Blog: restoration guides for homeowners

Careful, sourced answers to the questions people ask us when water, smoke or mold has got into the house: what to do first, what the industry standards say, and how the rules in California and Texas work.

Water damage

• What to do after water damage

  The first day in order: stop the water, stay safe around power, photograph, save belongings, dry and report.

• Water damage categories explained

  Clean, gray and black water under the S500 standard, why water gets worse with time, and what each category means.

Fire and smoke

• Smoke smell after a house fire

  Why the odor lingers, what removes it at the source, what only covers it, and a caution about ozone.

Mold

• Texas mold assessment and remediation

  Why Texas uses two separate licensees, the protocol, the certificate, and how to check a license.