FAQs
Q? Why should I use ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. for my water damage restoration?
We have been in business since 2012 and are not only a trained and experienced Water Damage Restoration company, but are licensed General Contractors. We take great care during the dry-out process to protect and preserve your home’s contents and personal property. We also digitally document all aspects of our work beginning with the dry-out. Because we may be doing the restoration work on your home, we are very careful preserve cabinets and other fixtures that may be saved and replaced.
Q? I have water on my floors! What should I do?
Call us toll free at 855-88-FIRST 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!
- Disconnect or unplug any electrical devices on the floor.
- If there is water dripping from ceiling light fixtures, turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
- Remove as much of your furniture and contents as you can comfortably move yourself.
We should arrive within the hour to start the drying process.
Q? Why should I use an IICRC Certified Restoration company?
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) set the standards for water damage restoration. ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. is certified by the IICRC to perform water damage restoration. Our technicians have been trained and certified by the IICRC and will professionally dry and restore your home.
Q? Will mold or mildew be a problem?
By quickly responding, using professional drying equipment, and safe, EPA approved antimicrobial products, we can prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
Q? Is the water in my house a risk to my health?
Water in your home is usually categorized as follows:
Clean water: This is water from your home’s plumbing system. Sources for this water include you sinks, water heater and washing machine. This water is generally clean and poses little risk.
Gray water – This water might come from your dishwasher or bathtub and can cause illness.
Black water – This water is highly contaminated and usually comes from the toilet or sewer system. This water is dangerous to your health and all surfaces that contact black water must be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected or in most cases replaced.
Q? How do you treat contaminated water from the toilet or sewer?
Most hard surfaces like tile and vinyl can be cleaned and sanitized. Porous materials like drywall, insulation, particle-board, and paneling normally are removed.
Q? How do you dry hardwood floors?
We use a commercial drying system designed specifically to dry hardwood floors. If we cannot dry your hardwood floors we will remove the damaged wood and dry the sub-floor prior replacing the hardwood.
Q? Is water damage covered by my insurance?
Usually, yes. Most insurance policies cover the cost of water damage restoration. Read your policy or ask your insurance agent about coverage and deductibles.
Q? Can I turn off the equipment at night?
No, we ask you to leave the equipment running 24 hours a day. If you turn off the equipment off at night, the drying process is interrupted and it will ultimately take longer to properly dry your home. Fast drying of your home also reduces the chance of mold and mildew growth.
Q? Why does it feel so dry in my house?
Near the end of the drying process the indoor air will feel warm and dry. Your indoor plants may need additional watering.
Q? Do you guarantee your work?
Yes, we guarantee, in writing, our workmanship for 5 years. Any materials we use are usually guaranteed by the manufacturer for one year, and we honor that guarantee.
Q? Can I make changes or upgrades during the repair process?
Yes you can. Your insurance company will pay for repairs and replacement of, “like, kind, and quality.” If you choose to do upgrades, you would pay the difference yourself.
Q? Why is there a bad odor in my home during the drying process?
Water on your carpets and in the pad can activate odors. This can be caused by dried pet urine, dirt, food or other sources of contamination. After the drying portion of the restoration, your carpets will either be replaced or we will have them professionally cleaned and deodorized.
Q? Are any of the chemicals used harmful to my pets?
We use only safe, EPA approved products in your home.
Q? Do I contact a contractor or does ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. perform general contracting work?
You can hire us to perform any repairs that may need to be performed. If you choose to have someone else do the repairs, you are responsible to hire a contractor yourself.
Q? When will I hear from my insurance company?
Often the adjuster will wait until the dry-out process is complete in order to be able to assess damages. Other times because of our relationship with the adjuster, they may rely on our photos and scope of repairs without doing an inspection of their own.
Q? Do I have to move out of my home during the dry out process?
You can usually stay in your home depending on the areas that are affected. You may lose the use of a bathroom, kitchen, etc. If you need to move out temporarily, your insurance company may pay your expenses.
Q? Will you need to enter my home while I am gone?
We would like to monitor your home every day. With your permission, we will provide a lock box with your house key so we can do our job when you are away. All of our team at ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. is licensed, insured, bonded, background checked and drug tested.
Q? Will my electric bill go up because of the drying equipment?
We use modern energy efficient drying equipment. Below is an approximate cost for each piece of equipment. (Cost varies depending on your electric rates)
HEPA Air Filters $1.00 per day
LARGE AIR MOVER $ 0.75 per day
SMALL DEHUMIDIFIER $ 1.25 per day
LARGE DEHUMIDIFIER $ 1.75 per day
Many times these costs are covered by your insurance company.
Q? Do you use any products to prevent mold and mildew?
We use Microban, an EPA approved antimicrobial. This product safely inhibits the growth of microorganisms. It is safe to use near children and pets.
Q? How often will you monitor the drying?
We will make a service call every day to check the progress of the drying. We may add or remove equipment. We also document the moisture, humidity and temperature.
Q? What are my responsibilities during the dry-out process?
We ask you to notify us if a circuit breaker trips and the drying equipment shuts off so that we can come out immediately and restart the drying process.
Q? If my home and contents can’t be dried, will they be replaced?
After the dry-out process has been completed, we will be able to determine what is damaged beyond repair. We will then submit an estimate of repairs to your insurance adjuster for approval.
Q? How long does the dry out take?
The average dry-out takes between 2 to 5 days. If the structure has been exposed to water over a long period of time it may take longer.
Q? What is restorative drying?
In simple terms, restorative drying focuses on saving what can reasonably be saved and completely drying the structure. We then perform repairs to the structure, restoring it to pre-loss condition.
Q? What is going to happen with my damaged furniture and or contents?
We will do our best to save your furniture and contents. If we cannot save your items we will set them aside to be itemized and photographed. We will provide this documentation to your insurance co.
Q? Will my insurance company cancel me now that I have made a claim?
Not necessarily, but it is important to check with your individual insurance company adjuster to understand how a claim will affect your policy.
Q? Can I do the repairs myself?
The most critical part of water damage is the drying process. After the dry-out has been completed by our trained and certified technicians you may want to do the repairs yourself. We can bill your insurance company for the emergency repairs separately. However, ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. is a Washington State licensed general contractor (#CASCARS868DC) and has a team of qualified repair specialists available to complete the job for you.
Q? The equipment you have running is making the home feel warm and humid. Can I open a window or door to let in fresh air?
Our equipment is removing water from the structure and making it airborne. This evaporation causes the air to feel wetter. We monitor the conditions indoors and out. We may open some windows if the conditions outside will help in the drying process. Otherwise, by using our commercial dehumidifiers you will notice much dryer conditions in 24 to 48 hours.
Q? How do you know if everything is dry?
We use state of the art moisture detecting technology to specifically check for proper moisture content. We will not begin to repair or replace any areas until the structure is completely dry.
Q? Do I need to do anything with the drying equipment?
The equipment we use is designed to safely run for 24 hours a day. If you hear or smell anything which seems abnormal, please unplug the equipment and call us immediately at855-88-FIRST. We will be checking all equipment and dry out progress on a regular basis.
Q? How will making a claim affect my insurance?
It is always best to check with your insurance company about the details of how a claim will affect your policy.
Q? Do I need to call my insurance company first?
Not Necessarily. Your insurance company would prefer that you try to minimize the damage to your home and contents. We recommend that you call an emergency restoration company immediately. If professional water damage restoration is started immediately, damage can be minimized, thus decreasing restoration costs. You should still call your insurance company to make a claim, but you should not wait for an adjuster or claim representative to arrive before calling a professional water damage restoration company.
Q? Can you explain how the drying out process works?
Air movers push air across carpets, floors, walls and all areas of your home and this air movement changes water into an air-born vapor. This water vapor is then removed from the air by dehumidifiers and converted back into a liquid state and pumped out of your home.
Q? Can I get an estimate before you begin the dry-out?
It is extremely difficult to give an accurate estimate before starting the drying process. We will give a good-faith professional estimate and then update you if we find concealed damage or other factors that would increase the cost. We also work closely with your insurance company to verify coverage on the damaged areas. You are generally only responsible for your deductible cost. We use Xactimate estimating software which is the industry standard. Many times this is the same estimating program used by your insurance company. In fact, many times your insurance will use our estimate alone to pay the Claim. Before any repairs are made we will have authorization from your insurance company.
Q? What is involved in the drying process?
Once the water removal is finished we will use specialized equipment to begin the drying process which can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on the amount of flooding and water saturation. A special air mover will draw water moisture from wet surfaces by evaporation into the air and a special dehumidifier will draw that moisture out of the air, which will then be drained through tubing.
To confirm proper drying has taken place, we will use special moisture meters that will check for proper moisture content.
Q? What about mold and mildew?
ServiceFirst Restoration Inc. has spent a lot of time and money on education and equipment to become qualified in mold and mildew prevention. In most cases, if the drying process can be started quickly, mold and mildew can be prevented or at least minimized.
