FAQs

When your property sustains fire & smoke damage, mold remediation, water damage or other issues, you may have plenty of questions. Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions we receive, so you can get the right answers.

Every situation is different. The amount of time it takes to clean fire damage depends on the extent of the damage, how many rooms the fire spread to, and other factors. We’ll clean as quickly and efficiently as we can, which typically requires between a few days to a few weeks to complete the job.

We strongly advise you to avoid re-entering your home following a fire. Beyond the concerns of smoke inhalation, fire and smoke can weaken a home’s structure substantially, risking collapse.

We recommend that you hire a professional team to clean up fire and smoke residue rather than cleaning it yourself. Smoke is dangerous to inhale, and our team has the proper equipment and expertise to adequately handle the damage.

We make it a point to salvage as many items as possible to reduce losses after your home or office suffers from a fire. Many personal belongings can often be cleaned once they’re recovered. Unfortunately, there may be some items that are too damaged to salvage. We document the condition of each item and record the manner of disposal if that is necessary.

After a fire, the main concerns are the structural integrity of the home and the smoke residue. When a fire burns, it melts building materials and can create toxic fumes that linger within the property.

If you were able to grab any belongings while evacuating your home and they are undamaged, keep them with you.

Part of our assessment process includes creating an inventory of each item that we recover from the scene. From there, we assess each item’s condition and decide what can be restored and what must be disposed of. Everything will be accounted for and documented.

If you have special items that were left behind in your home, simply let us know. We will diligently search for them, assess each item, and restore them when possible.

The property owner is responsible for paying for the service, but we recommend that you contact your insurance company after the incident to review your coverage options.

Whether or not you file an insurance claim is totally up to you. Discuss your options with your insurance agent to see if it’s practical based on the estimate and your coverage.

If you would like us to speak with your adjuster, we are more than happy to do so. Just let us know.

We are certified to handle substances like asbestos and lead based on our training. However, if we are not 100% comfortable with something, we will call in colleagues who can safely manage the situation.

If this ordeal has created an opportunity for you to do the upgrade or remodel you’ve always wanted, then we can help. However, keep in mind that if your plans are extensive, you may need to hire an additional contractor.

Water can cause additional damage to a property the longer it sits. It can saturate and deteriorate possessions and building materials, and lead to mold growth. Acting fast is imperative when it comes to water damage.

The first thing we do is clean up all standing water that is still present in the property. Next, we assess the damage. We determine what can be salvaged and what needs to be disposed of, then make sure the area is dried and dehumidified. Staying ahead of mold growth is something we prioritize with water damage restoration.

When dealing with water damage, we work tirelessly with our skills and advanced equipment to make sure every ounce of water is cleaned up, ruined materials are removed, and the potential for mold growth is diminished.

The cost of water damage restoration will vary based on the type of water and the extent of the damage. We will be able to give you a more specific estimate after we assess the property.

Water damage can be caused by many different things: appliance leaks, burst pipes, plumbing leaks, flooding from natural disasters, and more.

Water damage can absolutely be hidden. You should always be on the lookout for water spots, a pungent odor of mildew, or visible signs of mold.

At the first signs of water damage, you should attempt to air out the property as much as possible. Turn on fans, open windows, and blast the AC if you have to. Hang up your rugs and cushions at a safe, dry location then collect loose items that are at risk. Mop up as much standing water as you can and try to keep moisture from spreading.

As soon as you’ve made the situation somewhat stable, call in an experienced restoration service like Restoration 1. Our highly-trained technicians will bring advanced heavy-duty equipment to start on your professional water damage treatment right away!

If you discover water damage, call your local Restoration 1 branch right away. We’ll be at your property as soon as possible to begin the water damage restoration process. All Restoration 1 locations are available 24/7.

First, you should review your insurance policy to see if it covers water damage at all. For example, some policies may cover floods but not mold remediation, while others only handle sewer or drain backups. Find out what your policy covers specifically, so that you understand the terms before speaking with an agent. Because Restoration 1 has experience with all insurance companies, our team can help you navigate the sometimes complex claims process.

Second, make a detailed list of what has been damaged. You should write everything down, from the flooring to the bookshelf that wasn't salvageable, and so on. You should also keep your receipts and other forms of evidence (including photos) that support your damage claims.

Finally, when you file the claim, it will probably take your company a few days to get back to you. In the meantime, do not begin any permanent repairs to your home. You’ll want to wait for permission to do so before spending money on the restoration process.

Although the best way to remove standing water is to call in a professional service like Restoration 1 to use heavy-duty equipment, you can attempt to remove some of the water on your own. Use buckets or a water pump to drain the area, then mop up the excess water on the floor.