Water, Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration FAQs

In Winston-Salem, Restoration 1 should be your top choice for restoration services. When a fire, smoke, water or mold emergency strikes, we’re here to help you inspect, clean up, and restore your property back to normal. Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions concerning our restoration services.

Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration FAQs

First, call 911 immediately! Your safety is our top priority. After the fire is extinguished, you’ll need an expert to assess the damage. Give us a call so we can evaluate the situation and begin the restoration process. Smoke and fumes left by a fire can be carcinogenic, so it’s important you let us be the first to survey the damage.

Depending on the severity of the fire, the cleanup could take from just a few hours to several weeks. A few factors come into play, including the size of the property and the number of furnishings inside. After we assess the damage, we can give you an accurate estimate of the cleanup time. We make it a point to provide quick service so you can get back to your daily life.

For your safety, it’s a better idea to contact Restoration 1 first. We will inspect and perform an extensive evaluation of the damage. Because a fire can compromise the structural integrity of a building, entering your property right away may pose a safety issue. There could also be dangerous fumes present.

We always urge our customers to let us handle the cleanup when a fire has damaged their property. Inhaling residue left by the fire can be hazardous. Our professionals use safety gear during the inspection and cleaning process.

We always try to salvage any items such as personal belongings and home furnishings remaining in your home. Many times, these items must be cleaned after they’re recovered. Unfortunately, some items may be damaged beyond repair. We recommend making a mental note or list of those items most important to you.

After a fire, there are often a number of safety issues you should keep in mind: structural damage that cannot be seen, toxic or dangerous fumes still lingering in the air, and other safety considerations. You should not enter right away. Leave that to our trained professionals.

The number of salvageable items completely depends on how severe and widespread the fire was. We’ll remove as many items as possible and return them to you.

Part of our process includes making a comprehensive inventory each time we find an item. This inventory includes details including what the item is, where the item was found, and what condition it’s in. If an item is beyond repair, we will let you know and provide information on its proper storage or disposal.

If there are any items of special significance, please let us know. We can make those items our top priority. Our team relies on you to let them know about these valuables.

It’s important you speak with your insurance company right away and understand their billing system. Depending on the insurance provider you use and your specific policy, there could be coverage details and restrictions you need to be aware of.

Each case is different. You’ll need to evaluate how the claim will affect your premiums before deciding to file. It’s important to speak with your insurance company so you understand how they handle claims on your policy.

Should your adjuster have any questions, we will be happy to answer them.

As we survey the damaged property, our professionals have the training and experience to identify any dangerous materials or chemicals. The safety of everyone involved is our highest priority and we always take rigorous precautions while working. If we feel a home’s condition is beyond our expertise, we’ll contact someone who has professional experience with the situation.

We can help you with both restoration services and adding additional upgrades. Our primary goal is that you’re completely satisfied with our work. Keep in mind that you may need to work with a different contractor if you’d like significant additions to your home.

 

Water Damage Restoration FAQs

Water damage can cause serious problems throughout your entire home. The excess moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow. This fungus growth can contribute to health problems, including allergies, skin infections and diseases. It can even weaken and compromise the structure of a building. Water damage can warp wooden floors and ruin ceilings, while also causing problems with metal and cement materials.

 

While there are various levels of water damage, all require special kinds of treatment to ensure that your home or business is restored to a safe, healthy state.

Water damage restoration must be conducted with care, using specific procedures and safeguards. A restoration company will bring in heavy-duty equipment that can mitigate the effects of excess water and dry things out thoroughly. This process may also involve removing damaged parts of the structure. Because some damage is hidden, rely on professionals to get the job done right.

After the initial assessment, Restoration 1 will use the following steps to repair and control the water damage:

 

Step 1: Dry out the affected areas with large fans, wet vacuums, and pumps. All moist surfaces and carpets will be targeted.

 

Step 2: Pull up the carpet and padding that cannot be saved. While the team members at Restoration 1 do their best to salvage what they can, some parts of your home may need to be removed.

 

Step 3: Restore personal belongings. Restoration 1 will work to put all of your books, art, furniture, and other items back in their original places.

 

Step 4: Clean and dehumidify. To prevent the growth of mold, we will professionally sanitize and dry everything in the home or business.

 

Throughout each step of the process, at Restoration 1 we make protecting your home and keeping your family safe our number one priority.

Prices can vary depending on the severity of the damage and the amount of work involved in the restoration process.

Floods and water damage can be caused by a variety of problems. Some of the most common include:

  • Leaking dishwashers, washing machines, and pipes
  • Excess amounts of rain and drainage problems
  • Clogged sinks or toilets that overflow
  • Hidden moisture beneath your floors or in your walls
  • Cracked pipes due to severe weather or faulty plumbing

Absolutely – and more often than not, you won’t notice that water damage is occurring until the need for repairs has become very obvious! Signs of hidden water damage can be as subtle as an unpleasant odor, or slight staining on the walls and ceilings. You may also notice peeling paint, warped floors, or mold growth in the nooks and crannies of your home or business.

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 in 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 the 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!

First things first: Research companies that are certified, licensed, and insured. It’s also smart to go with a company that can respond immediately to your water damage emergency – one that can also offer a 100-percent satisfaction guarantee! Call Restoration 1 so that our trained professionals can give you the prompt, effective service you need.

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.

Mold Remediation FAQs

Mold typically looks like either black or green fungus and will likely have a raised surface – not flat like mildew. It can spread to a number of different areas, both seen and unseen.

The total expense of mold remediation depends on a number of factors. If you find mold, you should take action immediately because it does spread quickly. The cost of removal depends on the amount of mold and which stage it was discovered. Another factor is where it’s located and the type of repairs required after removal.

It only takes 24 hours for mold to grow. It can begin to spread anywhere between a day and a few weeks.

Mold typically looks like either black or green fungus and will likely have a raised surface – not flat like mildew. It can spread to a number of different areas, both seen and unseen.

Only a trained Restoration 1 expert can professionally inspect the property and determine if you have a serious mold issue. Because it spreads quickly, it will be difficult for you to know which areas of your home have mold.

Depending on the factors described above, the process could take a couple of days to a few weeks.

Mold remediation is the process by which mold is removed and the area is cleaned and sanitized. Other treatments may be necessary to completely get rid of the mold. This process also ensures that any future growth is prevented.

Restoration 1 professionals can detect mold in just about any building with the use professional equipment. The presence of moisture under floors and behind walls may indicate a potential for mold growth. However, to be absolutely sure, Restoration 1 uses special equipment and/or the ripping out of floors and walls. Ask your Restoration 1 professional for more details.

The health issues associated with mold may be similar to the symptoms related to allergies. These may include sore throat, nasal congestion, irritation of the skin or eyes, and coughing. For people with an allergy to mold, the symptoms may be more severe.