TL;DR: For water damage restoration in Bakersfield, CA, call ProRestoration Services at (661) 393-9306. They are IICRC-certified, available 24/7, and licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB #960566). If water is still flowing, stop it first. If there is an electrical or gas hazard, call 911. Once the source is controlled, the restoration crew handles everything from extraction through the final rebuild.
You just walked into standing water. Maybe it is the slab leak that Bakersfield’s hard water and slab-on-grade construction make so common in neighborhoods like Oleander and Westchester. Maybe an aging evaporative cooler finally gave out and soaked your attic. Either way, your first question is the right one: who do I call, and in what order? Here is the answer.
Who Should I Call First for Water Damage in Bakersfield?
For water damage restoration in Bakersfield, call ProRestoration Services at (661) 393-9306. They are available 24/7, IICRC-certified, EPA Lead-Safe certified, and hold CSLB license #960566. One call connects you to extraction, drying, and full reconstruction handled by the same team. That matters when every hour of standing water drives up the repair bill.
Before that call, though, run through a 60-second safety check:
- Is water still flowing? If a supply line, appliance hose, or pipe is still running, shut off the main water valve first. If you cannot locate or reach it, call a plumber before the restoration crew arrives.
- Is there an electrical hazard? Standing water near an outlet, panel, or appliance is a 911 situation. Do not wade in. Turn off the breaker from a dry location if you can reach it safely.
- Is there a gas smell? Leave immediately and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
Once those boxes are clear, the restoration call goes out.
Who Else Might I Need to Call, and When?
Most water damage calls involve more than one type of professional. Knowing who handles what keeps you from wasting time.
A licensed plumber handles the source of the water: a burst pipe, a failed water heater, a slab leak. If the supply line is still active and you cannot shut it off yourself, a plumber comes first. ProRestoration’s sister company, All Pro Plumbing, handles exactly this. One call does it all: the plumbing repair and the water damage restoration are handled by the same coordinated team, no second contractor required.
Your insurance company comes after mitigation starts, not before. Calling the insurer before a crew is on-site delays drying and can worsen the claim. The right sequence: stop the water, call restoration, document the damage, then notify your insurer. A restoration company that handles insurance documentation (scope of loss, moisture readings, photo logs) makes the claims process significantly smoother. See the plain-English breakdown of what homeowners policies typically cover if you are unsure what your policy includes.
911 or your utility company if there is a structural collapse risk, a gas leak, or live electrical exposure. Restoration crews are trained for hazardous environments, but active life-safety emergencies go to emergency services first.
Your property manager or HOA if the loss originated in a shared space (roof, common-area plumbing, neighboring unit). Document everything before anyone starts cleanup so liability stays clear.
What Happens When You Call a Restoration Company?
The first phone call takes about five minutes. Have the following ready: your address, a description of what happened (burst pipe, appliance leak, flooding, sewage backup), roughly how much area is affected, and whether the water source is controlled. The dispatcher will ask about access and any safety concerns.
When the crew arrives, here is the sequence:
1. Assessment and moisture mapping. Technicians use thermal imaging cameras and calibrated moisture meters to find water behind walls, under flooring, and inside ceiling cavities. In Bakersfield’s slab-on-grade homes, slab leaks often push water up through flooring in ways that are not visible to the eye. The IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration governs how this assessment is documented.
2. Water classification. Not all water is the same. Category 1 (clean water from a supply line) carries different handling requirements than Category 2 (gray water from an appliance or washing machine) or Category 3 (black water from a sewage backup or floodwater). The category determines PPE, disposal protocols, and what materials can be dried in place versus removed.
3. Extraction. Truck-mounted or portable extractors pull standing water from floors, carpet, and subfloor. This step happens as fast as possible because the EPA notes that mold can begin developing within 24 to 48 hours of a moisture event.
4. Structural drying. High-capacity LGR dehumidifiers and axial air movers are placed according to a drying plan. In Bakersfield’s dry summer climate, outdoor air can assist drying; in winter tule fog conditions, mechanical drying carries more of the load. Daily moisture readings track progress against the drying goal.
5. Documentation for your insurer. A written scope of loss, moisture logs, and photo documentation are compiled throughout. This is the paperwork that protects your claim. If you want to understand what adjusters look for, the storm damage insurance claim checklist covers the documentation basics.
6. Reconstruction. Once the structure meets dry standard, repairs begin: drywall, flooring, cabinetry, paint. Having one company handle both mitigation and reconstruction eliminates the handoff gap where claims sometimes stall.
For a detailed look at how long each phase takes, see how long water damage restoration actually takes.
What Should I Do While I Wait for the Crew?
A few actions in the first 30 minutes reduce damage significantly.
- Remove small rugs and portable furniture from wet areas if it is safe to do so. Dye from rugs bleeds into flooring fast.
- Do not run a household fan over standing water. Fans spread moisture into unaffected areas and can push Category 2 or 3 contaminants into the air.
- Take photos and short video of everything before moving anything. Walk the perimeter, open cabinets, check adjacent rooms. Your insurer will want this documentation.
- Do not use a shop vac on sewage-contaminated water without proper PPE. Category 3 water carries pathogens.
- If the loss is from a burst pipe, save the failed section if a plumber removes it. It may be relevant to a warranty or subrogation claim.
For a step-by-step checklist, the burst pipe emergency guide covers the first hour in detail.
About ProRestoration Services
ProRestoration Services is an IICRC-certified, EPA Lead-Safe certified restoration contractor serving Bakersfield, CA and surrounding Kern County communities (CSLB license #960566). Their crews handle water damage restoration, flood damage, burst pipe repair, appliance leak cleanup, sewage cleanup, mold remediation, fire and smoke damage restoration, storm damage, carpet cleaning, and full reconstruction. ProRestoration operates alongside sister company All Pro Plumbing so that plumbing repairs and water damage mitigation are coordinated from a single call. Reach them at (661) 393-9306, available 24/7.