Water damage restoration in Tallahassee (32313)
Burst pipe, leak or flooding? Call and we'll connect you with a local water damage pro.
Call (772) 555-0101Main Street Water Damage is a free referral service. We connect you with independent local service providers. We don't do the work ourselves.
Historic Capitol, TallahasseeTallahassee is the county seat of Leon County. It had 196,169 residents in the April 1, 2020 Census count, and the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 population estimate is 204,902.
The city began as a site for the territorial capital. Two appointees, Dr. William H. Simmons of St. Augustine and John Lee Williams of Pensacola, selected it after their October 1823 expedition. On March 4, 1824, Governor DuVal issued a proclamation naming it the legislature's new meeting site. The territorial legislature granted the first City Charter on December 9, 1825.
Census estimates for 2020-2024 show 85,311 households, with 2.16 persons per household. The owner-occupied housing rate is 40.6%, and the median owner-occupied home value is $294,400.
Common problems
- Burst or leaking pipes, including supply lines to sinks, toilets and washing machines
- Roof leaks after heavy rain or wind, often showing up first as a ceiling stain
- Water heater leaks and failures
- Flooding from storms, overwhelmed drainage or rising water
- Appliance leaks from dishwashers, refrigerators and ice makers
- Sewer and drain backups
Help with a specific problem
What homes in Tallahassee are up against
The City of Tallahassee says it receives an average of 59.2 inches of rain per year. Its wettest year on record was 1964, with 104 inches.
Tropical Storm Fay in 2008 produced 22.00 inches of rain at 5 E Tallahassee. An estimated 450 homes were damaged by floodwater county-wide, and 230 homes were isolated by floodwater in the Timber Lake subdivision. On April 10-11, 2024, a flash flood emergency was declared for Leon County and Tallahassee. A gauge at Holy Comforter Episcopal School recorded 9 inches of rain, rates reached 2 to 3 inches per hour, and crews made multiple water rescues overnight.
The City lists its flooding sources as drainage ditches, streams and lakes, including East Ditch, Saint Augustine Branch, Lake Jackson and Lake Munson. Its Stormwater Conveyance Maintenance Program removes obstructions such as debris and trees from drainage conveyances. Leon County's Stormwater Maintenance Division serves only the unincorporated areas.
Storms that hit close to home
Recent hurricanes, oldest first:
- Hermine (September 2, 2016): landfall just east of St. Marks, maximum sustained winds near 80 mph. In Tallahassee, the FSU WeatherSTEM station at Doak Campbell Stadium recorded a 64 mph gust, and about 80% of customers lost power.
- Michael (October 10, 2018): NHC lists a peak gust of 62 knots, 41 knots sustained wind and 3.34 inches of total rain at the Tallahassee airport station (KTLH).
- Idalia (August 30, 2023): landfall near Keaton Beach, 125 mph winds. In Leon County, 54,405 customers (35%) lost power. Major damage hit 3 homes, minor damage 18, and 6 others were affected.
- Helene (September 26, 2024): landfall about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, 140 mph winds. Power was out at peak for roughly 53,000 City of Tallahassee Utilities and 35,000 Talquin Electric customers in Leon County. Leon County reported 3 residential properties destroyed, 27 with major damage, 47 with minor damage and 56 affected.
In the news
- Hurricane scam: Florida sues company over millions in stolen insurance funds (opens in a new tab)
Florida's attorney general sued Evolve Construction in September 2026, alleging it took insurance money from Hurricane Ian and Milton victims, mostly seniors, for roof, mold and restoration work it never started. Verify licenses and avoid big upfront payments.
- Flood insurance will be mandatory for most Citizens policyholders by 2027 (opens in a new tab)
Citizens Property Insurance is phasing in a flood insurance requirement for its homeowners that reaches all remaining policies Jan. 1, 2027, even outside FEMA flood zones. Homeowners policies exclude rising water, and noncompliance can cost you your Citizens coverage.
- How to Sort Storm Debris for Pickup, Collection Begins Tuesday, Oct. 1 (opens in a new tab)
After Hurricane Helene, Tallahassee began curbside storm-debris pickup on Oct. 1, 2024, lifting its usual size limits. Piles must be sorted by type and kept off trees, poles, storm drains and roadways, which affects homeowners clearing damaged materials.
- Prepare Now for Potential Hurricane Impacts (opens in a new tab)
With Tallahassee under a hurricane watch ahead of Helene, the City warned of severe wind damage and flooding and pointed residents to sandbag locations and text or email alerts. Matters for protecting garage doors and keeping water out of homes.
- 2024 Report on Community Hazard Mitigation Strategy Now Available (opens in a new tab)
The City's yearly hazard mitigation report says flood insurance buyers in Tallahassee get a 25 percent premium discount through FEMA's Community Rating System, about $200,000 a year in total, tied to floodplain management and home-retrofit work.
Permits and rules
The City of Tallahassee says a permit is required for any alteration or repair with estimated labor and material cost above $7,500, or work that is structural. Roofing repairs over 100 square feet, new electrical circuits, new plumbing piping or fixtures, and mechanical equipment changes have separate permits.
In a flood zone, when repairs or renovations cost 50% or more of the structure's market value before the work starts, the City says the lowest finished floor must be raised to at least 2 feet above the base flood elevation.
Section 468.8414, Florida Statutes, directs the state to license applicants it certifies as qualified for mold assessment or mold remediation.
Under s. 627.70132, a property insurance claim is barred unless the insurer gets notice within 1 year after the date of loss (18 months for a supplemental claim). Under s. 627.7152, a policyholder may not assign post-loss benefits under a property insurance policy issued on or after January 1, 2023.
What affects the cost
Prices vary by provider and by how much was affected, so ask for an estimate. What usually affects the cost:
- How large an area got wet, and for how long
- Whether the water was clean, like a supply line, or contaminated, like sewage or floodwater
- How much material has to come out, such as drywall, flooring or insulation
- Whether mold has started to grow
- Drying equipment and how many days it runs
- Rebuilding after the drying is done
What happens when you call
- You call the number on this page. A short automated assistant asks two or three questions, such as what's wrong and your ZIP code, so we can find the right provider.
- We connect your call to an independent water damage provider who serves Tallahassee (32313).
- You talk with the provider directly about the problem, timing and price before any work starts.
Main Street Water Damage doesn't charge you for the referral. The provider sets their own prices and does the work. Calls are recorded for quality and billing.
Around Tallahassee
Leon County has no other municipalities to separate from Tallahassee, its only incorporated city. City and joint City-County planning documents name these areas:
- Placemaking study areas: Frenchtown, Miccosukee, Huntington, Market District, Midtown and the Monroe-Adams Corridor.
- Neighborhood plans: Apalachee Ridge Estates, Capital Cascades, Lake Bradford, Oak Ridge, Providence, South Monroe and West Pensacola.
- Neighborhood First initiative: Greater Bond, Griffin Heights, Frenchtown, Providence and South City.
- Comprehensive Plan planned areas: Southwood, Park Place and the Welaunee Toe, Heel and Arch, among others.
The City's 2024 Neighborhood Awards named Town and Country Neighborhood Association (large neighborhood of the year) and Sawgrass Plantation Homeowners Association (small neighborhood of the year) among its winners, along with the Jake Gaither and South City neighborhood associations.
Questions people ask
What should I do first?
If it's safe, shut off the water at the main valve and turn off power to wet areas. Move valuables out of the water and take photos of the damage.
How long does drying take?
It depends on how much got wet and what it's made of. Your provider measures moisture and can tell you how long their equipment needs to run.
Will insurance cover it?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden leaks are often treated differently from flooding or slow leaks. Check with your insurer and report the claim promptly.
Who will come to my home?
An independent water damage provider who serves Tallahassee (32313). Main Street Water Damage connects you; the provider does the work and sets the price.