FAQs

Water & Flood Restoration FAQs

Q: How do I know if a loss is covered by my insurance company?
A: The best way is to refer to your insurance policy, or call your agent for that information.

Q: What if I have a restoration company repairing my home and then I find out it’s not covered by my insurance company?
A: If you have a loss in your home and your insurance company informs you it is not covered by insurance, you are responsible for paying the restoration company in full for the work.

Q:What is a deductible?
A: A deductible is a set amount you owe to the restoration company in addition to what the insurance company will pay to have your home repaired. Refer to your insurance policy for that amount. We do not ask for the full deductible up front to begin work.

Q: My crawlspace is flooded, how do I pump the water out?
A: After the damage has occurred, areas have been affected. It is best to be slow and methodical when extracting water. By moving fast you can cause further damage such as compromising the stability of the foundation. We have great success with drying out crawlspaces.

Q: How does water travel? Where does it go?
A: Water travels in the path of least resistance. And it often travels to places that you cannot see with your own eyes. It is always best to have our professionals come out for a moisture inspection using thermal imaging cameras to assess the true magnitude of the damage.

Q: What if I wait for my insurance to approve the work, how could that delay affect me?
A: If you do not start the drying process right away, you may run the risk of secondary damage and mold growth.

Q: Will my insurance cover the reconstruction after I have a loss?
A: Most companies will cover the cost of the rebuild to get your home back to its pre-loss state. Unlike emergency water losses, the rebuild side of our business is estimated prior to work being done. We’ll come to an agreement with your insurance adjuster before the work is started. You should know whether or not your insurance will cover the work before we even begin.

Q: What if I want an upgrade after my disaster?
A: Upgrades can be fun, however, your insurance company will only pay for materials that are like in kind to what you had before the disaster. We’re happy to install upgrades but you will incur extra costs.

Q: What if you can’t match the quality of materials in my home because it is older?
A: Not to worry. We work with your insurance adjuster to come to a “close match”.

Q: What is the timeline for putting things back together?
A: The rebuild phase of your project may take a little while. We have to follow a strict process with insurance companies. It can take anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks* to come to an agreed upon scope and cost with the insurance company. Only after we’ve agreed on a price with insurance can we start the work. Once work has begun, we do our best to ensure a streamlined project; however there are requests and situations that may occur that could prolong this process.

Fire & Smoke Damage FAQ

Q: Can you get rid of cigarette smoke damage?
A: Yes, we have equipment that can help remove cigarette odor. Contact our office to schedule an onsite inspection.

Q:What do I do if I left meat on my stove and my house is full of white smoke?
A: First, open some windows and allow the smoke to clear and settle. Then we suggest you call Ness for an onsite inspection. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover this kind of damage because smoke affects your home and your belongings

* varies depending on situation

Mold Remediation FAQs

Q: What makes Ness Restoration different for Mold Remediation?
A:  Ness Restoration provides 5 year limited warranties on no visible microbial re-growth in areas where work has been done, cleaned and treated for mold. Furthermore they are an IAQA council certified Mold Remediation Contractor, licensed, bonded and insured carrying mold and environmental pollution endorsements.
(Note: Most company insurance policies exclude mold as a peril unless there is a specific endorsement for mold coverage. Without this endorsement there is no liability coverage from the typical General Liability policy on a project by any contractor.*)

Q: Do you test for mold?
A: Ness Restoration does not test for mold. We can search for excess moisture and search for visual evidence of mold. We are qualified to abate mold growth, but we do not test the air or surfaces for mold spores.
We recommend calling our office for a referral company who can perform the air and surface sampling for you.

Q: What causes mold?
A: Mold is caused by excess moisture and it feeds off of organic material such as wood, drywall, or dust. It also requires the right level of air humidity.

Q: Can mold spread throughout my house?
A: It all depends on whether the mold spores have been disturbed. Do not try to treat mold on your own. Without the proper containment and protective equipment, you may spread it to other areas of your home unintentionally. We are able to isolate the mold and eliminate it completely to prevent any regrowth in the future.

Q: I think I’m having mold related health problems, what should I do?
A: Consult your physician. Unfortunately, we cannot say whether mold is or isn’t affecting you. Every individual is different and every mold situation varies.

Q: The color of the mold I see is black, is that bad?
A: Mold is mold, regardless of color. Different kinds of mold affect everyone differently.  Some individuals are more sensitive to others. Consult your doctor if you feel as though you are having mold related health problems.

Q: Can I use bleach to kill mold?
A: Beach is corrosive and may be harmful. Mold growth is due to excess moisture and organic materials so using liquid bleach may provide temporary remediation, but if not properly dried, can cause mold regrowth in the future. Bleach is most often not a permanent solution to the mold problem.

Drainage Remediation FAQs

Q: I have ground water coming into my crawlspace, is that treatable?
A: Absolutely. There are several solutions to this problem such as our interior crawlspace drain systems. It is best to have a Ness Restoration expert do an on-site visit to determine the best solution.

Q: The ground in my crawlspace is currently dry, but there are white mineral deposits along my foundation, what is this?
A: These white mineral deposits, or efflorescent are evidence of previous water intrusion in that area. Water intrusion in crawlspaces can vary dependent on the season and at times it is recommended that you have a drain system installed to ensure there is no standing water in the future.

Q: Whats the big deal about water in the crawlspace?
A: Standing water in a crawlspace not removed properly can lead to a slew of problems