 Business Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the dangers of leaving water damage untreated?
The reason it becomes urgent to call a specialist at the FIRST signs of water damage is because if left untreated for as little as 72 hours, mold can begin growing in the affected area, which can amount to much more significant and costly repairs. If left untreated, claim costs can begin to escalate and serious occupant health hazards may occur.
Q. Is it safe to remain in the house?
If you’re not sure if your business is safe, it’s definitely time to call a technician who would be able to accurately determine how safe your business is for you and your customers by determining the quantity and variety of mold by conducting a visual test and if needed -- air sampling. Generally it becomes unsafe to be in your business only after some mold growth, which takes a few days in the worst case. Don’t take chances – call a professional.
Q. What will happen once I call for help?
Once you call Hammond Knoll Restoration, you will be greeted by one of our friendly technicians at any time of day or night. The technician will collect some basic information from you. You will be asked to describe the situation in your business to help us understand the kind of tools and equipment that are needed. You may be asked for an approximation of the size of the affected area. A technician will then be dispatched to your location and will arrive quickly.
Q. Is the water damage from a busted pipe that serious?
Yes, with just the small amount of water damage from a broken or frozen pipe, your problem can explode into a nightmare for you, your family and friends. Even your home can pay a terrible price from not getting a problem as small as this one taken care of by professionals. Using a wet/dry vac or calling your local carpet cleaner to suck up the water, placing a heater to dry the rest, and putting some bleach on a rag will only give you a false sense of security when the facts are that you will have mold growing inside the carpet padding and interior of the wall. So what can this mold do to harm anything? Read below to find out.
Q. What are the dangers of mold with water damage?
The molds that can and will grow after even a small amount of water damage can cause many health problems. The scary part is that most of the time you can have symptoms and most doctors will miss the diagnosis because you do not physically see the mold present. The symptoms can be as simple as headaches, runny nose, rashes, or allergies, but can get as serious as asthma, fungus, growth in the lungs, internal bleeding, and in some cases, even death.
Q. Is the damage covered by our insurance?
Review your company’s policy with your agent to determine if you have proper coverage for the damage. It would be a good idea to review coverage ahead of time to make sure your business is covered for all situations such as fire suppression systems, which require an inexpensive insurance rider.
Q. How does the water removal process work?
Several steps are taken to remove water from your property in the event of a flood, hurricane, or other water- related disaster. First, the water will be removed from the property. Once the water is removed, a de-humidification process will begin to dry the wet areas. Next, evaporation of the water will occur and finally the air will be tested to ensure that all water and moisture is gone from the property and won’t cause any further problems. Other processes involved with water damage restoration include wet carpet restoration, odor control, fabric restoration, mold remediation, dry wall restoration and wood floor restoration.
Q. What are the different categories of water?
There are three basic categories of water. The type of water in your property will help determine the extent of the damage and how the water will be removed.
- Clean Water: The first category of water is clean water that poses no harm to people. This includes water damage caused by a sink or bathtub overflow or an appliance malfunction.
- Gray Water: This category includes water that has a significant amount of contamination, which can be chemical, physical and/or biological. Gray water can cause harm and illness to those who are exposed to or drink it.
- Black Water: Black water is very unsanitary and contains pathogenic agents coming from other contaminated water sources. It can cause discomfort and illness to those who are exposed to or who drink it. Black water can come from seawater, ground surface water, river water and stream water.
Q. Can my carpet and pad be salvaged after flooding?
There are many factors that must be considered when determining if your carpet and pad can be safely salvaged after flooding. Your Hammond Knoll water damage restoration specialist will be able to assess the level of damage and will inform you of your options.
Q. My hardwood floor has buckled. Can it be salvaged?
If the floor is dried quickly and thoroughly, it may be able to be saved. There are no guarantees, however, that it can be salvaged. Your Hammond Knoll water damage restoration specialist will advise you of your options.
Q. Do I have a choice of contractors to use for restoring my property?
Yes. Customers always have the full authority to use whichever restoration company they feel is qualified. It doesn’t cost the insured any more or less to call their own restoration company in. The important factor is to make sure the damage is handled correctly the first time.
Q. Why should I choose an IICRC-certified restoration company?
The importance of having professionals like those at Hammond Knoll who have the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) cannot be understated. It assures you of trained, experienced technicians on every job.
In addition to being certified by the industry’s most widely recognized and accepted certification program, all our technicians attend IICRC-accredited continuing education and training programs several times a year. Hammond Knoll invests a significant amount of time and money in training and equipment to ensure we perform the highest standards of work to assure our customers of the best service.
Q. What if I have more questions?
Hammond Knoll Restoration is here for you. Please call us at any time to ask questions, to discuss concerns or just to make sure we are headed in the right direction. All restoration companies dry homes and businesses. Hammond Knoll Restoration is primarily in the business of customer service striving to give individualized treatment to each client, be attentive to any special needs or circumstances that arise, and be flexible and creative in finding the right solution to each situation.
  
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