Frequently asked questions

An independent restoration contractor that serves your area, or a call service that connects you with one. This site doesn't employ technicians or do the work itself. See how it works.

No. You pay nothing to this site. The contractor gives you its own price, and you decide whether to hire it.

Yes. Calls about fire and smoke damage and about mold are connected the same way, to an independent contractor that handles that work.

Columbus and the nearby cities of Dublin, Hilliard, Gahanna, Upper Arlington, Reynoldsburg and Worthington. Call and say your ZIP code.

That depends on your policy and the cause. Sewer backup coverage, for example, often has to be added to a standard policy. Talk to your insurer or agent; this site can't tell you what is covered. See insurance basics for Ohio homeowners.

Sometimes. In Columbus, replacing more than 32 square feet of drywall needs a permit and plan review; new flooring and painting don't (city sheet). The suburbs run their own building departments; see the area pages.

Often around three to five days of equipment running for a typical room with clean water, longer for basements, hardwood floors, plaster walls or water that sat for a while. The moisture readings, not the calendar, decide when drying is finished.

Small spills on hard floors, yes. Once water has soaked into carpet pad, drywall or a subfloor, household fans rarely dry it fully, and hidden moisture can lead to mold. A contractor's moisture meter tells you what is still wet.

If water is near outlets, cords or the electrical panel, or the panel is in a wet basement, don't walk into the water. Turn off power at the breaker only if you can reach it from a dry spot; otherwise call the utility or an electrician first.

It depends on the cause and your policy. Many standard policies treat a sudden pipe burst differently from groundwater seepage, surface flooding or a sewer backup, which may need separate coverage. Read your policy or ask your agent; see the insurance basics page.

Then treat it as a possible sewer backup until you know otherwise: keep children and pets away, don't run water or flush, and tell the contractor. Sewage needs a different cleanup from clean water. See sewage backup cleanup.

Only if the old one failed or can't keep up. Many contractors who dry basements can also tell you whether the pump, check valve or discharge line was the problem, or refer you to a plumber or waterproofing company.

In most Columbus-area homes with basements it is where the water line comes through the foundation wall, near the water meter. In homes on a slab it may be in a utility closet, the garage or near the water heater. Find it before you need it.

If it froze because it runs through a cold wall, crawl space or garage, it can freeze again. Ask the plumber about insulating or rerouting it, and keep cabinet doors open on very cold nights so warm air reaches pipes under sinks.

Shut off the water first. Then call both: the plumber fixes the pipe, the restoration contractor removes the water and dries the house. Drying should start quickly, even if the pipe repair has to wait a day.

Generally no. Carpet and pad soaked by sewage are removed and discarded. Hard flooring, concrete and some furniture with hard surfaces can usually be cleaned and sanitized.

Often only if your policy has a water or sewer backup endorsement, which many standard policies don't include by default. Check your policy; see insurance basics.

Ask a plumber whether your line has roots, a sag or a blockage, and about a backflow prevention device or standpipe for the floor drain. The City of Columbus has a program for some homeowners; see the Columbus section on this page.

Yes, air movers and dehumidifiers make steady noise and warm the room. Most people keep the doors closed and sleep elsewhere in the house if they can.

Ask the contractor before you do. Drying works because the equipment runs continuously; switching it off slows drying and can let moisture settle back in.

Small holes or a strip removed at the bottom let air into the cavity behind the wall, where water collects on the bottom plate. It is usually quicker and cheaper than replacing whole sheets later.

A roofing contractor. Restoration contractors dry and repair the inside of the house; some arrange a tarp or work with roofers. Ask when you call.

Fiberglass batts can sometimes dry if they were only damp. Blown-in cellulose that got soaked usually packs down and is removed and replaced.

Usually through better attic insulation and ventilation so the roof stays cold, and by keeping gutters clear. A roofer or insulation contractor can look at your attic.

Usually, yes, but it takes more than air fresheners: soot is cleaned off surfaces, contents are cleaned or removed, and the air and structure are deodorized. Lingering odor often means soot is still somewhere, such as in the ductwork.

Almost always. Firefighting uses a lot of water, and it needs extracting and drying like any other water damage, or it leads to mold.

Many contents can be cleaned. Fire restoration companies often pack out belongings to clean them off-site, and list what can't be saved. Ask how they handle contents.

The EPA's general guidance is that a homeowner can often handle a small area, roughly 10 square feet or less, if the moisture problem is fixed and they take precautions; larger areas, mold in the HVAC system or mold after sewage are better left to a professional. See the EPA guide to mold and moisture.

Not always. If mold is visible, the priority is removing it and fixing the moisture. Testing can help when you smell mold but can't find it, or to check the result after remediation. Ask the contractor what they recommend and why.

Bleach on porous materials like drywall doesn't reach the roots and adds moisture. Moldy drywall and insulation are removed; hard surfaces are cleaned with detergent and water.