Damage Restoration FAQ

Water Damage

What does the water damage restoration process include?

There are multiple phases to the water damage restoration process.  The first phase is to remove the water as well as the permanently damaged materials.  Standing flood water is removed using water extraction equipment and after the removal, specialized drying equipment and dehumidifiers are placed around the affected area to extract excess moisture out of the air and wet materials.

After the water is removed and the area is dried, the restoration and repair of the damage begins.  This can include repair of damaged drywall, flooring, and other building materials, mold removal, and cleaning.  The affected materials may also be disinfected if the flood water was contaminated.

How long does water damage restoration take?

The length of the restoration process will vary depending on the level of damage.  The first phase of the restoration process that includes water removal, drying, and the removal of permanently damaged materials generally takes 3-4 days.  However, it can take longer if the water has damaged a large area.  The second phase that includes the repair and restoration can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the damage.  Our technicians will go over the damage with you and give you an accurate estimate of how long this phase will take.

How much does water damage restoration cost?

The cost of water damage restoration is largely determined by the extent of the damage and the amount and type of water involved.  The national average price of water damage restoration is around $3000 and generally falls between $1200 and $5000.  Cases of minor damage may only cost around $300 while cases involving extensive water damage can cost as much as $50,000.

The type of water that caused the damage can also affect the cost of the restoration.  Category 1 water damage (clean water) costs $3.75 per square foot on average, Category 2 water damage (moderately contaminated water) costs $4.50 per square foot, and Category 3 water damage (heavily contaminated water), can cost $7 per square foot.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover water damage costs?

Homeowner’s insurance typically only covers water damage that occurs suddenly and is accidental. This includes water damage from a burst pipe, malfunctioning appliance, and plumbing fixtures.  You must respond to this type of water damage right away to ensure that the costs will be covered.  Water damage will not be covered by your insurance if it occurred due to an unresolved maintenance issue, such as a slow leak that was never fixed.  Homeowner’s insurance will cover the cost of the restoration of the damage caused by the water but will not cover the repair or replacement of the source of the water, such as a burst pipe.

One thing to remember is that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding or sewage backups.  You can purchase separate flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program and additional water backup coverage to cover damage from these events.

Fire Damage

What should I do after a fire?

After the fire is out, you need to make sure that everyone involved is safe and that people who need it get medical attention.  Once everyone is taken care of, you should call your insurance company to submit a claim.  The insurance company needs to assess the damage before you can start the restoration process.  Make sure to list everything that was damaged by the fire and document the damage by taking pictures and video.  The more thoroughly you document the damage, the more likely the insurance company will cover in your claim.

What does the fire damage restoration process include?

Fires cause different types of damage, and the fire damage restoration process includes steps to address each type of damage.  The process generally starts with stabilization of the home or building to protect the property and prevent the structural damage from getting worse, as well as pre-cleaning of surfaces and materials damaged by smoke and soot.

Professionals will remove permanently damaged materials and repair the structural damage caused by the fire.  Materials damaged by soot and smoke residue are cleaned with specialized cleaning products.  Water damage caused by putting out the fire is also restored.  If there is a lingering odor from the smoke, the odor will be removed with advanced deodorization methods.

After the property is repaired and cleaned up, the restoration and remodeling can begin to restore the property back to its pre-fire condition.

How long does fire damage restoration take?

There are many factors that determine how long the fire damage restoration process will take, including the extent of the damage, the efficiency of the claims process, and the professionals you call to handle the restoration process.  Minor fire damage may be restored in a few days while it can take months to restore heavily damaged homes and buildings.

Our professionals will do a full assessment of the damage and give you an accurate estimate of how long the restoration process will take.  We also keep you informed every step of the way in case anything changes.

Is it safe to stay at home during the restoration?

Your home may not be safe until after the fire damage restoration is over as the structural integrity of the home may be compromised and the smoke and soot left behind can be dangerous for your health.  Whether or not you can remain at home during the process depends on the extent of the damage and layout of the home.  Our professionals can advise you on whether you can remain at home or if it’s best to stay somewhere else while your home is restored.

Mold Remediation

How does mold growth form?

Mold spores are naturally present in the air, and they will congregate and form into mold colonies when they find a place that provides them with water, nutrients, oxygen, and favorable temperatures.  The biggest trigger of mold growth is water which makes it important to control the moisture level in your home and address instances of water damage immediately to prevent mold growth.

Mold colonies feed on nutrients that are found within materials such as wood, drywall, fabrics, paint, adhesives, insulation, and more.  As the mold feeds on these materials, the growth will spread as the damage to the materials becomes worse.  Affected materials will become permanently damaged over time and damage to structural elements like wood and drywall can lead to serious structural issues for your home.  Mold colonies can also disperse their spores which can cause mold to appear in new areas.

How does mold affect health?

Exposure to mold can be dangerous as mold can cause a number of allergic reactions as well as more serious infections with prolonged exposure.  Molds produce allergens, irritants, and even toxic mycotoxins that can affect those who touch mold or inhale mold spores.  Common allergic reactions to mold include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, headaches, itchy eyes and throat, and irritation of the skin, lungs, eyes, nose, and throat.  These reactions are most likely to occur for those allergic to mold and the symptoms may be immediate or delayed.

People who have asthma may experience an asthma attack from exposure.  It may also be possible to experience respiratory infections with long-term exposure.  If you or someone in your home is experiencing the symptoms of mold exposure, make sure they get the medical care they need.

Do I need to call a professional to remove mold?

It is usually best to call a professional for mold removal because attempting to remove mold yourself with improper methods puts your health at risk and will likely make the mold growth worse.  Improper cleaning will disturb the mold and cause it to release its spores which will cause new growth elsewhere on your property.

Our mold remediation professionals will effectively contain the mold using negative air pressure and they follow established industry protocols to make sure all mold and materials permanently damaged by mold are safely removed and disposed of.  We will also treat the affected areas with anti-microbials to prevent future mold growth and work with an environmental hygienist to test the property and ensure effective mold removal.

How long does mold remediation take?

Mold remediation can take between 1-7 days depending on the amount of mold and the extent of the damage.  This remediation consists of the removal of mold growth, as well as fibrous building materials that have been permanently damaged by mold, and the treatment of affected materials that can be saved.

Once the mold remediation is complete, the resulting damage will still need to be repaired and restored.  This process can take several days or months to complete depending on the extent of the damage.

Biohazard Cleaning

When should I call a biohazard cleaning professional?

If a traumatic event such as a death, suicide, homicide, or serious injury has occurred on your property and there are biohazard materials such as blood and other bodily fluids present, you should call a biohazard cleaning professional.  Professionals will ensure the complete cleanup of the dangerous materials as well as thorough disinfection to restore safe conditions.  Biohazard cleaning professionals also follow proper protocols for cleaning and disposing of dangerous materials and cooperate with law enforcement to avoid compromising the investigation.

You should also call biohazard cleaning professionals for non-traumatic situations involving biohazard materials such as sewage, mold, biowaste, and blood.

Why are biohazard materials dangerous?

Biohazard materials like blood and bodily fluids are dangerous because they may contain viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens that can spread infection or disease.  Improper cleaning and handling of these materials will increase the risk of spreading disease.

These biohazard materials can get absorbed into the affected materials and simply cleaning the biohazard will not remove the threat of infection or disease.  The affected materials need to be thoroughly disinfected to eliminate dangerous pathogens and the risk of infection or disease.  Our professionals will be sure to thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and materials affected by the biohazard materials.

What does the biohazard cleanup process include?

Biohazard cleanup includes the complete removal and disposal of dangerous biohazard materials as well as the cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization of the affected area.  It takes properly licensed and equipped professionals to ensure that every trace of the biohazard materials is removed and that safe conditions are restored.

Our professionals will first contain the affected areas to prevent cross-contamination and remove dangerous materials.  The disinfection is thorough and done with advanced cleaning products and disinfectants to effectively eliminate all dangerous pathogens.  The affected area will be restored to its original condition and once again be safe for use.

Does homeowner’s insurance cover biohazard cleaning?

In most cases, you can expect homeowner’s insurance to cover biohazard cleaning, but this is not guaranteed as it may depend on the specific situation.  Our professionals will help you file your claim and work with your insurance carrier to see what they will cover and help settle the claim.