Fire & Water Damage Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Identify the source of the incoming water and, if possible, stop it or call a professional to handle it. To reduce electrical hazards, turn off all electrical appliances in and around the area affected. Remove or elevate furniture from wet areas to prevent permanent stains or rust marks. Empty out closet floors, including shoes and cardboard boxes which could cause staining. Call us day or night to schedule an inspection or to begin emergency drying procedures.

First, make sure the area is safe, and evacuate if necessary before calling a disaster restoration professional. You should call a restoration professional quickly, because the water can spread to additional areas. Avoid walking on affected areas. Also, if left for a period of time, mold and mold-forming bacteria can begin to spread. The longer a damaged home is left before treatment begins, the more damage will expand into other areas of the home.

It is best to remove belongings and furniture from the affected areas as quickly as possible to prevent further damage to the belongings, and possible staining of carpets and floors. If you are able, move your belongings to a dry, unaffected area, making sure to protect the unaffected floor if the items are wet.

When water enters your home (either from outside or a leak inside) the first thought may be: “It’s no big deal, I will clean it up and it can dry on its own.” Many of us are incredibly self-sufficient, prompting us to not seek help from an expert immediately. Here are a few reasons why you should, in fact, call in a professional when water intrusion occurs in your property:

• You may not see the full extent of damage

-Do you know how far the water traveled? It may not look like it, but the water could have seeped and wicked up walls, into carpet and carpet pad, and under flooring. In many instances, flooring, carpet, and carpet pad are removed during the restoration process.

• You may be at risk for mold growth

-Mold needs the proper moisture, temperature, and organic material to start growing. Water intrusion is the perfect combination for mold to rear its head. You may not notice it until it is too late, and the repairs will be even more costly than it would have cost to clean up the water in the first place.

Tip: Most insurance companies do not cover mold remediation, so it is best to call a professional when water damage occurs.

• You may be in over your head

-Attempting to take on water damage on your own is a daunting task, especially if there is a LOT of damage. A restoration company has unique equipment and tools necessary to get the job done in a timely manner. Did you know that most of the time, wood floors can be saved even if water has seeped under the panels? This can only be done with specialized equipment and, of course, knowledge that comes with training and experience.

First, make sure the area is safe. Evacuate if necessary and if you haven’t already, call the fire department to inspect the damaged area for possible hazards before calling a disaster restoration professional. Depending upon the extent of damage, the house may still be livable. It is important to contact a restoration professional quickly, because the longer smoke and soot stay in the home, the more difficult it is to clean and deodorize. Also, do not attempt to clean the fire or smoke damage yourself. Restoration professionals have scientific methods used to specifically clean different types of damage and materials. Trying to mitigate the damage yourself may cause the cleaning job to be much more difficult due to using imprecise methods.