material it reached is removed. Salt left behind in materials keeps pulling water from the air, so it is cleaned out with the rest.
Wet days later? That is worth a call
Often needed alongside
- Emergency Water Extraction
Standing water removed before it soaks into slab, block and flooring - the first step after any failure, and the one humid air makes urgent.
- Wind-Driven Rain Intrusion
Wind pushes rain sideways through window frames, stucco and the base of the wall. The roof can hold and the house still take water.
- Sewer & Septic Backflow Cleanup
Heavy rain and a high water table can push sewage back through the lowest drain in the building. Clear or murky, it is handled as sewage.
Frequently asked questions
Why does salt water reach Davis Shores streets when it is not raining?
The city estimates that it sees tidal flooding 12 to 16 times a year. Davis Shores drains through about 21 outfalls into the Matanzas River or Salt Run, and on a high enough tide sea water enters those pipes, backs up and comes out into the streets. Driveways and garage slabs at street level are the first parts of a house it reaches.
What does tidal water leave behind in a St. Augustine garage?
Salt. When sea water from a tidal flood reaches a garage slab or driveway and then drains away, the salt stays in the concrete. Salt draws water out of humid air, so that concrete stays damp for weeks, and anything stored on it or against it takes up the moisture. Rinsing the slab with fresh water after the tide drops carries most of the salt out.
How does a summer power cut affect a closed St. Augustine house?
One St. Augustine home in seven is held for seasonal use. When the power fails, the cooling stops, and some systems do not start again on their own when it returns. From then on the closed house takes in the outdoor humidity with nothing removing it, and drywall, cabinets and fabric take it up. A thermostat that restarts the system by itself prevents this.
St. Augustine's own page carries them beside the local figures.