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Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT ACTION RESTORATION
800-218-9556

Restoration FAQs

From the Gulf Coast’s unpredictable weather to the unforeseen emergencies that life throws your way, Action Restoration is equipped to handle a spectrum of restoration needs across Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Our strategically located offices ensure that help is never too far away, providing you with rapid, reliable service when you need it most.

Understanding the intricacies of insurance coverage, the nuances of water damage repair costs, and the signs of hidden damage are just the beginning. Our comprehensive FAQ page delves into the specifics of home restoration post-storm, the critical nature of professional fire and smoke damage recovery, and the meticulous process of decontamination to ensure your environment is safe and sound.

At Action Restoration, we don’t just restore homes; we restore peace of mind. So, let’s embark on this journey to renewal together, with the right information and the best restoration services.

General Restoration

At Action Restoration, we provide quick, responsive restoration services all along the U.S. Gulf Coast. With seven offices in cities near you, we can offer quick and efficient restoration services. Call Action Restoration when you need service in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi.

Yes! We offer a variety of water and storm restoration services that will help your home get back to a normal state after a storm. Some of these include:

  • Water extraction
  • Structural drying 
  • Burst and frozen pipes
  • Mold removal
  • And more

If you’re facing a small-scale loss and commercial restoration project, Action Restoration offers equipment rental services. We only use the best tools and technology when restoring our customers’ homes, and now that equipment is available for you to use as well!

Water Restoration

Since insurance policies vary for everyone, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible to see if you’re covered. If you do not wish to file a claim, we can work with you directly to make sure you receive the restoration services you need, as soon as you need them.

The cost of water damage restoration will depend on not only the extent of overall damage but the type of water that did the damage. Why? Put simply, the level of contamination in the water will determine the types of materials needed to properly perform water restoration.

While water damage can be caused by many different things, appliance leaks, burst pipes, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and flooding from natural disasters are most common.

Yes, water damage can be hidden. This is because water can sometimes leak into areas of your home that are not easily visible, such as inside walls, under floors, or behind appliances. This type of hidden water damage can be more difficult to detect, but there are some signs that you can look for.

Here are some of the signs of hidden water damage:

  • Musty smell: A musty smell is often a sign of mold or mildew growth, which can be caused by hidden water damage.
  • Discoloration or stains: If you see any discoloration or stains on your walls, ceiling, or floors, this could be a sign of water damage.
  • Warped or bulging walls or ceilings: Warped or bulging walls or ceilings can be caused by water damage, as the moisture can cause the materials to swell and deform.
  • Peeling paint or wallpaper: Peeling paint or wallpaper can also be a sign of water damage, as the moisture can loosen the adhesive.
  • Soft or spongy floors: If you notice that your floors are soft or spongy in some areas, this could be a sign of hidden water damage.
  • Unexplained increase in water bills: If your water bills have suddenly increased, this could be a sign of a hidden leak.

Fire & Smoke Restoration

If you’ve encountered fire or another disaster that has led to your home being filled with smoke, it’s important to call a qualified restoration company right away.

Smoke takes a toll on every surface it touches, and there are different types of residue that smoke can leave behind.

Depending on the amount of smoke damage, your home could be in need of soot removal and deodorization, resurfacing, ductwork cleaning, item removal, and more.

After a fire, it is not safe to enter your property until it has been declared safe by fire department officials. There are numerous hazards that can persist after a fire, including structural damage, smoke and soot contamination, and electrical risks.

Fire damage recovery is a multi-step process that typically involves the following:

  1. Assessment: A thorough inspection of the property is conducted to assess the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage.
  2. Board-Up and Tarping Services: To maintain security and to protect against further damage, doors, windows, and other openings may be boarded up, and tarps may be placed on damaged roofs.
  3. Water Removal and Drying: If water damage is present due to firefighting efforts, it will need to be addressed immediately to prevent mold and further damage.
  4. Soot and Smoke Cleanup: Specialized techniques and equipment are used to remove soot and smoke from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.
  5. Cleaning and Sanitizing: Personal belongings and parts of the structure will need to be cleaned and sanitized to remove odors and contaminants.
  6. Restoration: The final step involves repairing and restoring the property to its pre-fire condition. This may include minor repairs, such as painting and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in the home or business.

Storm Damage & Disaster Restoration

Whether your insurance will cover water or storm damage depends on your specific policy and the cause of the damage. Generally, standard homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage caused by wind, such as broken windows or roof damage. However, water damage coverage can be more complicated.

Most policies cover water damage that comes from above (like rainwater or a burst pipe), but not from rising water or flooding from the ground (you would typically need separate flood insurance for that). It is essential to review your policy and speak with your insurance provider to understand your coverage.

After a storm, you should look for various types of damage, including:

  • Wind Damage: Damage to roofing materials, siding, windows, and doors. This can range from missing shingles to broken windows or doors.
  • Water Damage: Water intrusion can cause damage to walls, ceilings, floors, and personal property. Look for stains, mold, and swelling in building materials.
  • Impact Damage: Caused by flying debris or falling trees and branches, which can result in structural damage.
  • Electrical Damage: Check for downed power lines or short-circuited systems due to water infiltration.
  • Hail Damage: Hail can cause dents and breakages to roofs, siding, and windows.
  • Foundation Damage: Look for new cracks or shifts in the foundation, which can be caused by heavy rains or flooding.

Mold Removal

Mold remediation, also known as mold removal or abatement, is the process used to thoroughly remove mold from your home, eliminate odors, and sanitize the area. The goal of mold remediation is to restore healthy air quality.

Though you can easily find DIY mold removal tips online, we strongly urge you to hire a professional, as these home remedies are not long-term solutions. To the naked eye, items like bleach appear to remove mold when in reality, it worsens the issue. Additionally, the inhalation of mold spores can be harmful to your health and cause long-term illness. If you believe you’ve found mold in your home, contact us right away.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral added to construction materials for its fire-retardant properties. Although asbestos was effective in reducing fire damage, it came with a heavy cost — causing lung cancer and other diseases for workers who inhaled microscopic asbestos particles.

If your home or building was constructed before 1978, then there is a good chance it contains some form of asbestos. It could be located in ceiling tiles, flashing, shingles, siding, paint, floors, and more.

The only time asbestos will pose a threat to your family or tenants is when it starts to break down, flake away, or suffer water damage. This could cause asbestos particles to become airborne and lodge in a person’s lungs.

Decontamination

Decontamination is the process of cleaning and disinfecting materials, objects, or areas to remove contaminants such as microorganisms, chemicals, hazardous materials, or radioactive substances.

The goal is to prevent the spread of these contaminants to people, animals, or the environment. Decontamination is crucial in various settings, including hospitals, laboratories, industrial sites, and areas affected by spills or biological outbreaks.

Areas that typically require decontamination include:

  • Medical Facilities: Operating rooms, patient rooms, and other areas where infections can spread.
  • Laboratories: Where biological, chemical, or radioactive work takes place.
  • Industrial Sites: Especially in the event of chemical spills or accidents.
  • Crime Scenes: Particularly if hazardous biological matter is present.
  • Public Spaces: After incidents involving hazardous materials or after pandemics or epidemics to prevent disease spread.
  • Homes and Buildings: After contamination due to mold, sewage backups, pest infestations, or the presence of hazardous materials.
  • Vehicles and Equipment: That have been exposed to contaminants.
  • Agricultural Areas: In cases of animal diseases or chemical spills.

The decontamination process typically involves several steps:

  1. Preparation: Establishing a decontamination plan and setting up controlled zones to prevent the spread of contaminants.
  2. Removal: Removing and disposing of any materials that are too contaminated to be cleaned, such as personal protective equipment or contaminated materials.
  3. Cleaning: Physically cleaning surfaces to remove contaminants using water, detergents, and scrubbing.
  4. Disinfection: Applying chemical agents that kill microorganisms or neutralize chemicals. The choice of disinfectant depends on the type of contaminant.
  5. Sterilization (if necessary): For environments such as operating rooms, more rigorous methods may be used to destroy all forms of microbial life.
  6. Waste Disposal: Properly disposing of any waste products from the decontamination process in accordance with local regulations and guidelines.
  7. Verification: Testing surfaces and areas to ensure that they are free of contaminants and safe to return to normal use.
  8. Reporting: Documenting the decontamination process and outcomes for health, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Want Fast, Reliable Disaster Recovery?

Contact Action Restoration today for commercial and industrial restoration services in Port Arthur, TX. We’re available 24/7 to handle large-loss emergencies with expertise and efficiency.

800-218-9556