Restoration 1 of Richmond South helps get your life back on track after property damage occurs due to fire, flood, or mold. Ben Handzel at Restoration 1 understands how stressful dealing with property damage is for homeowners. His team of certified technicians work with all insurance carriers and are available 24/7 so that you can start getting the help you need right away.
The first step in any job is to do a walkthrough of the site and identify all areas of damage. “Once we know what is going on we walk the owner through the insurance process and our role,” explains Ben. “We let them know what our best assessment is on materials being removed.” In the rare situations when more needs to be removed than originally estimated, Ben’s team takes immediate action to communicate that with the homeowner and coordinate a plan for timely completion of the job.
Many homeowners may feel tempted to try to save money by tackling repairs themselves. However, property damage after a fire, flood, or mold requires specialized skills and equipment. “There are written standards that remediators are held to for water damage mitigation and mold remediation. There are certain processes that must be used, and building materials have certain drying standards that must be followed,” says Ben. “If those processes aren't put in place or being monitored, you can make a bad situation much worse.”
If you need help recovering from property damage, then call Restoration 1 of Richmond South at 804-315-0242 or visit: restoration1.com/richmond-south
Water Damage
Household water damage is commonly the result of leaky or burst pipes or caused by storm damage. “The first step is to turn off the water, if the homeowner has not already done so, and locate the source of the leak,” explains Ben. Once the leak is identified they use moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras to track down moisture in all the materials and rooms where water could have possibly traveled. After the damaged materials are removed, they begin the drying process to ensure no further moisture remains.
Mold Damage
“Mold damage usually occurs when an area is exposed to moisture for a period of time,” says Ben. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases toxic substances called mycotoxins. These can cause or worsen health problems in people and pets. Unfortunately, mold can begin to grow very quickly. “All mold needs to be able to grow is moisture and a favorable temperature (usually warm),” continues Ben. “In warmer temperatures mold can begin to form and grow within 24-72 hours.” Anytime there is water damage, Restoration 1 checks for mold growth too.
Fire Damage
Fire and smoke can quickly destroy property and are hard to repair. Depending on the extent of the damage, they can also jeopardize your home’s structural safety. Picking back up the pieces of your life after experiencing a fire can be extremely difficult and overwhelming. Restoration 1 works quickly to help make the experience a little easier. While your personal belongings and memories cannot be replaced, Restoration 1’s property restoration specialists strive to restore your home or property so that it is safe, healthy, and like new again.
Crawlspace
Restoration 1 also provides numerous crawlspace services. They remove fungus, replace insulation and vapor barriers, as well as offer crawlspace encapsulation. “These services are necessary as many people do not realize that 40%-50% of the air in your home comes from the crawlspace,” explains Ben. Plumbing that is housed in the crawlspace is prone to leaking which can lead to water damage and mold growth. Crawlspace encapsulation reduces the risk of moisture, mold, humidity, and pests from below your feet and improves the air quality inside your home.