Property managers call us more than owners do here. Guest checks out, the cleaner walks in, and there's an inch of water across the tile from a supply line that let go Tuesday — and the unit's booked again Friday. West of Gulf Blvd on the crescent canal streets it's different work: '50s and '60s slab ranches behind seawalls, water pushing in low and dirty off the Intracoastal side. No crawlspace for it to drain into.
John's Pass is its own animal. Wood boardwalk over open water with restaurants stacked on it, so we're up the Tom Stuart Causeway for ice machine lines and roof leaks over occupied dining rooms. After Helene, roughly 1,200 permits were pulled here — more than half only to remove drywall. A lot of that stock is still sitting open.
Turnovers, canals and the John's Pass boardwalk
Guest checks in Friday. Can you dry it without gutting it?
Sometimes. Early enough, with clean water, we can often dry the assembly in place rather than cut it. Canal water is another category — that material comes out.
Is flood water from the Intracoastal treated differently than a burst pipe?
Yes. Bay water carries whatever's in the canal, so porous material is removed and the cavity cleaned before drying. A clean pipe break means far less demolition.