Frequently Asked Questions

At the National Weather Service's Memphis station, the average first fall freeze is November 12 and the average last spring freeze is March 18. A freeze is a minimum temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below. These are averages from records through 2020 and not a forecast for any winter.

In the National Weather Service's Memphis data, a freeze date is the date of a minimum temperature of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, while a frost date is the date of a minimum temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This guide uses the 32-degree freeze figures because they are the stricter measure.

The city says using the water cut-off valve in the water meter box is permissible only during an emergency and requires a special key tool. This guide does not describe how to operate it. Use your home's main shut-off valve if you can reach it safely, and seek qualified help if you cannot.

Under Tennessee rule 0780-01-05-.08, within 60 days after receiving properly completed and executed proofs of loss, the insurer must accept the claim, deny it, or notify you that more investigation is needed. If the investigation stays incomplete, letters with reasons follow 60 days after that notice and every 60 days thereafter. Payment is due within 30 days of affirming liability if the amount is determined and not in dispute.

That is your decision. In Tennessee, a public adjuster's fee is capped at 15% of settlement proceeds if the contract precedes the insurer's offer. After an offer, it is capped at 25% of the increase over the insurer's last offer before the contract, under Tennessee Code Annotated section 56-6-913. The department can answer general questions.

A plumber repairs the pipe. A restoration provider deals with the water damage around it. They are different jobs, and one company may not do both. Ask each for proof of insurance and any trade license the job requires, and ask what the estimate covers before work starts.

According to the city, the homeowner is responsible for the line between the house and its connection at the street to the major sewer line. The exception is a problem in the homeowner's lateral that is caused by a blockage in the city sewer main. The city's sewer services page gives the wording.

The city says that if a sewer backup occurs in the home, the cap on the cleanout may be removed to relieve the pressure and protect the home from sewage backflow. That is the city's advice as published. Ask the city whether it fits your house.

Germantown lists 901-757-7338 for reaching a technician after hours. For sewer backups the city says to use that number after hours, holidays and weekends. On weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., the listed number is 901-757-7350. Both numbers appear on the city's contact page for water leaks, sewer and storm drain issues.

The city's public works contact page lists the same two numbers for a water leak, a sewer issue or a storm drain issue: 901-757-7350 on weekdays and 901-757-7338 after hours. For stormwater inquiries or concerns, the city also lists the Engineering Department at 901-751-7546.

The city numbers are for reporting water, sewer and storm drain problems. Drying, cleanup and repairs inside a private home are work for a restoration provider you hire, and any claim goes through your insurer. If you are unsure which office handles a particular problem, ask the city when you call.

The city says its flood control programs address flooding along those two waterways, and it lists the Engineering Department at 901-751-7546 for stormwater inquiries or concerns. FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov is an official source for flood maps. Insurance questions go to your insurer.

No. This is an independent guide for homeowners in Germantown, Tennessee. It explains who handles what, what official sources say about flood, mold and insurance claims, and how to find a local restoration provider that serves your address. The company you hire does the drying and repairs, not this site.

Standard homeowners policies typically exclude flood, so flood coverage is usually a separate policy. According to FEMA and FloodSmart, the National Flood Insurance Program offers up to $250,000 for the building and up to $100,000 for contents on one-to-four-unit homes, and typically has a 30-day waiting period. Check your own policy wording.

According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, a contractor license is required when acting as a prime contractor on projects costing $25,000 or more. Residential remodeling projects costing $3,000–$24,999 in Shelby County need a home improvement license. Ask any provider what license, if any, your job requires, and ask for proof of insurance.

Start with your insurer. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance says that if you have questions about one of your insurance policies, you can call 615-741-2218 or 800-342-4029. Its consumer resources page also explains how to file a complaint. Your policy wording controls what is covered.

FEMA's Flood Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov is an official source for flood maps. Germantown lists its Engineering Department at 901-751-7546 for stormwater inquiries or concerns. A map lookup shows flood-zone status only; what your insurance policy covers is answered in the policy itself.

Water from a clean supply line, used water from the home and sewage or floodwater carry different levels of contamination. The type affects what cleanup involves and how careful people need to be around it. A provider should tell you which type it believes you have and explain why it reached that view.

EPA says that in most cases mold will not grow if wet or damp items are dried within 24-48 hours. That is a general statement, not a promise for any particular house. FEMA adds that items holding moisture “can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours.” How fast a material dries depends on the material and the conditions.

Tennessee does not list a separate mold assessor or mold remediator license. The state does license contractors by project size: a contractor license is required when acting as a prime contractor on projects costing $25,000 or more, and in Shelby County a home improvement license is required for residential remodeling projects costing $3,000–$24,999.

CDC and EPA guidance does not recommend routine mold testing, and Tennessee health guidance is in line with that. If you are worried about symptoms, ask a doctor. If you are worried about an area that stayed wet, ask a provider that serves your ZIP code to explain what it sees and why.

Coverage depends on your policy's wording and on what caused the water. This guide cannot tell you what your policy covers. Ask your insurer directly. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance lists 615-741-2218 and 800-342-4029 for questions about an insurance policy.

FEMA and Ready.gov publish a spring flood fact sheet that carries the 24 to 48 hour wording, EPA has a mold course with a chapter on moisture control, and CDC has a mold health page. Links to each are in the first section of this page.

The agencies' wording is about how long items stay wet, not about where the water came from. Sewage and floodwater raise separate contamination concerns and are more serious than clean supply water. A provider should be able to explain the difference for your case.