When disaster happens, there’s an initial period of shock and disbelief. However, as reality starts to slowly sink in, a multitude of questions crowd your mind:
How am I going to clean this up?
What do I do next?
What will my insurance company say?
These are questions we are asked every day. Therefore, we wanted to compile this useful piece of information about the most common ones we hear. Even better: We’ll offer answers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disaster Cleanup Services
When Do I Need Disaster Cleanup Companies?
Floods, fires, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms—all of these disasters can destroy your home, business and things that you hold dear.
But it doesn’t always have to be a natural disaster to prompt the need for the pros. Even something as simple as a pipe that’s burst or the discovery of mold should prompt you to get on that phone and make First Call your first call.
First Call’s disaster cleanup services cover the North Carolina Triangle and Triad regions, encompassing Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro and Burlington.
Should I Try to Clean This Up Myself?
In short: no.
That’s because there’s often more to the damage than what meets the eye.
And if you make one false step, you could be putting the health of your family or employees in jeopardy.
For example, flooding or a burst pipe can cause extensive water damage, but it can also create a perfect environment for black mold. Because this can cause several health problems, you’re better off letting the pros handle it. We have the protective equipment to ensure not only safety, but to make sure that the mold doesn’t spread to other parts of the house.
When Will I Be Able to Get Back Into My Home/ Business?
We wish we had a simple answer for this, but it depends upon so many factors.
First, there’s the extent of the damage. We also have to take into account if the incident caused structural problems that have made the building or home unstable.
We also have to ensure that the area is free of any dangerous elements such as mold.
Second, we have to examine the size of the property that needs to be cleaned.
Finally, any furnishings or other objects should be considered.
We use these factors to determine a time frame.
At First Call, we promise that we’ll always be upfront and honest with you about our progress. We know it’s important for you to get back to life as usual, and we’ll complete our jobs in a way that is both safe, timely and thorough.
What About My Insurance Company?
We work with all insurance providers and adjusters. We’ll also carefully document our progress and directly with your insurance company.
How Can I Tell If I Have Water Damage?
Often you can’t. However, there are several signs that indicate you should contact First Call:
- Peeling wallpaper
- Mold
- Condensation
- Increase in insects or pests
- Peeling paint
- Damp flooring
When Can I Enter My Property After a Fire?
We know you want to enter your property as soon as possible, but that’s not wise. In addition to smoke inhalation, you may not be aware of weakened structures. This means your building could collapse around you.
It’s best that you take your instructions from local fire marshals and fire fighters.
How Can I Protect My Property After a Fire?
We offer emergency board-up services that will protect your property. This helps keep it safe from looting and theft.
We will treat your property with the same respect and care that we would give our own. That means we want to safeguard that which is dearest to you.
Can You Remove Smells? My Home Smells Like Mold/Smoke
Absolutely!
The key is to completely and thoroughly clean the area after removing all soot (or water or mold) from every surface of your property.
Then, we can deodorize your home or business to permanently eliminate the odor.
Why Is First Call the Right Call? Let Us Show You
Some companies offer great customer service.
Some claim they’ll do a complete job.
Still others boast that they have cleaned large businesses.
But in the end, these are merely words. It is in our actions that our motives are truly seen, and that’s why First Call is always the right call.
We don’t just promise a complete job with stellar customer service—we deliver on these promises. Have a large area to clean? We’ve worked with businesses of all sizes including warehouses and universities.
We even have hospital-grade environmental disinfecting services.
Need more information? Call us for a quote. We’d love the opportunity to serve you.
