COMMON QUESTIONS
Common Questions
Jump to: The call · The work · Insurance & cost
The Call
Who answers when I dial (425) 584-1660?
Your call goes to a participating water damage restoration company that works in your area. It's an independent business, not Water Damage Renton. It will ask about the damage and arrange to look at it.
Do I need to know what caused it before calling?
No. Say where the water is, how much there is and whether it's still coming. The company works out the cause.
Does calling cost anything?
No. You pay only if you hire a company, and the price is agreed between you and that company.
How is this site paid?
When you dial (425) 584-1660, your call goes to an independent local restoration company. Water Damage Renton doesn't do the work, set prices or guarantee results, so check any company's registration and insurance before you hire it. The site may earn a fee from a contractor or marketing partner for calls placed through it, and you pay nothing for calling. More on the Disclaimer.
The Work
How long does drying take?
For an ordinary leak, equipment often runs several days. Crawl spaces, hardwood, concrete and flood jobs take longer. It's finished when meter readings in the wet area match readings in dry parts of the house, not on a fixed day.
Is it safe to sleep at home while equipment runs?
Often, after a clean-water leak, if the power is safe. The equipment is loud and keeps running overnight. After a flood, or if water reached outlets or the panel, staying may not be safe; ask the company.
Why does wet drywall get cut out?
Drywall that sat in water wicks it upward, and flood water leaves contamination in the paper and gypsum. Cutting a strip off the bottom lets air reach the cavity and removes what can't be cleaned.
The leak came from the unit above mine. What do I do?
Tell your landlord or building manager, photograph the damage and move your belongings out of the way. Don't let the question of who pays hold up the drying. Renters and apartment leaks.
Insurance & Cost
Will my homeowners policy pay for water damage?
Sudden, accidental water from inside, like a burst pipe or a failed supply line, is often covered. River flooding and surface water usually need separate flood insurance, and slow leaks are often excluded. Your policy decides. Flood vs. homeowners insurance.
Why can't I get a price over the phone?
Because nobody knows the size of the job until the moisture is mapped. Two kitchens with the same puddle can hide very different damage under the floor. What a cleanup bill is made of.
How do I check a restoration company?
Look up its Washington Labor & Industries registration, ask for proof of insurance and get a written scope that separates drying from repairs. How to check a contractor.