Often times attempting to tackle the problem yourself only compounds the issue because it’s difficult to get a sense of the scope of the damage. The most crucial part of water damage restoration is the drying process. After the dry-out has been completed by our technicians, you may decide to repair the rest yourself. However, we have professionally trained and certified technicians that would be happy to assist you in the restoration process.

• Cut off power supply
• Turn off water supply
• Turn off gas supply
• Determine structural stability
• Use protective gear
• Beware of animals

Lock and secure your property to prevent looters or curious passerbys. Keep in mind that although you may have an alarm system, it may have malfunctioned. If your home or business has severe water damage, it may be necessary to contact local authorities to secure the property.

In the right conditions, it only takes two days for mold to start growing in wet or damp places. As an example, have you ever picked up a wet towel that was laying on the floor for a few days? It smells terrible! As a result of the damp warm conditions, mold is starting to grow on the towel. Therefore, flooding from any source causes the flooring, walls, and furniture to get wet. Consequently, the potential for mold can take hold. If the source of water damage is overflowing sewage or outside water from flooding coming into a building, this subsequently causes deadly bacteria and viruses to grow. 

Not necessarily. This question is best answered case by case, because it depends on several different factors. Usually we can save the carpet from replacement, however in the event of a sewage back-up, any material that has been touched by the water must be disposed of, including carpet.

After consulting with professionals, this is ultimately your decision. If the area is safe, you may decide to stay. Be sure to also consider odors, access to electricity, noise from equipment, and the needs of small children. If you are vacating your home consider the following: forward your mail to your temporary residence, stop deliveries, notify utility company, telephone company etc. of temporary suspension of services.

It’s important to keep track of your non-restorable items for personal and insurance reasons. We recommend making a list of all items (including food items) that have been deemed non-restorable. It is advised to keep at least two copies on hand—one for yourself as well as your insurance company.

Most buildings average 3 days or less to dry. It’s also important to remember that all structures are different, so the drying time will also depend on the size and extent of damage.

Because documentation, coding, and negotiation play such a large role in your claim, it’s important to hire the right restoration company, one who upholds the standard of care set by IICRC. Commercial Cleaning and Restoration is a member of the IICRC and has over 36 years of restoration experience.

The remediation and repair process is extensive because of the very nature of water – it penetrates, warps, and weakens every surface it comes in extended contact with. It also can cause mold growth, which affects air quality. Your insurance company, restoration company, and hygienist (air quality control specialist) must make certain that damage is properly resolved to prevent any secondary damage to your property or health.

It’s our responsibility to thoroughly document what we’re doing and why, so your insurance company is confident that 1) all decisions and actions are based on facts and 2) all efforts serve to permanently resolve the problem. Therefore, we take photos, measurements, tests for moisture content, and/or tests for air quality throughout the remediation process, as needed.

Commercial Cleaning and Restoration is a licensed, registered General Contractor. We are able to complete the remediation work and the majority of repairs in house. If you wish to have a specialty product or upgrade (e.g., granite countertops), we have vendors we can recommend to you. Your project manager will also review with you how any additional contracted work fits within your project’s estimated timeline. Other contractors may needed for HVAC, electrical, and other specializations.