Water Damage Restoration FAQ’s in Canonsburg, PA & Surrounding Areas
Restoring Peace of Mind®
ServiceMASTER knows you have a lot of questions about Water Damage Restoration. We want you to be armed with as much information as possible.
STRUCTURAL DRYING
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MY PROPERTY TO DRY?
Drying time is determined by a combination of factors, which includes the location, duration and source of water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions and how quickly emergency services begin. Through consistent monitoring and evaluation of the drying process, we can determine when the drying is complete. Your carpet may feel dry to the touch but padding and subfloors may still be wet underneath. While there are no rules to determine how long your property will take to dry, we can tell you it may take between three and five days or more, depending on the conditions.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY PROPERTY IS COMPLETELY DRY?
Proper testing with our specialized equipment is the correct way to determine if things are completely dry. Touch alone may be a false indicator.
WILL TURNING UP THE HEAT HELP DRY THINGS OUT?
Not necessarily. We will adjust the temperature to its optimum setting for the proper drying conditions. Please do not change the setting or shut off the HVAC system; doing so may prolong the drying process.
MY WOOD FLOORS ARE WET AND BUCKLING. WILL THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED?
Wood flooring must be evaluated during the drying process. We employ specialized drying systems and dehumidifiers that enable us to create an environment where wood floors can dry more efficiently and resume their original shape.
WHAT ABOUT MY WET FURNITURE?
The extent of damage and construction of the furniture will determine if your furniture can be restored. Your furniture must be dried before damage can be adequately assessed. Non-salvageable furniture will be documented for you, and if any items need to be discarded, a customer release form will need to be signed.
DO I NEED TO MOVE OUT OF MY PROPERTY DURING THIS PROCESS?
If you file an insurance claim, you may receive guidance from your insurance representative. However, this is a decision you must reach on your own. Our equipment is as child proof as possible, but we require your supervision to make sure no children play with it. Air movers and dehumidifiers will create noise and make your property drafty for a few days. It is important that the equipment remains on, so if the noise is disruptive to you, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay.
DOES EVERYTHING NEED TO BE MOVED OUT DURING RESTORATION?
Not usually. If items need to be moved out, we will let you know in advance.
MY CEILINGS ARE WET. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
Our technicians will evaluate moisture content, determine the severity of the damage and may have to remove some of your ceiling for ventilation. Wet insulation can also be a hazard and may need to be removed.
SHOULD I OPEN THE WINDOWS TO HELP THE DRYING PROCESS?
Opening your windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so the technician will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.
CAN I WALK ON THE AREA DURING THE DRYING PROCESS?
It is strongly suggested that you keep the traffic to a minimum. Wearing shoes is recommended for your safety.
CARPET & FLOOR COVERING
CAN MY CARPET BE RESTORED, OR WILL IT HAVE TO BE REPLACED?
A few reasons your carpet may not be salvageable:
Delamination (occurs when the backing separates from the carpet fiber)
Loss of adhesion (may be caused by prolonged exposure to water or age of the carpet)
Permanent stains
Carpet covers wood flooring (to salvage the wood flooring)
Sewage contamination
HOW WILL YOU MATCH MY CARPET PAD?
A sample of your pad is brought to our office for a match. When available, we use an identical pad. When your original pad is not available, we will provide a pad of the same quality, thickness and density. A similar pad may differ in color based upon the time it was manufactured.
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY AREA RUGS?
Rugs are taken to our warehouse for special care. They need to be dried carefully to minimize bleeding of colors and discoloration. Your rugs will be dried, cleaned and returned.
EQUIPMENT
WHY ARE AIR MOVERS & DEHUMIDIFIERS USED?
When water damage has occurred, water can be absorbed into the drywall (sheetrock), baseboards, subflooring, etc. Drying these surfaces requires high-velocity air movers to accelerate the release of absorbed water into the air. Dehumidifiers are necessary for removing this excess moisture to help protect property and create conditions for efficient drying. Please do not turn off or move drying equipment without first calling ServiceMASTER Clean.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING THE DRYING EQUIPMENT?
Our water damage mitigation specialists will place and monitor equipment to achieve optimal results in the shortest amount of time. Please make sure no one turns the equipment off or moves it. Please notify our office immediately if the power goes off or if the equipment turns off.
WHAT WILL IT COST TO RUN THE EQUIPMENT?
Based on average electrical rates, it may cost about one dollar per day per piece of drying equipment to operate. Actual costs can vary depending on current rates from your local electricity provider.
SEWAGE
WHAT ABOUT SEWAGE CONTAMINATION?
Hard surfaces can be cleaned and sanitized. Affected items that cannot be sanitized require disposal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, paneling, etc. that have been directly affected should be removed during the emergency service visit.
PAYMENT
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THE SERVICE?
Ultimately you, the property owner, are responsible for payment. As the property owner, you will need to sign a form authorizing the work and payment. If this is an insurance claim, ServiceMASTER Clean generally collects only the deductible amount and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you If you have a large loss, your mortgage company may be included as a payee on the payment from your insurance company, and you may need to obtain a signature from them as well. If your claim is not covered or you decide not to file a claim, you will be expected to pay in full at the time of service.
