Water, Fire and Mold Damage Questions

We can often be on site within a few hours. While you wait, shut off the water if it is safe. Turn off power to the area only if you can reach the panel without standing in water. Move valuables up and out of the way.

Stop the source if you can. For a plumbing leak, shut off the main water valve. For a toilet or appliance, close its supply valve. Stay out of water that may touch outlets or cords. Take photos, then call us and your insurance company.

Yes. A real person answers the phone 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.

Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan and the townships around them, the rest of Washtenaw County, and Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. See areas we serve.

It depends on how much water there was, how long it sat and what got wet. Many jobs take several days. We check readings every day. Materials are dry when they read the same as dry parts of the house, not when they feel dry.

For a small spill on a hard floor caught now, maybe. Once water soaks carpet pad, drywall or subfloor, or gets under cabinets, house fans are too slow. The hidden water can lead to mold and warped floors.

Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials. So the water needs to come out quickly. See mold remediation.

Yes. It can carry bacteria. Do not touch it, and keep children and pets away. See sewage backup cleanup.

Often, if the damage was sudden, like a burst pipe or a failed supply line. Slow leaks, surface flooding or sewer backup may not be covered unless you have flood insurance or a sewer and drain backup add-on. Only your policy and your insurance company can answer for your case.

In general, you can choose who works on your home. Ask your insurance company how they handle it and what they need from you.

Protect the house first. Stop the water and call for help. Most policies expect you to prevent more damage. Then tell your insurance company as soon as you can.

Take photos and video of every damaged area before cleanup, the source of the water or fire, and damaged belongings. Keep receipts for emergency costs. Keep damaged items until your adjuster says otherwise, unless they are a health hazard.

Often, yes, if cleaning starts soon. Soot is acidic and gets harder to remove over time. Do not wipe it yourself, because it smears. See fire and smoke damage.

Often, yes. We clean clothes and other textiles in commercial washers or with dry cleaning, then deodorize them. See contents cleaning and pack-out.

No. Unplug them and leave them off until they are checked. Turning them on can short them out. See electronics cleaning.

Not always. If you can see the mold and you know where the water came from, removal can usually start without testing. Testing helps when there is a musty smell but no visible mold. See mold testing.

Stay out if the water may touch anything electrical. Once it is safe, the water needs to come out and the basement needs to dry. A battery backup pump and a water alarm help prevent it next time. See basement flooding cleanup.

Keep the heat steady. Open sink cabinets on outside walls during cold snaps. Let a faucet drip on the coldest nights. Shut off and drain outdoor faucets in the fall. See burst and frozen pipes.