People ask these before they call.
Grouped by topic. If the answer you need isn't here, call and ask. You'll get a straight answer, or an honest "we won't know until we see it".
Emergency response
How soon can you get here?
We tell you on the call, once we know where you are and what's happening. Staying inside Miami-Dade County is what keeps that answer short. If we can't get to you when you need us, we'll say so on the phone rather than take the job.
Are you really available 24/7?
Yes. Nights, weekends, and holidays included. If we're already committed to another job when you call, you'll be told that on the call rather than left waiting.
What should I do first when water is spreading?
Shut the water off at the house-side main valve if you can reach it safely. Cut power to the affected rooms at the breaker rather than walking into standing water near outlets. Photograph everything before moving it. Then call.
Can I send photos before you arrive?
Yes, on WhatsApp. It helps. Seeing the room means we arrive with the right equipment instead of making a second trip.
Water damage and drying
How long does drying take?
It depends on what got wet, how wet it is, and what the materials are. Drywall gives water up quickly. Hardwood, plaster, and a concrete slab hold it much longer, and Miami's humidity works against all of it. We set a target for each material on the first visit and take readings against it every day, and the readings are what end the job.
Can wet drywall be saved?
Often, on clean water caught early. We dry inside the wall cavity rather than opening it up, which the trade calls cavity drying. Water that has run through something dirty, wet insulation, or material already showing growth means removal instead. We tell you which case you're in, and why, before anything is cut.
Does the equipment have to run continuously?
Yes. Drying stops the moment equipment goes off, and interrupted drying is the most common reason a job runs long. It's loud. We place units to keep bedrooms as usable as we can.
What does dry standard mean?
The moisture content of an affected material has returned to match an equivalent unaffected material in the same building. That reference reading is taken on day one. Miss it and there's nothing left to measure against.
Mold
How quickly does mold grow after water damage?
Under Miami conditions, growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours on paper-faced drywall, wood, and settled dust. Tell us when the material got wet and we'll tell you where you stand. Drying a room properly in the first couple of days is what keeps it from becoming a mold job at all.
Do you test for mold as well as remove it?
We remediate but we don't test. Florida licenses mold assessment and mold remediation separately, so on most projects the company that tests isn't the company that cleans, and testing is an independent licensed assessor's work. Tell us what you can see and we'll tell you plainly whether you need an assessor, a plumber, or us for the water feeding it. No referral compensation passes in either direction.
Can I clean mold myself with bleach?
On a small area of hard, non-porous surface, cleaning is reasonable. On drywall or wood it's not. Bleach is mostly water, it doesn't penetrate porous material, and it adds moisture to the very material feeding the growth.
Is mold covered by my insurance?
Sometimes, usually with a cap. Coverage generally applies where mold results from a covered sudden loss reported promptly. Mold from long-term humidity or deferred maintenance is excluded.
Sewage and biohazard
Why can't sewage water just be dried?
Because it isn't clean water. Sewage carries bacteria, so the drying standard treats it as the most contaminated class it has, which it calls Category 3. Anything porous that soaked it up comes out, the room stays sealed off while we work, what's left is cleaned, and then it's dried and metered like any other loss. Drying a contaminated wall cavity without taking out what's in it moves the problem into the air.
Is sewage backup covered?
Many Florida homeowners policies exclude sewer and drain backup unless you carry a specific endorsement, which is usually inexpensive. A backup caused by a covered plumbing failure inside the home can be treated differently.
Cost and insurance
What does the assessment cost?
Our onsite evaluation for water damage is free, and before any equipment goes in we walk you through what we're doing and why. For anything else, we'll tell you on the call what the visit involves and what it costs, before we come out.
Will you bill my insurer directly?
No. We don't take an assignment of your benefits and we don't bill your carrier directly, so your claim stays in your name and so does the payment. Payment terms with us are agreed in writing before work begins, and how much your policy covers, and how the money reaches you, depends on your carrier and your claim.
Should I file a claim for a small loss?
Not always. If the cost of the work is close to your deductible, filing can cost more in future premium than it returns. Our written estimate means you're deciding with a number in front of you rather than a guess.
About the company
You're a new company. Why should I trust you?
Because the standard we work to isn't ours, and because a new company can't afford one bad review. Hold us to the moisture logs. Ask for them daily. That's the check that matters.
Do you do the repairs afterwards?
No. We dry and clean, then hand over a repairable surface with a documented scope.
What areas do you cover?
Miami-Dade County only. If you're outside the county we'll tell you on the phone, rather than take the job and turn up long after you needed us.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. IICRC certified for water restoration and applied structural drying, licensed as a Florida mold remediator, with liability and workers compensation cover. Certificates available the same day.