Water Damage – Rescue Clean

Where there are pipes, there is always an opportunity for leakage, water damage and mold growth. We live in an area prone to natural flooding disasters from hurricanes and are at high-risk for severe water damage. Without immediate remediation, floods and leaks can damage the structure, foundation and integrity of your home, cause a persistent mildew smell, and encourage the growth of dangerous mold spores.If you are facing a water damage emergency and need the reliability of a water restoration service company with a 24/7/365 response time, Rescue Clean 911 is your company. All of our employees are certified technicians, in fact, they are licensed, bonded and insured. Emergency or not we are happy to provide a free on-site estimate. In addition, our estimating software ‘Xactimate’ is in line with industry standard pricing and is the preferred method of pricing for all insurance companies throughout the restoration industry.

We will explain the damage and guide you step by step through the process of the water removal and restoration process so you’ll know exactly what to expect. In addition, Rescue Clean 911 works with several different insurance companies, therefore we are often able to bill your insurance company directly. If insurance coverage is not available, we do offer several different payment plans, which generally suit most budgets.
Treating and thoroughly drying your furniture and carpets immediately helps decrease the chances that mold microbial growth will start. Personal property will also have a good chance of surviving a flood if everything is dried immediately. This includes drying out any walls that were in a water damaged area. The most important thing to keep in mind after damage from water or a flood is the possibility of electrocution. Any wiring, outlets or exposed receptacles should be dried as soon as possible or a fire hazard will exist. This should be done before turning back on your home or commercial building’s electricity.

What to do if you are affected by a flood

Contact Rescue Clean 911 at 1-833-CLEAN99 (833.253.2699) for a prompt property damage assessment. If you are insured, it is likely that your insurance policy requires you take prompt action to minimize damages to your home covered under your policy.

Call your insurance company immediately to report the damage and review your coverage. (Rescue Clean 911 does not make any determinations or decisions regarding insurance coverage, but can help answer any questions with billing throughout the process)

Stay out of the area unless you are wearing protective gear. The water may contain dangerous contaminants, and it may also be hiding unseen dangers like broken glass and nails.

If possible, turn off water and electrical power to the flooded area. This will prevent more water from entering the area, and it will ensure the water isn’t carrying an electrical current.

Don’t use items that were affected by the flood until they have been thoroughly sanitized and disinfected. The items may have picked up harmful bacteria.

How long will it take my property to dry?

Drying time is determined by a combination of factors, including the location, duration and source of water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions and how quickly emergency services begin. Through consistent monitoring and evaluation of the drying process, we can determine when the drying is complete. Your carpet may feel dry to the touch, but padding and subfloors may still be wet underneath. While there are no rules to determine how long your property will take to dry, we can tell you it may take between three and five days or more, depending on the conditions.

How do I know when my property is completely dry?

Proper testing with our specialized equipment is the correct way to determine if things are completely dry. Touch alone may be a false indicator.

Will turning up the heat help dry things out?

Not necessarily. We will adjust the temperature to its optimum setting for the proper drying conditions. Please do not change the setting or shut off the HVAC system; doing so may prolong the drying process.

My wood floors are wet and buckling. Will they have to be replaced?

Wood flooring must be evaluated during the drying process. We employ specialized drying systems and dehumidifiers that enable us to create an environment where wood floors can dry more efficiently and resume their original shape. Due to the density of hardwood flooring and urethane finishes, drying may take up to three weeks or longer. If you filed a claim, your insurance adjuster will work with you to make the final decision as to whether floors will need to be refinished or replaced.

What about my wet furniture?

The extent of damage and the construction of the furniture will determine if your furniture can be restored. Your furniture must be dried before damage can be adequately assessed. Non-salvageable furniture will be documented for you, and if any items need to be discarded, a customer release form will need to be signed.

Do I need to move out of my property during this process?

If you file an insurance claim, you may receive guidance from your insurance representative. However, this is a decision you must reach on your own. Here are several things to consider. Safety is paramount. Our equipment is as childproof as possible, but we require your supervision to make sure no children play with it. Air movers and dehumidifiers will create noise and make your property drafty for a few days. It is important that the equipment remains on, so if the noise is disruptive to you, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay.

What’s that smell?

It is not unusual to smell odors during the drying process. Increased heat and humidity can also lead to increased odors that may be coming from the drying building materials, or dormant spill and accident areas. Do not confuse these normal odors with the odor of mold. As the drying process continues and humidity levels drop, you’ll notice these odors disappearing on their own. Deodorizers are often used to minimize these effects as well.

Does everything need to be moved out during restoration?

Not usually. If items need to be moved out, we will let you know in advance.

My ceilings are wet. What needs to be done?

Our technicians will evaluate moisture content, determine the severity of the damage and may have to remove some of your ceiling for ventilation. Wet insulation can also be a hazard and may need to be removed.

Should I open the windows to help the drying process?

Opening your windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so the technician will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.

Can I walk on the area during the drying process?

It is strongly suggested that you keep the traffic to a minimum. Wearing shoes is recommended for your safety.

Can my carpet be restored or will it have to be replaced?

A few reasons your carpet may not be salvageable:

Delamination (occurs when the backing separates from the carpet fiber)
Loss of adhesion (may be caused by prolonged exposure to water or age of the carpet)
Permanent stains
Carpet covers wood flooring (to salvage the wood flooring)
Sewage contamination

Why does my specialty floor need to be removed?

Nonporous flooring can trap water and prevent it from drying properly.

Why did the technician leave wet carpet on my stairs?

Carpet on the stairs is generally not removed for safety reasons. Exposed tack strips or staples, especially on steps, is dangerous. However, there are situations where removing carpet from stairs is necessary to prevent damage to hardwood steps or in the case of sewage contamination. Removing tack strips is not advised, as this may damage the hardwood or the subfloor. Extreme caution must be used whenever the tack strip is exposed or when the carpeted stairs are damp. If carpet left on the stairs is unsalvageable, it will be removed when new carpet is installed.

How will you match my carpet pad?

A sample of your pad is brought to our office for a match. When available, an identical pad will be used. When your original pad is not available, we will provide a pad of the same quality, thickness and density. A similar pad may differ in color based upon the time it was manufactured.

Why are air movers and dehumidifiers used?

When water damage has occurred, water can be absorbed into the drywall (sheetrock), baseboards, subflooring, etc. Drying these surfaces requires high velocity air movers to accelerate the release of absorbed water into the air. Dehumidifiers are necessary for removing this excess moisture to help protect property and create conditions for efficient drying. Please do not turn off or move drying equipment without first calling Rescue Clean 911.

Why does my specialty floor need to be removed?

Nonporous flooring can trap water and prevent it from drying properly.

Who is responsible for monitoring the drying equipment?

Our water damage mitigation specialists will place and monitor equipment to achieve optimal results in the shortest amount of time. Please make sure no one turns the equipment off or moves it. Please notify our office immediately if the power goes off or if the equipment turns off

What will it cost to run the equipment?

Based on average electrical rates, it may cost about $1 per day per piece of drying equipment to operate. Actual costs can vary depending on current rates from your local electricity provider.

What about sewage contamination?

Hard-surfaces can be cleaned, disinfected and sanitized. Affected items that cannot be cleaned, require disposal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, paneling, etc., that have been directly affected should be removed during the emergency service visit.

What to expect when you place a call to Rescue Clean 911:

An immediate response to your emergency situation.
A thorough inspection of the loss using state-of- the-art equipment.
Protection of your contents by moving them out of harm’s way.
Inspection to determine the source of loss.
Prompt initiation of your repairs: including water extraction and drying.
Daily monitoring of the loss to ensure that it is drying properly.
Daily updates on what exactly is going on during the restoration of your property.

Who is responsible for paying for the service?

Ultimately you, the property owner, are responsible for payment. As the property owner, you will need to sign a form authorizing the work and payment. If this is an insurance claim, Rescue Clean 911 generally collects only the deductible amount and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full at the time of service.

Why You Should Call Now

Rescue Clean 911’s team of certified technicians are on-call 24/7, and will respond quickly no matter when disaster strikes. We understand how critical it is that cleanup begins as soon as possible to limit the damage to your property, and will be there as soon as possible, day or night.