Frequently Asked Questions

YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE CLAIMS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE FIRST 24-48 HRS AFTER DISCOVERING A WATER LOSS IN YOUR HOME. FIRST HOWEVER YOU SHOULD CONTACT A WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION OR MITIGATION COMPANY, TO BEGIN CLEANING UP THE WATER DAMAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE FASTER A MITIGATION/RESTORATION COMPANY CAN GET TO THE HOUSE, THE MORE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE CAN BE PREVENTED.

- Stop the Water. Water can come from numerous sources, which may require you to, turn off the main water supply to the house, drain water away from the foundation of the house, unclog gutters and downspouts, tarp the roof, and/or seal cracks, gaps and crevasses.
- Contact a mitigation or restoration company. The initial purpose of a mitigation/restoration company is to clean up and dry the house/structure, in order to get it ready for reconstruction.
- Contact your insurance company. Your insurance company is the sole determining factor, regarding coverage or no coverage for your claim.

- Access the damage. The water damage restoration expert is best qualified to evaluate the degree to which the water damaged your home.
- Remove water from your home. The water damage professional will bring in the necessary pumps, vacuums and other tools used to remove all of the water.
- Dry your home. Once all of the standing water and absorbing parts of your house are removed, your restoration experts will bring in the drying and dehumidifying equipment. Removing the visible water is only the first step. The process of drying the water you can't see, but is most certainly there, can/may take a few weeks to complete.
- Clean everything. All remaining items of the structure, personal belongings and anything you want to salvage need to be scrubbed, cleaned and disinfected to prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria growth from appearing.

- THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME A WATER LOSS TAKES TO DRY OUT OR CLEAN UP. THIS PROCESS CAN RANGE ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE DAYS TO A COUPLE WEEKS. THE FACTORS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME ARE SOURCE OF THE WATER, DURATION OF THE LEAK, VOLUME OF WATER, AND MATERIALS AFFECTED.

We hold certifications through the IICRC for Water Damage Restoration, Applied Structural Drying, Applied Microbial Remediation, Odor Control, and Trauma and Crime Scene. CCB# 226674 for Residential General Contractor

No 2 losses are the same. Costs can range from $1,000 - $30,000+. There are numerous factors that can contribute to the cost of water damage, from the location of the loss to the type of water which caused the loss. Damage to a kitchen is naturally going to cost more that water damage to a bedroom. Water damage from a clean water source, with the duration of an hour is going to cost significantly less than if a pipe ruptured in the house while away on vacation.

There are 3 Basic Categories of Water. Time and temperature can also affect the quality of water, thereby changing its category.
Category 1 originates from a sanitary source and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it comes into contact with other surfaces or materials.
Category 2 contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).
Category 3 is grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances.

The 4 Primary Classifications of Water Damage
Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.
Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches. There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.
Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead. Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushion and subfloor in virtually all of the entire area are saturated.
Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

Yes, but not always. Under the right conditions, mold can begin to grow and spread in a matter of 24 to 48 hours. Different factors play a part in water damage contributing to mold growth. In short if water/moisture is mitigated promptly, mold growth should be minimal at best. If water/moisture has been present for a period of time, growth will be more likely.

Water damage occurs when excess water begins to collect in areas where it shouldn't. Many different factors can create this excess water and thereby contribute to water damage. When you are aware of the potential causes, you can take precautionary measures to help prevent a potential water loss. The quicker you notice a potential problem; the less work a water damage restoration company will have to do.

Causes of water damage include:
· Bursting or leaking pipes (drain lines and pressurized lines)
- Issues with the plumbing system (failed water heater, toilet bowl overflow, sink or bathtub overflow)
- Buildup in areas prone to collecting water, such as crawl spaces, attics, basements, and around the perimeter of the home
· Faulty or malfunctioning household appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, and refrigerator)
· HVACs (Heating, ventilating and air conditioning units) issues
· Natural disasters and other weather-related water problems
· Roof leaks and general maintenance (cracks and gaps around the house)

- Check for signs of damage under the sink. One of the most common areas for water leaks in the home is under the sink. Check under the sink on a frequent basis to spot any standing water, water stains, condensation, or musty odors. Keeping the areas under your sinks organized will help you spot problems sooner. Let water run down your drain and check your pipes and seals for small leaks. Never ignore small or slow leaks under your sink, as small leaks can lead to big problems. Leaks will not fix themselves, and will almost always get worse.
- Check the Walls for Signs of Water Damage. Pipes in your home are hidden in your walls, below the floor, or in the attic, and when there is a small leak it may be difficult to detect. Over time, water damage tucked behind these areas will make itself evident through staining/discoloration or soft spots in the drywall.
- Spot mold and mildew growth. Water is often the last ingredient needed for mold growth to occur in our Oregon homes. Visible mold growth or a musty smell in an area where you suspect potential water damage is often an indicator that there is a problem somewhere in the area. Unexplained mold growth should never be ignored, nor should a strong musty odor that is also indicative of mold growth.