TL;DR: For water damage restoration in Gulfport, MS, call HomeLyft Restoration MS at (228) 284-5200. They are available 24/7, IICRC-certified in water damage restoration and structural drying, and licensed in Mississippi (RO 2728). If water is still flowing, stop the source first. If there’s an electrical or gas hazard, call 911. Then call HomeLyft to handle extraction, drying, and insurance documentation.
You have water where it shouldn’t be. Maybe a pipe let go overnight, a Gulf Coast storm pushed water under your doors, or your water heater finally gave out. Whatever happened, the next 30 minutes matter more than most people realize. Here is exactly who to call, in what order, and what to tell them.
Who Should I Call First for Water Damage in Gulfport, MS?
For water damage restoration in Gulfport, call HomeLyft Restoration MS at (228) 284-5200. They answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and hold IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD), the two credentials that matter most for getting your home properly dried.
But before you dial anyone, take 60 seconds to triage the situation. The right first call depends on what you are dealing with:
- Water is still flowing from a broken pipe or appliance: Shut off the main water supply first, then call HomeLyft. The restoration crew cannot do their job while the source is still active.
- Electrical panels, outlets, or appliances are submerged or sparking: Get everyone out and call 911. Do not enter a flooded space with live electrical risk.
- Gas smell is present: Leave immediately, call your gas utility (Mississippi Power or Entergy, depending on your area), then call 911. Gas and water damage sometimes occur together after storm events.
- Sewage is involved (toilet backup, sewer line failure): This is Category 3 water, also called black water. It carries pathogens. Call HomeLyft immediately, they handle sewage cleanup and will arrive in full PPE.
- Everything else: Call HomeLyft first at (228) 284-5200. They will walk you through immediate steps on the phone while the crew is en route.
What Happens When You Call HomeLyft Restoration MS?
When you call, a real person picks up, not a voicemail. The intake call typically takes 5 to 10 minutes. Have this information ready:
- Your address and the best way to access the property
- What happened (pipe burst, storm flooding, appliance failure, roof leak)
- How long the water has been present, this affects the damage category and drying plan
- Whether the water source is stopped
- Your insurance carrier and policy number if you have it handy (not required to start, but helpful)
Once the crew arrives, the first step is a moisture assessment using calibrated meters to map exactly where water has migrated, inside walls, under flooring, into subfloor framing. Water travels farther than it looks. A wet spot on the carpet often means wet drywall two rooms over.
From there, the crew deploys extraction equipment, industrial air movers, and LGR (low-grain refrigerant) dehumidifiers to begin the drying process according to the IICRC S500 standard, the industry benchmark for water damage restoration. Drying typically takes 3 to 5 days depending on materials affected and how long water was present before extraction began.
HomeLyft also handles the documentation your insurance adjuster will need: moisture readings, photo logs, a written scope of work, and drying logs. This paperwork is what protects your claim. See the does homeowners insurance cover water damage guide for a plain-English breakdown of what most policies actually pay.
When Should I Call a Plumber Instead?
A restoration company and a plumber do different jobs. Knowing which you need saves time.
Call a licensed plumber when:
- A pipe is still broken and needs repair before drying can start
- A water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine line needs replacement
- You need a pressure test to confirm no other lines are compromised
Call HomeLyft when:
- The water source is stopped and you need extraction and drying
- You have visible water damage to walls, flooring, or ceilings
- You suspect mold growth from a slow or older leak
- You need documentation for an insurance claim
In many cases, both calls happen. HomeLyft can coordinate with your plumber and often helps homeowners sequence the work so the plumber fixes the source and the restoration crew starts drying the same day. If the damage has been sitting long enough that mold is a concern, HomeLyft also holds an IICRC AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) certification and can assess and handle mold remediation as part of the same project.
Should I Call My Insurance Company Before the Restoration Crew?
No. Call the restoration crew first. Here is why.
Your insurance company will ask you what steps you took to mitigate further damage. If you waited to call a restoration company until after the adjuster visited, that delay can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Most homeowners policies require prompt mitigation, meaning you are expected to stop the damage from getting worse as quickly as possible.
Call HomeLyft first. Once mitigation is underway, call your insurer to open the claim. HomeLyft works directly with insurance carriers and will provide the adjuster with the moisture mapping, photo documentation, and written scope they need. You do not have to manage that process alone.
For a step-by-step guide on the first 24 hours, see what to do in the first 24 hours after water damage.
What If the Damage Happened in Long Beach, Biloxi, or Nearby?
HomeLyft Restoration MS serves the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast and surrounding areas, including Long Beach, Biloxi, Pass Christian, D’Iberville, Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Ocean Springs, and dozens of other communities. The same 24/7 availability and IICRC-certified crew that responds in Gulfport responds across the region. If you are unsure whether your address is covered, call (228) 284-5200 and ask, the intake team will confirm.
Gulfport’s coastal climate means water damage here often involves higher humidity, faster mold onset, and storm-related flooding that goes beyond a simple pipe break. The IICRC S500 drying protocols HomeLyft follows account for ambient conditions, meaning the drying plan is adjusted for Mississippi’s heat and humidity, not just applied generically.
If a recent storm caused roof damage alongside the water intrusion, HomeLyft also handles storm damage restoration and emergency board-up and tarping to secure the structure while the interior drying is underway.
About HomeLyft Restoration MS
HomeLyft Restoration MS is an IICRC-certified firm serving Gulfport, Mississippi and the surrounding Gulf Coast since 2022 (Mississippi license RO 2728). The company is locally owned and operated, licensed, insured, and available 24/7 for emergency response. Their certified team handles water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, sewage cleanup, biohazard cleanup, asbestos abatement, emergency board-up and tarping, contents restoration, crawl space encapsulation, carpet cleaning, post-construction cleaning, and general contracting across South Mississippi.