Provider profile
Water Out South Puget Sound
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Tacoma-area homeowners dealing with water damage who want a patented evaporative drying method that avoids demolition and typically finishes in three days.
Best for
- Homeowners in the Tacoma and South Puget Sound area who need emergency water damage restoration without demolition.
- Property owners who want a drying method that preserves walls, flooring, and contents rather than tearing them out.
- Realtors or HOA managers who need fast-turnaround drying during transactions or multi-unit situations.
About this company
Water Out South Puget Sound is a Tacoma-based water damage restoration company that also handles mold remediation. Their main differentiator is a patented drying system that uses conditioned outside air instead of traditional dehumidifiers. The company is woman-owned and family-operated, and they claim to serve all of western Washington.
The patented Water Out method works by pulling outside air through a trailer-mounted system that conditions it down to roughly 2% relative humidity, then pushes that air through the flooded structure. The company says a single trailer removes about 300 gallons of water per day on standard household power (115V, 8 amps). Because it uses open-air circulation rather than recirculating indoor air, the process avoids the stale-air problem common with closed dehumidification systems. They claim most residential clients are back home in three days, compared to six or more weeks with traditional demo-and-dry approaches.
Services
Service area
Water Out South Puget Sound is headquartered in Tacoma, Washington at 515 S 74th St. They claim to serve all of western Washington. Reviews confirm work in the Tacoma area, and the company handles both residential and commercial properties across the South Puget Sound region.
Review consensus
Wally is by far the most frequently mentioned name across reviews. Multiple clients describe him as responsive, honest, and willing to fit emergency calls into a tight schedule. Reviewers repeatedly note that the drying system works quickly — several mention two- to three-day turnarounds with no demolition required. Amber Young specifically noted Wally used infrared technology and a protimeter to measure moisture. Elona Livingston, a local realtor, called Wally and his team vital to her business and praised their supporting documentation. In a more recent review, Danielle and Jeff were praised for handling a mold job under the pressure of a home sale contingency, with Danielle handling estimates and invoicing.
2 found across 29 total reviews at 4.8★. Britt Marie hired them for a mold job and reported that Jeff misidentified the problem, proposed an inadequate solution, and then failed to show up for the scheduled remediation appointment without calling. She also raised concerns about unprofessional conduct behind the scenes. The company did not respond to this review or her refund request. Caleb Barker described a billing overcharge on a water damage job — the company requested an upfront cash deposit, the final invoice included services not performed, and months of calls, texts, and emails went unanswered. After posting a 1-star review and serving a demand letter, he received roughly half of the overpayment back. The owner's response claimed Caleb never called the office, which Caleb disputes. Caleb did note that the actual drying technology worked well and was more cost-effective than the demolition approach recommended by a competitor.
Both recent negative reviews involve the same two problems: unresponsive communication and disputes over money. In both cases, the company stopped responding to direct outreach and only acted after public pressure (a review or legal threat). The owner responded to one of two recent negative reviews, and that response disputed the customer's account of events rather than acknowledging the billing error. This suggests a pattern where communication breaks down after a dispute arises.
Wally (owner/operator — overwhelmingly positive across many reviews for responsiveness, honesty, and hands-on service). Jeff (mixed — praised by Timothy Todaro and Vincent Alcala for responsiveness and efficient drying; praised alongside Danielle by emanon for a mold job; criticized by Britt Marie for missing a scheduled appointment and misidentifying a mold problem). Danielle (positive — praised by emanon for handling estimates and invoicing on a mold remediation job).
The Water Out drying technology has a strong track record in reviews — clients consistently say it works fast and avoids unnecessary demolition. For water damage work, ask for Wally if he is still active, or confirm who will be on site. For mold work, get an independent inspection first since they do both testing and remediation, and get all pricing and scope in writing before any deposit changes hands.
Keep in mind
- They do both mold inspection and mold remediation. This is a conflict of interest — the same company that tells you whether you have a mold problem also profits from fixing it. Consider getting an independent mold assessment before committing to their remediation services.
- Two recent reviews describe billing and refund issues, including an overcharge that took months and a demand letter to partially resolve. Ask for a detailed written estimate before work begins and confirm the refund policy in writing.
- One recent reviewer reported that Jeff did not show up for a scheduled remediation appointment with no advance notice. Confirm your appointment directly and get a named point of contact.
- The company claims to serve "all of western Washington," which is a broad area. Confirm response times for your specific location before booking emergency work.