Water damage can manifest in many ways. One of the most common signs of water damage is swelling or warping of floors and baseboards, or visible damp spots or wicking on walls and ceilings. If water damage persists for more than 48 hours, mold growth can occur.
Water damage restoration is a multi-step process. First, we remove as much water as possible using extraction equipment. Water damaged materials are removed, and fans and dehumidifers are brought in to dry the remaining materials in place. Once everything is dry, repairs are often necessary to return your property back to normal.
We’ll dispatch a crew to your home as soon as possible to begin extracting water and setting up drying equipment. The fans and dehumidifiers may need to remain in place for several days. A certified water damage technician will regularly check humidity and moisture levels to ensure proper drying. We will work directly with your insurance company, and will provide all the documentation needed for your insurance claim.
The total cost of water damage restoration will depend greatly on the extent of the damage, the materials that need to be replaced, as well as the labor required for repairs. If your loss is covered by insurance, we will work directly with your insurance company on your claim.
There are three primary causes of water damage:
Water damage is not always visible, but there are signs you can check for in your home. Watch for swelling, peeling, or bubbling paint, warped flooring, soft or cool spots on walls, mildew odors, and mold growth.
At the first indication of water damage, call a local restoration company immediately. While you wait for them to arrive, if it is safe to do so, turn off power at the breaker box and begin removing or mopping up water, improve air circulation, and remove undamaged items to a safe area.
When you first notice water damage, you must do your best to air out the property. Turn on any fans, open the windows, and crank up the air conditioning system. You can mop up as much of the standing water as possible.
Your best option is to call a local restoration company immediately. The sooner you call, the sooner we can respond to your water damage.
Before hiring a restoration company, you want to be sure they are certified, licensed, and insured. Many people rely on recommendations from friends or family as well as online reviews.
You do not have to hire the restoration company you insurance company prefers. You have the right to choose the restoration company you want to perform mitigation and repairs.
It depends. Some types of water damage are not covered by insurance, so you’ll want to review your policy and your deductible to determine if it makes sense for you.
When filing an insurance claim, you will need to provide documentation for the loss. We will work directly with your insurance on your claim.
The best, safest, and fastest way to remove standing water is to call a professional restoration company.
In most cases, DIY methods can take too long, causing additional damage and putting your property at risk for mold growth. We use heavy-duty pumps, extraction equipment, fans, and dehumidifers to quickly remove water from your home.
The best way to remove standing water is by calling in a professional restoration company. We use heavy-duty equipment, including water pumps and wet vacuums, to quickly remove standing water from your home.
How long it takes to cleanup and restore your property depends on the size of the fire, type of fire, and the extent of the damage.
Typically, fire damage cleanup takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Repairs can begin after damaged materials are removed, smoke and soot are removed, and your personal belongings are removed for contents restoration.
It is not recommended that you enter your property until it is safe to do so. Our professional team is skilled and equipped to enter fire-damaged buildings.
Your belongings will be inventoried and packed out to be cleaned at a contents cleaning facility.
Even if you just had a small fire, it is always best to call in a professional for help. Because smoke and soot damage can be extensive, remaining smoke and soot residues can cause discoloration, staining, etching, and corrosion, as well as odors.
It’s important to ensure your property is thoroughly clean. Our professional team can quickly remove and neutralize smoke and soot particles, mitigating the damage.
The fire damage restoration process includes contents cleaning and restoration. A specially trained team will packout, inventory, and document each item in the home. The items are then transported to a contents cleaning facility where they will be cleaned and re-packed for storage until your home is restored.
The fire department will usually make a determination about the structural integrity of your property after a fire. There are numerous other hazards including smoke contamination, water damage, and weakened structural supports that can make your property unsafe.
In most cases, you won’t have much time to grab important documents or items before evacuating your home during a fire.
Keep important documents in a fire-proof safe, and keep a backup digitally.
During the restoration process, our team will salvage and restore as many items we can during our cleanup.
Items that cannot be cleaned and restored will be fully documented for your insurnce claim. We will maintain a complete inventory list and document the condition of the item.
We will work with you to communicate which items are not salvageable. We will coordinate disposal of those items.
Some items are simply irreplaceable, and we will do our best to save those items after a fire. Please let us know if there are any items with special meaning or value, where you believe the items are located, and a detailed description of the items.
The homeowner or property owner is responsible for payment. If the loss is covered by your insurance and you file an insurance claim, you will be responsible for your insurance deductible. We will work directly with your insurance company to coordinate cleanup and repairs.
It depends on your individual circumstances and the extent of the fire. If the damage to your property is cosmetic, you may opt to pay for services out of pocket. Or if you have a high deductible and want to avoid premium increases, you may find it more cost-effective to not file an insurance claim.
If damage is severe, the costs to repair your property may be more than you can afford to pay out of pocket, and you will need to submit an insurance claim. We can help you evaluate your options and provide an estimate for repairs.
Yes, we work will all insurers. We will be available to the isnurance adjuster throughout the process to ensure your claim is fully documented and there are no delays.
Asbestos and lead are common in older homes and a fire can lead to contamination. We are equipped to handle asbestos and lead conatamination and will work to restore a safe environment.
After a fire, many homeowners opt to update or remodel their home during the reconstruction phase. Insurance typically covers replacement costs and not upgrades, so the homeowner is usually responsible for any additional costs. We will work with you to ensure your property is restored exactly as you wish.
Technically, mildew is a type of mold growth that occurs on hard, flat surfaces such as a shower wall. Because mildew grows on non-porous surfaces, it can easily be removed.
Mold grows on organic, porous materials like walls, paper, clothing, and food. It is more difficult to remove and can easily spread through airborne mold spores.
Generally, mold is green or black, considered to be dangerous to your health, and spreads quickly with humidity and moisture. As for mildew, it is relatively gray in color and easily removed with household cleaning products.
Mold comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Mold grow will appear as a raised surface, and is usually black or green in color. It’s important to note that all molds are bad, and you cannot determine the type of mold based on color and appearance alone.
How much it costs to remediate mold will depend on the size of the area impacted, the amount of mold present, how long it has been there, and whether repairs will be necessary to replace damaged materials. We can provide an estimate after conducting an a assessment.
Under the right conditions, mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 hours after the introduction of water or moisture. It will continue to grow and spread as long as conditions remain favorable.
Generally, if the area of mold growth is less than 10 sq. ft. and there is no water damage or moisture concerns, you may be able to handle the job yourself.
But if you do not know what factors contributed to the mold growth, you have recurring mold problems, you are experiencing water damage, or the area is large or covers multiple areas, you should call a mold remediation professional. We will identify the cause of the mold, safely clean contaminated areas, and take steps to prevent it from returning.
Mold removal can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It will depend on the size of the area, the extent of the growth, and if there are any underlying issues like water damage that will need to be addressed. We can provide a more accurate assessment after an inspection.
Mold growth often occurs in hidden or difficult to access areas. We will conduct a visual inspection and test materials for moisture content to identify areas where mold could be growing. Air sampling can also confirm the presence of mold.
Mold is a known allergen and can cause significant discomfort and illness for sensitive persons. Common symptoms including nasal congestion, headaches, rash or skin irritation, difficulting breathing, and respiratory illness.
Restoration 1 of Des Moines provides 24/7 service for water damage, fire damage, and storm damage for residential and commercial properties. Our team is certified by the IICRC and follows all industry standards to ensure our customers receive the best care.
Serving Ames, the Des Moines Metro Area, and surrounding areas, we are locally operated and ready to respond as soon as possible to your property damage emergency.
Proudly serving Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, Waukee, Altoona, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Grimes, Johnston, Bondurant, Granger, Pleasant Hills, Windsor Heights, and surrounding areas.
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