Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Can You Clean Mold Yourself

Can You Clean Mold Yourself

The decision of whether or not to tackle mold removal on your own depends greatly on your specific circumstances. Firstly, let’s consider your well-being.

It’s important to be aware that mold can pose health risks, particularly if you’re dealing with a hazardous type such as Aspergillus or Stachybotrys (commonly known as “black mold“). These varieties of mold can be harmful to individuals with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions.

If you, as an average individual without any training or extensive knowledge about mold, attempt to address the issue without proper equipment, it could lead to problems.

Now, let’s explore whether you can actually eliminate the mold yourself, without professional equipment.

In many cases, you can. If the affected area is small, you should be able to clean the mold without encountering significant difficulties.

However, if the mold infestation covers a larger area, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional.

Continue reading to learn more.

can you clean mold yourself

Do You Need a Professional to Remove Mold

The severity of the mold problem directly correlates to the likelihood of needing professional mold removal services

Not only is it unsafe to attempt mold removal on your own when the problem is overwhelming, but you are also likely to be unsuccessful since the root cause of major mold issues is typically deep within the walls, e.g. a busted pipe

Mold is usually caused by water damage and therefore if you don’t successfully mitigate water damage and its cause, any mold cleanup you do won’t address the problem successfully. 

Simply wiping or brushing the affected surface won’t do anything. 

How Do Companies Remove Mold

Professionals commence the mold removal process by containing the affected area, preventing further contamination in unaffected regions. 

Once this is accomplished, they proceed to remove the mold, often requiring the removal of the affected surface, which unfortunately may not be salvageable in most cases.

After successfully eliminating the mold, mold removal technicians undertake a thorough cleaning to ensure no remnants are left behind. 

Additionally, they may enhance the treated surface’s resistance to future mold problems by utilizing a sealer or similar products.

How Much Does Professional Mold Removal Cost

In California, mold remediation usually costs $1,500-3,500. With the more severe cases, the cost can go into five figures. 

Mold removal companies quote each client individually. It’s impossible to have a one-size-fits-all price tag because each client has a different kind of mold problem. 

Conclusion

If you need any help with mold removal, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Vetted Los Angeles Restorations offers 24/7 emergency service to all of Los Angeles County.

More helpful articles:

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Saturday, May 27, 2023

The Impact of Water Damage on Property Value

The Impact of Water Damage on Property Value

Water damage can have a significant impact on the value of a property. Whether it’s caused by a burst pipe, a leaking roof, or even a natural disaster like a flood, water damage can lead to various issues that affect the structural integrity and overall condition of a building. 

Today, we will explore the different aspects of water damage and its implications for property value, backed up by studies from credible institutions. So, without any further ado, let’s get right into it!

impact of water damage on property value

Understanding Water Damage

Before delving into the impact on property value, it’s crucial to understand what water damage entails. Water damage refers to the destruction, deterioration, or impairment of a property caused by water intrusion via a leak, overflow, or spill. 

Various things can cause it, including plumbing failures, faulty appliances, or simply inadequate maintenance of smaller leaks that eventually turn into a bigger issue. 

Assessing the Impact of Water Damage on Property Value

When evaluating the impact of water damage on the value of your property, several key factors come into play. Understanding these factors is crucial for property owners, potential buyers, and insurers alike.

Extent of Water Damage

One of the primary concerns with water damage is its impact on a property’s structural integrity. Prolonged exposure to water can damage load-bearing walls, drywall, and insulation, weaken foundations, and compromise the overall stability of the entire home or commercial building.

The more damage the property has sustained and the longer the damage has been prevalent, the more extensive and costly repairs may be necessary to restore the property to its normal condition.

Hence, those water damage restoration costs, which typically range from $1,500 to $5,000, will likely be subtracted from the initial value of the property, leading to a lower asking price.

Mold and Mildew

Water damage almost always leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Mold can spread rapidly, causing not only structural damage but also potential health problems for occupants.

The presence of mold and mildew can significantly diminish property value, as prospective buyers may be deterred by the associated health risks and the need for extensive (and expensive) mold remediation.

Here’s some hard data. Mold can devalue your property by 20 to 37%, according to the Appraisal Journal. Also, the same article says that around 50% of potential buyers walk away from the deal when they learn of a mold problem in a house.

Insurance Coverage

Water damage insurance coverage can vary a lot, depending on the policy and the cause of the damage. Most policies cover only accidental and sudden damage that happens indoors. Keywords are “accidental” and “indoors”. Both conditions have to be met.

For example, if there is a leak that wasn’t sudden and instead caused damage over an extensive period of time by going unnoticed and untreated, insurance companies will view that as preventable damage and not as “an accidental and sudden event that was out of your control”.  

But let’s also take flooding. Completely accidental and out of your control, but still not originating from indoors. The same goes for sewage backups caused by external forces like severe weather, flooding, or tree roots penetrating through sewer line pipes. 

These events often necessitate separate policies for protection. 

Whether or not an insurance company will cover the costs of repairs will play a role in the valuation of your house or place of business. 

Also, one more thing to keep in mind is that the insurance company will likely just pay for the repairs of the damage itself and not for the repairs of what caused the damage (e.g., a leaking pipe or dishwasher). 

Having a damaged dishwasher or a faulty water supply line won’t help sell your house for more, that’s for sure. 

Water Damage Category

Water damage can manifest in multiple different forms, each with varying degrees of contamination:

  • Clean water: This refers to leaks from clean water sources, such as a broken water supply line. It poses the least health risks but can still lead to hefty losses if not addressed in time.
  • Gray water: Refers to leaks from malfunctioning appliances or AC units. Gray water requires a little extra work when being cleaned because it can be slightly filthy. 
  • Black water: Contains harmful bacteria, all sorts of biological and industrial waste, trash, and more. It typically arises from sewage backups, flooding, or other natural disasters. This water damage category is definitely the most dangerous, and it almost always requires professional assistance.

More contaminated types of water damage are harder to clean up, leading to more expensive restoration costs, which, again, lead to lower valuations. 

Cause of Water Damage

Water damage can be triggered by various events. Common culprits include:

  • Plumbing issues: Leaking or burst pipes, faulty plumbing fixtures, or water supply line leaks.
  • Roofing leaks: Damaged or improperly installed or maintained roofs can allow water to seep into the property.
  • Appliance malfunctions: Washing machines, dishwashers, or water heaters can leak water, usually because of a clogged drain.
  • Poor drainage: Improper grading or clogged gutters and downspouts can result in water accumulation around the property, which would eventually find its way indoors. 
  • Natural disasters: Floods, storms, or hurricanes.

Different water damage causes can lead to different amounts of losses and destruction. Floods are among the worst, with flooded properties capable of losing up to 60% of their value in extreme scenarios, according to Ebbwater.

Location - Is Your Property in a Floodplain?

The location of a property also plays a big role in determining its value. In areas prone to flooding or natural disasters, AKA floodplains, properties can be devalued by around 7% due to a higher perceived risk.

Conversely, properties in low-risk areas with effective flood prevention measures may be less affected by these concerns, effectively leading to higher valuations.

Market Conditions

Property values are also influenced by market conditions and buyer preferences. In a competitive market, buyers may be less inclined to purchase a property with a history of flooding, as it might require additional investments and repairs. In a buyer’s market, the impact may be less severe, but it can still influence negotiations and offers.

Mitigating Water Damage

Prevention and timely intervention are key to mitigating the impact of water damage on property values.

Taking proactive measures to prevent water damage is crucial. This includes routine maintenance, inspections, and addressing potential issues promptly. Installing proper drainage systems, maintaining roof integrity, and ensuring plumbing fixtures are in good condition can help reduce the risks.

Not only that, but these installations and regular repairs could also help boost the value of a house. 

If water damage does occur, swift action is necessary to minimize its impact. Hire a water damage restoration company so that they can handle the issue in time before it gets any worse.

Having a professional restore the damage for you is worth it because they’ll do all of the work right from the start, while you may easily make mistakes when DIY-ing due to a lack of experience, mistakes that can just waste your time and allow for water to further spread and cause more harm. 

Professionals will also take on all of the health risks associated with water damage instead of you, which is another huge benefit. 

Make sure that they help you take some water and flood-proofing measures for the future, either by doing it themselves or telling you exactly what you need to do. 

The same study by Ebbwater that we have mentioned earlier also says that some buyers are willing to spend more on a property that has been properly rebuilt and flood-proofed, so take that into consideration. 

Conclusion

And there you have it! 

So, how much will your property’s value be impacted?

Hard to say without knowing which factors we’ve outlined are in play for you and which are not. 

Use this post as assistance in further calculations. We’ve linked to some studies, but in the end each situation is unique and requires its own in-depth analysis. 

We hope this article was helpful to you. If you wish to learn more, just check out some of the other posts we have on our blog. If you need help with water damage, call us for a quote now!

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Thursday, May 18, 2023

Navigating Water Damage Insurance Claims: A Complete Guide

Navigating Water Damage Insurance Claims: A Complete Guide

Water damage is so common that most standard home insurance policies cover it. The rider is that the water damage must be internal, sudden, and accidental. 

Water damage from flooding and natural disasters is typically not covered, so you will need to take out flood insurance. 

Anyway, when water damage happens, filing a water damage claim with your insurer is imperative. And when you do, you want your claim to be honored and get the highest payout to ensure all the damage is adequately covered. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to file a successful claim.

water damage insurance

1. Minimize Damage

The first thing your insurer expects you to do is prevent further damage. Some of the things you can do include the following:

  • Remove undamaged items from harm’s way
  • Follow safety precautions like turning off your main water supply valve if the water damage is from a burst pipe. 
  • Turn off your main electricity supply to avoid the possibility of a fire
  • Investigate and have the leak fixed immediately

2. Determine If Your Water Damage Is Covered By Insurance

Not all water damage is covered by your insurance policy. Generally, water damage is only covered by your home insurance policy if it’s sudden or accidental. 

Any water damage you get due to neglect or poor maintenance is not covered. For example, water damage from a roof you haven’t repaired in 30 years or an improperly installed skylight will not be compensated.

Also, note that most companies will cover the damage but not the appliance that caused it.

For example, if your HVAC system causes a leak that damages your walls and seats, the insurer will cover the walls and your couches. However, it will not cover a new HVAC system. 

3. Record Evidence

Gathering evidence is a crucial component of making a claim, and the more evidence you have, the better your chances of success. 

So take as many photos and videos of the damage in your home as possible, including individual damaged items. Take photos that show the extent of the damage. 

If some of the damage is worsening gradually, be sure to take several photos and videos of different levels of damage. 

Also, make an inventory of all the damage and, if possible, include cash values. If you use a professional water damage restoration company, include their fees in your losses. If your claim is successful, the insurer will pay these fees to you or directly to the company.

4. Contact Your Insurer

As with motor insurance, you must notify your insurer of the incident as soon as possible. Many providers will have a 24/7 hotline you can reach them on during emergencies. 

When you call them, have your insurance policy number and inventory list on hand, just in case. Your adjustor will likely send you a link or an email where you can forward all the documented evidence. Some insurers will immediately dispatch an adjustor to your house. 

Similarly, ask your insurance agent about their restoration process – for example, if you can hire a water restoration company of your choice, or if they have providers on their panel. If they suggest the latter, the company will directly bill your insurer for all water damage restoration costs.

5. Meet with the Adjustor

If an adjustor is sent, they will come to your property to assess the damage. They can look at it through the photos and videos you have taken. 

Their job is to determine the cause of the water damage, if your policy covers it, and calculate the restoration cost, including repairs and replacements. The adjurer will then write a report of their findings, which will be used in making decisions regarding your claim.

Suffered Water Damage? Call Us!

Water damage to your home can be stressful, so you need a knowledgeable ally to help with the recovery. 

At Vetted Los Angeles Restorations, we provide expert water damage technicians within an hour of your call. This ensures that work on your home begins immediately and that you get some guidance with your insurance claim. If you have water damage, call us immediately and let us work our magic for you.

Learn more:

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Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Because water damage is quite common, you might want to cut out the middleman and take care of any water in your home by yourself. 

In some cases, this is possible to do depending on the extent of the damage. However, you will need some equipment that you must use correctly to restore your home after damage single-handedly. 

Which equipment would you need? Here are some expert suggestions. 

Water damaged home

1. Dehumidifiers

These include a standard dehumidifier and a Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifier. The latter uses advanced technology to achieve fast structural drying results. 

Typically, you would begin with a standard dehumidifier to reduce the humidity to about 30%. An LGR dehumidifier can then be used to complete the drying process. LGR dehumidifiers pre-cool the intake air, making it drier and more breathable. 

Despite being more powerful, most LGRs available today are more energy efficient than regular dehumidifiers. 

2. Air Mover

A central part of drying out water damage is air movement. Air movers, also known as air blowers, work in tandem with dehumidifiers to dry flooring, carpets, and walls. 

With severe water damage, a wall might need to be removed to dry the wall frame. In other instances, cutting holes and getting air through them using air movers is enough. 

Carpet and flooring can also be dried from the top down. Sometimes, top layers might need to be removed to provide direct access for an air mover to dry the subfloor. 

There are two main types of air movers:

  • Axial air movers: these are used to dry materials like flooring top down
  • Centrifugal air movers: these can change the direction in which they are blowing air. This makes them ideal for guiding air to specific areas like behind dry walls and under cabinets
structural drying and dehumidification

3. Moisture Meters

Knowing the extent of water damage is just as important as knowing how to deal with it. 

One of the tools that helps you assess the situation after a water damage event is a moisture meter. 

Moisture meters are hand-held water damage restoration tools used to determine moisture content (%MC) of a material. This information will help you determine how much work needs to be carried out to restore your home to what it was. When used by water damage professionals, it also gives some information regarding pricing and how much restoration will cost. 

Moisture meters also detect water damage long before it becomes visible to the naked eye. As such, it’s essential to use it after restoration to ensure all the moisture has been eliminated. If left behind, moisture keeps damaging items and becomes fertile ground for mold and mildew spores to grow and spread.

4. Vacuum Cleaners

During water removal, vacuum cleaners suck up standing water, sending it through a hose and into other water restoration equipment. 

This action is much like scooping up water with buckets or mops, only it’s much faster and more efficient. 

For example, a flooded room or basement can be cleaned in the initial stages before employing more specialized water restoration treatments.  

5. Air Purifiers

Fast and furious water damage will cause flooding and soak your household items.

But, note that this is not always the case. 

At times, you have a slow leak somewhere behind the surface. It can go on for weeks and even months undetected if it’s hidden. One outcome of this is mold and mildew. 

These are bad news. Mold and mildew put extra weight on structures, which can damage them. It also has an unseen effect: damaged air quality. You must address the air quality whenever you have mold and mildew after water damage. 

Air purifiers address this, in addition to black water and harmful bacteria left behind by water damage. An example situation of the latter is when a toilet overflows, sending sludge all over your bathroom floor. 

You must also remove mold, although this can not be done as easily as pressing a button. You need a professional to carry that out for you. 

No Equipment? No Problem!

This preview of water damage equipment tells you that attempting a DIY repair project can get complex and expensive. So what happens if you get water damage but don’t have any of this equipment or don’t know how to use it properly? That’s where we come in. 

Vetted Los Angeles Restorations understands the panic that comes with water damage, and we lend our expertise to ensure it’s resolved promptly. Our experts arrive promptly and bring all the equipment required to give you back your property as it was before the water damage.

Sounds great? Call us at (213) 410-1873 for a quote!

Also read these if you wish to learn more about water damage:

The post Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Los Angeles CA.



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Health Risks Associated with Water Damage: What to Know

Health Risks Associated with Water Damage: What to Know

Water damage needs to be taken care of immediately after it happens, whether you have a pipe leak or a flooded basement.

If left untreated, you will have aesthetic and structural damage, a lower property value, and expensive restoration to take care of.

But something else that’s less thought about are the health risks linked to water damage.

Not today! Let us walk you through just how bad of an environment can water damage form. You don’t want to miss this. 

mold inspection

1. Mold and Mildew

You will inevitably have mold and mildew after untreated or inadequately treated water damage. Mold can start growing in as little as 1-2 days following water damage, and it’s something you should worry about. 

Mold spores can attack any surface in your home, regardless of what it’s made of. 

Unfortunately, some mold spores contain neurotoxins. Neurotoxins are linked to severe respiratory health problems. Short-term exposure can cause allergies, headaches, migraines, and congestion. 

This makes it imperative not only to clear up the water damage but also to ensure that there is no trapped moisture on your belongings, behind walls, carpeting, and so on. 

Calling the Vetted Los Angeles Restorations professionals ensures your house is thoroughly inspected and treated to remove mold and mildew development risks following water damage. 

2. Vermin and Pest Infestation

Water damage can create a moist environment that makes your home attractive to vermin and pests such as silverfish, roaches, beetles, drain flies, and caterpillar ants. 

Rodents can also invade your home looking for water. It’s also common to see moths and earwigs after water damage. 

One of the warning signs of an infestation is a strange, unpleasant smell, droppings, or scratching from the inside of your walls. 

All these vermin and pests carry disease-causing pathogens. Their droppings can also cause various ailments when they come into contact with food and drink. Most of these pests also negatively impact your home’s air quality. 

3. Health Risks from Dirty Water

Leaking pipes can allow contaminants into your drinking water. 

Dirty drinking water leaves you vulnerable to multiple health risks. These include typhoid, dysentery, and even diseases of the brain, kidneys, and lungs. 

Contaminated water also hurts your immune system, opening you up to a myriad of health conditions and ailments. You can also suffer from cholera, vomiting, diarrhea, and scarlet fever if your drinking water gets contaminated. The latter leaves you with mouth sores and a body rash.

Lastly, contaminated water can cause leptospirosis. This nasty bacteria causes severe inflammation, fever, and jaundice. 

4. Electrical Shock

Water and electricity don’t mix well. This makes electrical shock a common danger of water damage. 

When water comes into contact with electrical wiring, it can create a dangerous current. Water damage can also create fires by causing electrical appliances to short out. 

Small leaks aren’t safe, either. A small leak that goes undetected can corrode exposed wires. This can cause loose or faulty connections, which are also hazardous. 

The risk of water damage reaching your electrical system is an electric shock. Electrocution can leave you severely injured or, worse, dead. 

5. Waterborne Bacterial Pathogens

Once you flush your toilet, the hope is that whatever you flush down goes away for good. Often, this is precisely what happens until there is a mishap. 

A problem with your plumbing can cause your toilet to overflow, causing whatever you have flushed down to come back up the toilet bowl and onto your toilet floor. As you can imagine, this sludge carries dangerous waterborne pathogens. 

These pathogens include strains of Salmonella, E. coli, Vibrio, Shigella, and Campylobacter. 

All of these scientific terms tell us one thing: to call water damage experts who are trained to handle situations like this.

Water Damage Expert Is Just a Phone call Away!

Water damage doesn’t just cause property damage; it can rob you and your loved ones of your health as you know it. This emphasizes the need to have any water damage taken care of professionally immediately after it happens. 

We have highly skilled, motivated, quick response teams to ensure water damage is contained in the proper manner and in the shortest timelines possible. Call us immediately if you have water damage, and let us do what we do best. 

Read more on water damage:

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Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Because water damage is quite common, you might want to cut out the middleman and take care of any water in your home by yourself. 

In some cases, this is possible to do depending on the extent of the damage. However, you will need some equipment that you must use correctly to restore your home after damage single-handedly. 

Which equipment would you need? Here are some expert suggestions. 

Water damaged home

1. Dehumidifiers

These include a standard dehumidifier and a Low Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifier. The latter uses advanced technology to achieve fast structural drying results. 

Typically, you would begin with a standard dehumidifier to reduce the humidity to about 30%. An LGR dehumidifier can then be used to complete the drying process. LGR dehumidifiers pre-cool the intake air, making it drier and more breathable. 

Despite being more powerful, most LGRs available today are more energy efficient than regular dehumidifiers. 

2. Air Mover

A central part of drying out water damage is air movement. Air movers, also known as air blowers, work in tandem with dehumidifiers to dry flooring, carpets, and walls. 

With severe water damage, a wall might need to be removed to dry the wall frame. In other instances, cutting holes and getting air through them using air movers is enough. 

Carpet and flooring can also be dried from the top down. Sometimes, top layers might need to be removed to provide direct access for an air mover to dry the subfloor. 

There are two main types of air movers:

  • Axial air movers: these are used to dry materials like flooring top down
  • Centrifugal air movers: these can change the direction in which they are blowing air. This makes them ideal for guiding air to specific areas like behind dry walls and under cabinets
structural drying and dehumidification

3. Moisture Meters

Knowing the extent of water damage is just as important as knowing how to deal with it. 

One of the tools that helps you assess the situation after a water damage event is a moisture meter. 

Moisture meters are hand-held water damage restoration tools used to determine moisture content (%MC) of a material. This information will help you determine how much work needs to be carried out to restore your home to what it was. When used by water damage professionals, it also gives some information regarding pricing and how much restoration will cost. 

Moisture meters also detect water damage long before it becomes visible to the naked eye. As such, it’s essential to use it after restoration to ensure all the moisture has been eliminated. If left behind, moisture keeps damaging items and becomes fertile ground for mold and mildew spores to grow and spread.

4. Vacuum Cleaners

During water removal, vacuum cleaners suck up standing water, sending it through a hose and into other water restoration equipment. 

This action is much like scooping up water with buckets or mops, only it’s much faster and more efficient. 

For example, a flooded room or basement can be cleaned in the initial stages before employing more specialized water restoration treatments.  

5. Air Purifiers

Fast and furious water damage will cause flooding and soak your household items.

But, note that this is not always the case. 

At times, you have a slow leak somewhere behind the surface. It can go on for weeks and even months undetected if it’s hidden. One outcome of this is mold and mildew. 

These are bad news. Mold and mildew put extra weight on structures, which can damage them. It also has an unseen effect: damaged air quality. You must address the air quality whenever you have mold and mildew after water damage. 

Air purifiers address this, in addition to black water and harmful bacteria left behind by water damage. An example situation of the latter is when a toilet overflows, sending sludge all over your bathroom floor. 

You must also remove mold, although this can not be done as easily as pressing a button. You need a professional to carry that out for you. 

No Equipment? No Problem!

This preview of water damage equipment tells you that attempting a DIY repair project can get complex and expensive. So what happens if you get water damage but don’t have any of this equipment or don’t know how to use it properly? That’s where we come in. 

Vetted Los Angeles Restorations understands the panic that comes with water damage, and we lend our expertise to ensure it’s resolved promptly. Our experts arrive promptly and bring all the equipment required to give you back your property as it was before the water damage.

Sounds great? Call us at (213) 410-1873 for a quote!

Also read these if you wish to learn more about water damage:

The post Essential Equipment for Water Damage Restoration appeared first on Water Damage Restoration Los Angeles CA.



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5 Tips for Hiring the Right Water Damage Restoration Company

5 Tips for Hiring the Right Water Damage Restoration Company

Some water damage can be resolved quickly with a pail and a highly absorbent mop. Other water damage, not so much. 

When you find yourself with knee-deep water from an overflowing septic sewer or drenched furniture and bedding, it quickly dawns on you that you are rather inadequate for the task ahead. You need a water damage restoration company. But which one? 

Here are five tips for hiring the perfect restoration company.

water damage ceiling

1. Find Out About Responsiveness

Water damage waits for no man. If you have an overflowing toilet sending all that septic bubble to your floor, you don’t just need help; you need immediate deployment.  

So responsiveness is everything. The Vetted Las Angeles Restorations team will be at your doorstep in an hour or less and get to work immediately. This is the type of responsiveness required with water damage. 

Because water damage can occur at the least convenient time, you want a company available 24 hours a day, seven hours a week. Make this a standard feature of any company you are willing to consider. 

2. Choose a Company with Credible References

If you are like most customers today, you probably look up most businesses before interacting with them. A water damage restoration company should be no exception. You can look up different businesses on Yelp and Google, but keep in mind that online reviews are not always authentic, nor do they tell the whole story. So only use these as a baseline. 

A better alternative is asking around from your friends, acquaintances, and neighbors. These people can provide companies they have used before that worked well for them. Being people known to you, it’s unlikely that they will recommend companies offering poor services to you. 

3. Licensing and Insurance

Sadly, many companies and individuals are out there claiming to be something they are not. One way to separate professionals from non-professionals is licensing.

In California, licensing requirements for water damage restoration companies is a bit different than most states.

If the project costs exceed $500 and they involve altering of your building’s structural elements (this would include replacement of your drywall, for example), then the restoration contractor you’re looking at should possess a C-61/D-64 Limited Specialty/Non-Specialized state license. 

As you look for water damage restorers, ask each company for proof of their licensing. This is something they should provide quickly and with ease. An inability to provide a license should be seen as a red flag.

It’s even better if your chosen company has professional accreditation to known professional bodies like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification.

The other thing to look at is insurance. Should anything happen on your property, you want to know that the damage will be easily covered. 

4. Years of Expertise

While giving new market entrants a chance is okay, water damage is not the best place to do this.   

Aside from training, experience is the other thing that makes a professional who they are. There are certain tips and tricks veterans pick up over the years that give them an edge over newbies. 

By hiring a professional or a company with years of experience in water restoration, you get the benefit of their experience. You are more assured that the job will be done professionally and even possibly faster. As you might have already guessed, speed is crucial regarding water damage.

5. Comprehensive Services

High-quality water damage restoration depends on attention to detail and strict adherence to the established protocol. A deviation from this could mean future hazards or lingering damage. 

Reputable companies are well aware of this and give you feedback at various stages of the process. 

Similarly, keep in mind that every water damage scenario is unique. As such, every job should begin with an evaluation, after which the restoration company should give you an action plan detailing the entire restorative process. 

Your chosen company should also advise on their understanding of water damage insurance policies and whether they can give a hand with claim filing and negotiations. 

Why Vetted Los Angeles Restorations?

When faced with water damage, you need the best restorers on your corner. That’s us. Vetted Los Angeles Restorations brings together a team of the most qualified water damage professionals in Los Angeles. 

Once you call us, you are guaranteed to get a team within an hour. The technician you get will be licensed, well-experienced, skilled, and adequately equipped to get your property back to what it was before the damage. You shouldn’t settle for less than this when it comes to your home. Whenever you have water damage, call us. 

Learn more about water damage:

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