Water damage questions from Montgomery homeowners and building managers
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do in the first hour, how drying and mold work, what the crew records for an insurer, and how the scope and price are set. Calls are answered 24/7, and a technician is sent as soon as one is free.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Flash flood and storm water
- Scope explained before work starts
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The first hour
Should I walk into standing water to move things?
No. Standing water can hide outlets, cords and holes in the floor. Keep out of it until the power is settled, and move items only from dry ground.
Should I shut off the power to the whole house?
Shut off the circuits to the affected rooms at the panel only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. If you cannot, call the utility or the emergency number first.
Where is the main water shut-off?
Often near the water meter, where the line enters the house, or in a utility closet. If you cannot find it, the technician can help you locate it on the call.
What should I photograph?
The water line on each wall, the depth on a step or doorframe, the wet rooms and the damaged items, all before anything is moved.
Drying and mold
How do I know when a room is dry?
A technician reads it with a moisture meter on the same points on each visit and compares the numbers with the dry target set at the start. A surface that feels dry is not enough.
Will mold start in a flood-wet room?
It can, when wet materials stay damp. Drying promptly lowers the risk, and any growth that appears is cleaned once the moisture behind it has been removed.
Can I run my own fans to speed the drying?
Fans set in the wrong place can push moisture into a new area. Ask the technician where extra equipment should go before you run it.
Records and insurance
Should I call the insurer before or after the crew?
The Alabama Department of Insurance asks consumers to contact the insurer first. Call the restoration line promptly as well, because drying is time sensitive.
Will the crew give me records for the claim?
Yes. Photographs, moisture readings, the drying log, the scope and the list of removed materials are given to you. The insurer decides what is covered.
What should I keep?
Keep the scope, the readings, the photographs, the removed-materials list, every invoice and every note of your calls with the insurer.
Scope and price
Can I get a price on the phone?
No figure is given before the damage has been seen. The scope and price are explained and approved on site before any equipment is set up.
What makes the scope bigger?
The amount of water, how long it stood, the materials it reached, the number of rooms and the amount of drying needed. Each one is written into the scope.
Who does the plumbing or roof repair?
The trade that owns that work does it. The restoration crew shows the trade where the water came from so the repair can be planned without a second survey.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.