Mold, Fire, and Water Damage FAQ
Water Damage Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my home to dry out after water damage?
There are a lot of factors that go into how long it takes a property to dry out. This includes the location of the water damage, the duration the water was left, the source and type of water, which building materials were exposed, weather conditions, and more.
While there’s no guarantee or established timeline for most homes, we can say in many cases it takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days for a home to completely dry. Still, this depends on many of the factors above and conditions.
How will I know when things have completely dried?
While carpet may feel or look dry, the padding or subfloor could still be wet. We used specialized equipment to detect moisture levels and ensure things are completely dry.
Does turning the heat on/up help with the drying process?
Not necessarily. Our crews work with special equipment to try and maintain an optimal temperature to dry your home quickly. During this time we recommend not changing any HVAC settings as it could delay the drying process
Will I need to replace my wood floors?
Not necessarily. We evaluate both porous and non-porous flooring materials throughout the process to determine if anything needs to be replaced or can be salvaged. Our specialized equipment for drying and dehumidifiers can help save floors, but due to wood density and finished, it could take an extended period for wood to dry and sometimes buckling can occur. You should work with your insurance adjuster to determine if wood floors need to be replaced.
What do I do about wet furniture after water damage?
This really depends on the extent of water damage and type of water involved. You’ll need to wait for the drying process to complete before you can assess damage to your furniture. If any furniture is non-salvageable such as due to black water flood damage, those items will be documented.
Where do I go during the restoration process? Do I have to move out?
Ultimately this is up to you and should be discussed with your insurance adjuster. The first thing to consider is the safety of you and your family. Consider that some equipment may not be safe for children to be around unsupervised, and the equipment can create a great deal of noise while operating. This also makes your home drafty for several days and will interrupt your normal daily living. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to stay elsewhere during the process.
Will the smells go away after the drying process?
Smells are normal during the drying process due to increased humidity and the movement of air. It might swell foreign or “wet”. Don’t confuse the odors with mold. As time passed, the drying continues, and humidity drops, the odors will gradually go away.
Do I need to remove all my things during water damage restoration?
During our inspection, we can recommend which items should be removed. In most cases, your belongings are fine but we’ll give you plenty of notice if something should be moved or removed.
What do I do if my ceilings or walls are wet?
During the inspection, our technicians will evaluate moisture content throughout your home. We may need to remove damaged materials to improve ventilation during the drying process. This may also be done to remove insulation that got wet to prevent mold growth.
Should I keep windows open to help things dry faster?
Our technicians will determine if this is a necessity to assist with the drying process. It’s not always recommend, and depends on the local weather, as we don’t want inclement weather conditions to impact the drying process.
Will I need to replace my carpets and rugs?
There are a number of reasons carpet may need to be replaced, including:
- Stains that cannot be removed
- To salvage hard wood flooring beneath carpet
- The carpet is contaminated by sewage/black water
- Loss of adhesion or delamination (backing separates from carpet fibers)
Rugs are far easier to handle. Provided there’s no permanent damage due to stains or black water/sewage, we take rugs back to our headquarters. There, our technicians use specialized equipment to clean, deodorize, and dry your area rugs.
What about the carpet on my stairs?
Technicians may not necessarily remove stair carpeting to avoid exposing tack strips or staples, which can be dangerous. If the carpet cannot be salvaged, then it will be removed once new carpet is ready to be installed.
Why are air movers and purifiers used by your technicians?
Many of the surfaces of your home are porous, meaning the water can seep into drywall/sheetrock, baseboards and trim, subfloors, etc. To expedite the drying process, we use high velocity air movers to greatly increase the rate at which water evaporates. This minimizes the amount of water that is absorbed by surfaces in your home.
Technicians carefully consider air movement through the home when placing equipment, so it’s best not to move, adjust, or turn off the equipment once it’s operating.
Am I responsible for watching over the drying equipment?
Our technicians are responsible for setting the equipment for optimal drying time and monitoring it. Once the crew leaves your home, please do not make adjustments or turn off power. If any equipment stops working or your home experiences a loss of power, contact us immediately so our team can return and restore the drying process.
What do I do about sewage contamination?
Non-porous surfaces are easily cleaned of contamination and black water with the right equipment and knowledge. If an item cannot be completely sanitized then it will need to be disposed of. This can include porous materials like drywall, insulation, paneling, particle board, or other items directly impacted.
Fire Damage Frequently Asked Questions
How long does restoration from fire damage take?
There are countless variables involved with fires in the home, making it difficult to accurately predict specific restoration times. When our team arrives to assess your home, they’ll review the fire and smoke damage to give you estimated dates of completion and what is involved in restoring your home.
Can I use my HVAC system for heat or air conditioning?
After any kind of event or disaster, it’s not a good idea to operator your HVAC system until it has been inspected and cleared by a licensed and certified HVAC contractor.
What items should I take with me or move from the home?
It’s not necessary to take everything with you, but here are some items you should considering keeping in your possession for convenience, safety, and comfort:
- Cash and cards, including identification
- Any prescription medications you take
- Personal documentation (birth certificate, passport, or other documents insurance may need)
- Valuables (paintings, jewelry)
- Pets
- Weapons and ammunition
- Collectibles
How do I keep track of items that aren’t salvageable?
We recommend making a list of every item that cannot be restored or must be disposed of. Your insurance company should have a form for this, but you can start the process on your own with paper
Should I move out during this restoration process?
This is up to you, but depends largely on the severity of the damage. Keep in mind that during fire damage restoration there is often a great deal of noise, foot traffic, equipment and more that will interrupt your normal living schedule.
Should I move my items to storage?
It may not be necessary to empty your home, but it’s often a good idea to move personal and valuable items to a secure storage facility for safe keeping. It’s also helpful to clear belongings in areas that need to be restored to make room for tools, equipment and replacement materials.
Will I need to hire a general contractor or construction company?
This largely depends on the type of damage to the home. Some items require different contract work like drywall, painting, electrical, replacement plumbing, roog work, flooring, trim carpentry, etc. Your technician will be able to help you determine the severity of damage, along with your insurance company, and if any work with a contractor is needed beyond what ASD Waterworks can provide.
Mold Removal Frequently Asked Questions
What is mold?
Mold is a microscopic fungus that grows in warm, moist places. It’s a necessary part of our ecosystem, but when it grows out of control it can create structural as well as health hazards for you and your family.
Why should I worry about mold in the home?
If mold goes untreated, it can cause significant structural damage and lower the value of your home while continuing to spread and create monumental repair costs. It can make allergies worse, create breathing problems, lead to eye and skin irritation, and even more severe reactions.
How can I tell if mold is growing in my home?
It can be difficult to know if there is mold, especially when it grows in confined spaces or within walls. Water stains, noticeable mold odor, or visible mold growth should trigger a need for an assessment to test your home.
Is there anything I can do to prevent mold growth?
There’s a lot you can do to maintain your home and keep mold from growing out of control:
- Use ventilation for all bathroom spaces and the kitchen
- Keep humidity below 60%
- Use dehumidifiers during warm/humid months
- Keep dryer vents clear and venting outside the home
- Regularly check pipes, windows and your roof for leaks
General Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for a technician to get to my home?
At ASD Waterworks, we have a 60-minute guaranteed response time for homeowners living in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, and Monroe counties. Once we receive your call, you’ll have a technician to your home in an hour or less.
Do they start working right away?
We can begin mitigation and restoration immediately for fire, smoke, water and mold issues. Once the technician completes their assessment, they can get to work with the equipment they have on hand to get your emergency under control fast.
Who is responsible for paying for the services?
Ultimately, you are as the homeowner. You may be able to claim some or all of the damages with your insurance company. However, you will need to sign that you accept the responsibility of paying for services rendered by ASD Waterworks.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the arrival of the technicians from ASD Waterworks?
If you have the ability to stop water sources in the event flooding or water damage, without putting yourself at risk, you can. Otherwise, it’s best to leave the work to the technicians. We’ll get to you quickly to help limit potential damage and can begin working as soon as emergency services (in the event of fire damage) have provided clearance for entry.
Will ASD Waterworks help with insurance claim issues?
Our team can help you with gathering the necessary information for filing a claim with your insurance provider. We’re more than happy to help you get back to normal as quickly as possible.
What if I need a contractor or other professional service but don’t know who to choose?
With more than 27 years in business, we’ve had the pleasure of working with some of southeast Michigan’s finest contractors in various industries. If you’re not sure who to turn to for certain work, we can make referrals to help you find a trusted contractor.