Water or mold in your Knoxville home? Start with what happened.
Pick the one that fits. You'll get the first steps, what a drying job usually involves and what to ask for in writing. Or call (865) 409-0957 and your call is connected with an independent local company that serves your ZIP code.
- A pipe froze or burstWater spraying after a cold night
- Water under the houseCrawl space wet or smelling musty
- Water heater or applianceTank, washer, dishwasher or fridge line
- Sewage came up a drainToilet, tub or floor drain backing up
- Storm water got inCreek, yard or street water inside
- I found moldSpots on walls or a smell that stays
24/7 phone line. Callers pay nothing.
Knoxville right now
55°F
Humidity 94% · dew point 54°F
Tonight: low near 38°F. Above the 20°F pipe-freeze mark.
McGhee Tyson Airport, observed Nov 12, 5:45 AM. National Weather Service.
Rain totals and freeze watchThe first ten minutes
Four things to do before anyone arrives
After these four, the next step is getting the water out and the drying set up.
Knoxville's water year
Freeze nights in winter, heavy rain all year
Average rain each month and average nights at or below 20°F, the temperature at which unprotected pipes start to freeze, from Knoxville's official weather record.
- Jan4.76 in.5.3 freeze nightsJan 2024: 0°F and 7 days of 4"+ snow cover
- Feb4.81 in.2.3 freeze nightsFeb 28, 2011: most NFIP claims of any date
- Mar4.89 in.0.5 freeze nights
- Apr4.71 in.no freezes
- May4.13 in.no freezes
- Jun4.24 in.no freezes
- Jul5.25 in.no freezesWettest month in the 1991-2020 normals
- Aug3.63 in.no freezes
- Sep3.49 in.no freezesSep 23, 2006: flash flood delayed a game at Neyland
- Oct2.81 in.no freezes
- Nov4.21 in.0.3 freeze nights
- Dec5.00 in.2.2 freeze nightsDec 23-24, 2022: 4°F at the airport
Source: ACIS daily record for Knoxville Area record (McGhee Tyson Airport today), 1991-2020 normals and freeze nights, calculated by Knox Flood & Freeze on November 12, 2026. Event notes from the National Weather Service and FEMA NFIP claims. See sources and methods.
Flash floods on city creeks
Knoxville has 29 watersheds, and a three-year city assessment found 23.4 percent of its stormwater infrastructure in fair, poor or failing condition. In August 2026 the city held four public meetings to hear from property owners about flash flooding.
Source: City of Knoxville, Public Discussions on Stormwater and FloodingSeptember 23, 2006
Storms trained over the same areas for about three hours. The Knoxville Water Plant observer recorded 4.08 inches, radar estimated up to 6 inches in parts of Knox and Loudon counties, roads closed, people were evacuated and flooding around Neyland Stadium delayed kickoff.
Source: National Weather Service Morristown, Knoxville and vicinity flash floodingHard freezes, not long winters
McGhee Tyson Airport fell to 4°F on December 23 and 24, 2022, with wind chills of -15 and -16. In January 2024 Knoxville hit 0°F and kept 4 inches or more of snow on the ground for 7 straight days, the longest such stretch in records back to 1910.
Source: National Weather Service Morristown, January 14-17, 2024Wet years
The city's ten wettest years on record include 2013 (69.30 inches), 2020 (66.10 inches), 2019 (64.29 inches) and 2018 (61.37 inches), four of them in the last fifteen years.
Source: City of Knoxville, Rainfall Data
What we take calls for
Water damage and mold in Knoxville homes
Burst & frozen pipes
Supply lines that split in a crawl space, an outside wall or a garage, usually after a hard freeze.
Read more
Crawl space water & mold
Standing water after storms, sweating ducts in summer, and mold on joists and insulation.
Read more
Flash floods & creek water
Storm water, overflowing creeks and backed-up street drains. Mud removal, cleaning and drying.
Read more
Water heater & appliance leaks
Tank water heaters, washer hoses, dishwashers and ice-maker lines, often leaking under floors.
Read more
Sewer & drain backups
Overflowing toilets, floor drains and backed-up main lines. Containment, removal and disinfection.
Read more
Mold remediation
Containment, removal of moldy material, and fixing the moisture that feeds it.
Read more
Photos are illustrations, not a specific company's work.
When you call
What happens after you dial
- 1
Your call is connected
The line connects you with an independent company that takes calls for your part of Knoxville. We don't know in advance which company that is, and we don't vet it.
- 2
You describe what happened
Where the water came from, when it started and which rooms are wet. The estimator's call script helps.
- 3
Someone measures on site
A visit with moisture meters, then a written scope. Ask for the license number and proof of insurance before anyone starts.
- 4
Drying with daily readings
Dehumidifiers and air movers run until each material is dry. Ask for a copy of every day's readings.
Before anyone starts work, check these
- Ask for the company's Tennessee license number and look it up on the state's Verify search
- In Knox County, residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999 needs a home improvement license; $25,000 and up needs a contractor's license
- For mold jobs, ask whether the company holds the S-F Mold Remediation classification
- Ask for a certificate of liability insurance before anyone starts
- Get the scope in writing and read any contract or work authorization before you sign
- Keep your own photos, and ask for copies of every moisture reading
Before you call us
Is it your pipe, or the utility's?
A break in the street or a sewer overflowing from a manhole belongs to the utility. Water inside the house is yours to stop.
Water main or meter leak, most of the city
The City of Knoxville lists Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) at 865-524-2911.
Source: City of Knoxville resource directoryWest Knox County, Concord and Farragut
First Utility District serves from the Loudon County line east to Gallaher View Road, north of I-40/75 to the river: (865) 966-9741. Check the name on your bill.
Source: First Utility District service areaSewage coming out of a manhole
The city asks residents to call the KUB switchboard at 865-524-2911, and TDEC's Knoxville office at 865-594-6035. Stay out of the water.
Source: City of Knoxville, sanitary sewer overflowsFlood insurance records
The days Knoxville filed the most flood claims
FEMA records 543 National Flood Insurance Program claims across Knoxville's 18 residential ZIP codes, with $7,344,804 paid. These loss dates had the most.
| Date of loss | NFIP claims | ZIP codes | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 28, 2011 | 60 | 10 | $1,803,983 |
| July 31, 1982 | 40 | 10 | $539,131 |
| April 16, 1998 | 35 | 10 | $256,900 |
| February 23, 2019 | 33 | 9 | $696,756 |
Source: FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Claims v3, calculated by Knox Flood & Freeze on November 12, 2026. NFIP claims only: private flood policies, homeowners water claims and uninsured losses aren't included. ZIP codes as reported to FEMA. Knoxville's official gauge logged 5.08 in. on February 23, 2019, the 6th wettest day in the record since 1871. See every ZIP code.
Where the line takes calls
Knoxville ZIP codes, from Halls to South Knoxville and out to Farragut
Downtown, Old City and Fort Sanders37902 · 37915 · 37916
Neighborhoods: Downtown, the Old City, Fort Sanders, Five Points and Parkridge.
Where: The center of the city, around the courthouse, the Old City and the University of Tennessee campus.
Water notes: First Creek runs along the east edge of downtown and Second Creek through Fort Sanders, and the state lists both under bacteriological advisories. Sewer overflows here go to KUB at 865-524-2911.
North Knoxville, Fountain City and Halls37917 · 37918 · 37912 · 37938
Neighborhoods: Fourth & Gill, Old North Knoxville, Fountain City, Inskip, Norwood and Halls.
Where: North of downtown along Broadway and Central Street, out to Halls Crossroads.
Water notes: First Creek runs south through this part of town; USGS has measured it at Mineral Springs Avenue, and the state lists it under a bacteriological advisory. USGS runs a live gauge on Beaver Creek near Powell, just north of Halls.
East Knoxville and Carter37914 · 37924
Neighborhoods: Burlington, Holston Hills, Five Points east, and the Carter area out Asheville Highway.
Where: East of downtown along Magnolia Avenue and Asheville Highway, out to Carter.
Water notes: Love Creek and Williams Creek, two of the five watersheds where the city keeps a rain station, are on this side of town.
South Knoxville37920
Neighborhoods: South Knoxville, Island Home, Chapman Highway and the Martin Mill Pike area.
Where: South of the Tennessee River along Chapman Highway and Martin Mill Pike.
Water notes: Across the river from downtown. USGS has measured Stock Creek at Martin Mill Road at the far south end.
Bearden, Sequoyah Hills and West Knoxville37919 · 37909 · 37921 · 37923
Neighborhoods: Sequoyah Hills, Bearden, West Hills, Pond Gap, Western Avenue and Cedar Bluff.
Where: West of downtown along Kingston Pike and Western Avenue, from Sequoyah Hills to Cedar Bluff.
Water notes: Third Creek runs past Tyson Park and Fourth Creek through Bearden. Both are watersheds where the city keeps a rain station, and Third Creek is under a state bacteriological advisory.
Concord, Farragut, Karns and Hardin Valley37922 · 37934 · 37931 · 37932
Neighborhoods: Concord, Farragut, Karns and Hardin Valley.
Where: West and northwest Knox County, including the Town of Farragut.
Water notes: Most of this area is served by First Utility District of Knox County, not KUB. Its district runs from the Loudon County line east to Gallaher View Road, and from north of I-40/75 south to the Tennessee River. Check your bill before you call about a main break.
PO box and single-organization ZIPs
- Other street-delivery ZIP (37929): A small Knoxville ZIP with street delivery. Check the address on your bill.
- PO box ZIPs (37901, 37927, 37928, 37930, 37933, 37939, 37940, 37950): Mail only. Use the ZIP of the house that got wet.
- Single-organization ZIPs (37995, 37996, 37997, 37998): Assigned to one organization. Use the ZIP of the house that got wet.
ZIP list from the USPS ZIP Code lookup for Knoxville, TN.
Game days at Neyland Stadium
Home games at Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center keep a lot of Knoxville away from home for an afternoon or a whole day. Rain doesn't wait for the final whistle: on September 23, 2006, flooding around the stadium delayed the start of the game.
Before you leave
Know where your main water shutoff is, and keep the heat on if the forecast low is near 20°F.
Storm in the forecast
Clear leaves from gutters and the storm drain in front of the house, and close the crawl-space door.
Coming home to water
Shut off the water, take photos for your records, and call before the water has a night to soak in.
Questions
Knoxville water damage questions, by problem
Calling, costs and licenses
- Who do I call for a water main break in Knoxville?
- Most of the city gets water from KUB, which the City of Knoxville lists at 865-524-2911. Parts of west Knox County are served by First Utility District of Knox County at (865) 966-9741. Check the name on your water bill. For a leak inside the house, close your own main shutoff first.
- How much does water damage restoration cost in Knoxville?
- Nationally, Angi puts the average at about $3,800. That is not a quote or a Knoxville price. The cost depends on the water category, how many square feet are wet, how long the water sat and how much material has to come out. A company measures moisture on site and gives a written estimate.
- Does a Knoxville restoration company need a license?
- Tennessee requires a contractor's license for projects of $25,000 or more, and in Knox County a home improvement license for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999. Mold remediation is its own specialty classification. Ask for the license number and check it on the state's license search before work starts.
- How soon can mold start after a leak in Knoxville?
- According to the EPA, wet materials need drying within 24 to 48 hours to keep mold from starting. In a humid Knoxville summer, materials don't dry on their own, so drying equipment should go in the same day if possible.
- I rent. Can I book a restoration company myself?
- The building belongs to your landlord, so the owner or manager needs to authorize the work. Tell them right away, in writing, with photos. Your renters policy may cover your belongings. If water is still flowing and you can't reach anyone, close the main shutoff.
Burst & frozen pipes
- How cold does it have to get in Knoxville for pipes to freeze?
- Pipes in an unheated space are at risk once the outdoor temperature drops to about 20°F, a figure the International Code Council attributes to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. Wind blowing into a crawl space can freeze a pipe at warmer temperatures. Our weather page flags any night in the forecast at or below 20°F at McGhee Tyson Airport.
- Should I call a plumber or a drying company first?
- Close the shutoff first, then call the two of them. The plumber repairs the pipe; the drying company removes the water and dries the structure. Don't wait for the repair before drying starts.
Crawl space water & mold
- Why do Knoxville crawl spaces get so wet in summer?
- Warm, humid outdoor air enters through the vents and meets cooler surfaces such as ductwork and the underside of the floor. When those surfaces are colder than the air's dew point, water condenses on them. Our weather page shows today's dew point at McGhee Tyson Airport.
- Does Tennessee require a license for crawl space mold work?
- Tennessee licenses mold remediation as a specialty contractor classification (S-F Mold Remediation) for projects of $25,000 or more. In Knox County, a home improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999. Ask which license the company holds and look it up on the state's license search.
Flash floods & creek water
- Is my Knoxville home in a flood zone?
- Check the FEMA flood maps on KGIS or the FEMA Map Service Center. Knoxville's current Flood Insurance Rate Maps were updated after a Tennessee Valley Authority flood study, with an index map effective August 5, 2013. Many flash floods here happen outside mapped flood zones.
- What happened in the September 2006 Knoxville flood?
- On September 23, 2006, storms repeatedly crossed the same areas between Chattanooga and Knoxville. The National Weather Service recorded 4.08 inches at the Knoxville Water Plant observer site, radar estimated up to 6 inches in parts of Knox and Loudon counties, roads were closed, people were evacuated, and flooding around Neyland Stadium delayed the start of the football game.
Water heater & appliance leaks
- What size job needs a licensed contractor in Knox County?
- In Knox County, Tennessee requires a home improvement license for residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999, and a contractor's license for projects of $25,000 or more. Ask for the license number before work starts and check it on the state's license search.
- Will a wet hardwood floor dry out or need replacing?
- Often, if drying starts quickly. Floor-drying mats and dehumidifiers pull water out of the boards and subfloor. Boards that cupped badly or stayed wet for days may need replacing.
Sewer & drain backups
- Who do I call when a Knoxville manhole is overflowing?
- The City of Knoxville's sanitary sewer overflow page says to report it to the KUB switchboard at 865-524-2911, and also to the local TDEC office at 865-594-6035 and the City Water Quality Hotline at 865-215-4147 during business hours. Avoid contact with the water.
- Can we stay home after sewage comes up a drain?
- Usually, if the backup is confined to one area, people and pets stay away from it, and nobody uses the plumbing until it is cleared. Young children, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid the area.
Mold remediation
- Does Tennessee license mold remediation companies?
- Tennessee's Board for Licensing Contractors lists S-F Mold Remediation as a specialty classification, and a contractor's license is required for projects of $25,000 or more. In Knox County, residential remodeling projects from $3,000 to $24,999 need a home improvement license. Ask which license applies to your job and check it on the state's license search.
- Can I clean up mold myself?
- The EPA says a moldy area under about 10 square feet can usually be handled by a homeowner. Larger areas, mold after a lot of water damage, mold in the HVAC system, and mold after sewage or flood water should be handled by a professional.