Water Damage Restoration in Omaha

What to do right now

If water is actively coming in, your first job is to slow it down before anything else.

• Stop the water if you can. If you know where your main shutoff is, turn it off. If you can't find it or can't reach it, M.U.D.'s 24/7 water emergency line is 402-554-7777.
• Deal with the electricity before you step into standing water. OPPD says that if there is standing water in your home, you should have OPPD or a licensed electrician remove the electric meter. That is the only way to be sure the power is completely cut off. Do not assume your circuit breaker will protect you. If it was damaged by water, it will not trip.
• Take photos and video of everything before you move or throw away anything. Nebraska's Department of Insurance says to take clear photos or video of the damage.
• Move what you can to a dry area, starting with items that are easy to carry and hard to replace.

Once those steps are done, the next step is getting a restoration company out to look at it.

Burst pipes and frozen pipes in Omaha winters

Omaha averages about 135 nights a year at or below freezing, which is a long season for pipes to be at risk. The coldest temperature on record here is 32 below zero, set in January 1884, and wind chills have hit 42 below as recently as December 2022 and 30 to 50 below in January 2024. A single hard overnight freeze can burst an outdoor faucet or the pipe behind it, according to M.U.D.

M.U.D. recommends letting heat reach pipes in outside walls and under cabinets, and running a slight trickle from a faucet where pipes have frozen before. Nebraska's Department of Insurance adds that opening cabinet doors under sinks can help.

When a pipe does burst, two different jobs follow. In Omaha, the homeowner owns and maintains the water service line from the house to the main. Repairs to that line require a master plumber licensed by your city and a M.U.D. permit. M.U.D. can shut the water off when a leaking service line is causing damage, and the outdoor curb stop is usually between the back of the curb and the property line. The IICRC, which publishes the industry standard for water damage restoration, is clear that finding and fixing the source of the water is the owner's responsibility, not the restorer's. The restoration company handles the water damage cleanup and drying. The leak itself may need a plumber.

Storms, sump failures and sewer backups

Heavy rain can overwhelm a basement quickly in this area. On May 21, 2024, three inches of rain fell in 45 minutes at 72nd and Dodge. Storms in late September and early October 2026 dropped up to 10 inches across parts of southeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa, and Omaha homeowners reported dirty water coming up through basement floor drains, tubs and toilets. After that event, the city's sewer maintenance division asked residents to call, and homeowners could file a damage claim with the Omaha city clerk.

If your basement took on water during a storm, sump pump failure, or a sewer backup through the floor drain, the situation can be more involved than a burst pipe. For a deeper look at those causes and what to do, see the flooded basement in Omaha page.

What a restoration company usually does

A restoration company may extract standing water, set up air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the structure, and remove materials that can't be saved. The industry sorts water into three categories, from clean supply-line water to grossly contaminated water like sewage or floodwater. Which category applies changes how the job is done and what has to go. Getting the space dry quickly matters: the EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours, in most cases mold won't grow.

Calling your insurance agent

Nebraska's Department of Insurance recommends contacting your agent or company as soon as possible, making temporary repairs to limit further damage, and keeping every receipt. Hold off on permanent repairs until your insurance company has had a chance to inspect or give approval.

Homeowners policies are generally written for sudden, accidental water damage like a burst pipe. Slow leaks and wear and tear are a common exclusion. Many policies also do not cover sewer and drain backups unless you added a water backup endorsement. Your policy decides what applies to your situation.

Nebraska's Department of Insurance also notes that you do not need to sign a post-loss assignment, which is a contract that hands a contractor control of your insurance claim. Ask any company whether it uses them.

Choosing a restoration company

Get multiple estimates, do not sign a contract right away, do not pay the full bill in advance, and get everything in writing. All contractors working in Nebraska must register with the Nebraska Department of Labor. You can search at dol.nebraska.gov or call 402-471-2239. Registration does not guarantee the quality of their work, but it is a basic check. If you signed a contract at your home and change your mind, Nebraska's Attorney General says you can cancel within three days.

For homeowners on the Council Bluffs side, Iowa requires contractors earning $2,000 or more a year to register with Iowa DIAL.

Frequently asked questions