General
About the referral line
Who answers when I call?
An independent restoration company that takes jobs in the Salt Lake Valley. This site is a referral service; it doesn't send anyone itself.
Is there any obligation?
No. The call is a conversation. Pricing, scheduling and whether to hire are between you and the contractor.
How much will restoration cost?
It depends on how much water, the type of water, how long it sat, which materials got wet and what has to be rebuilt. The contractor prices the job after seeing it; this site doesn't quote prices.
Do you cover cities outside Salt Lake City?
Calls are taken from Salt Lake City and nearby cities including South Salt Lake, Millcreek, Murray, Cottonwood Heights, West Valley City.
Should I call my insurer first?
Stop the water and make the home safe first. The Utah Insurance Department advises contacting your insurer or agent as soon as possible and not having permanent repairs made until the insurer has inspected.
Water Damage Restoration
Water Damage Restoration
How long does structural drying take?
Often three to five days for clean water caught early. Hardwood floors, plaster, thick carpet pad or water that sat for days take longer. The moisture log decides when equipment comes out, not the calendar.
Do I have to leave the house?
Usually not for clean-water jobs. The equipment is loud and runs constantly, so some families move out of the affected rooms. Sewage or heavy mold may be different; ask the contractor.
Will the contractor talk to my insurer?
Many restoration companies are used to documenting jobs for insurance. This site does not handle claims and cannot say what your policy covers. See the Utah insurance basics page.
Water Extraction & Drying
Water Extraction & Drying
Can wet carpet be saved?
Often, if the water was clean and it is extracted and dried quickly. The pad underneath is usually replaced. Carpet soaked by sewage is normally removed.
Why are holes being drilled in my wall?
Small holes near the floor let dry air into the wall cavity, which can save the drywall from being cut out. They are patched during repairs.
Can I turn the equipment off at night?
Drying stalls when the machines stop, and moisture settles back into the materials. Talk to the contractor if noise is a problem.
Frozen & Burst Pipes
Frozen & Burst Pipes
Should I try to thaw a frozen pipe myself?
Gentle warmth from a hair dryer or space heater kept well away from anything flammable is the usual advice. Never use an open flame. If you can't find the frozen section, or it has already split, call a plumber.
Is a burst pipe covered by insurance?
The Utah Insurance Department notes that frozen pipe damage may not be covered when it results from negligence, such as not keeping enough heat in the home. Your own policy decides; ask your insurer.
Does replacing the split pipe need a permit?
Salt Lake City's building permit FAQ says installing or altering plumbing systems requires a permit. Emergency work can start first, with the permit obtained as soon as practical. Your plumber should know the rules.
Flooded Basement Cleanup
Flooded Basement Cleanup
Is basement flooding covered by homeowners insurance?
It depends on the source. The Utah Insurance Department lists flood damage and water from backed-up drains or sewers among things most standard policies don't cover, though endorsements may be available. Check your policy.
Can I pump the water out myself?
A small amount of clean water, yes, once the power is safe. Deep water against foundation walls is often pumped out in stages. Sewage should be left to people with the right protective gear.
What about my furnace and water heater?
If either sat in water, have it checked before use. The city's Rose Park guidance noted that gas appliances exposed to water will not be relit by the gas company and private contractors may be needed.
Sewage Backup Cleanup
Sewage Backup Cleanup
Will the city clean up my basement?
The city's responsibility graphic places the lateral and the connection with the homeowner, and its Rose Park guidance says private contractors may be needed for interior water and sewer issues. Report the backup anyway so the city can check the main.
Can I clean up sewage myself?
Small amounts on a hard floor, with gloves, boots and a disinfectant, some people do. Anything soaked into carpet, drywall or insulation is better left to a contractor with protective equipment.
Does insurance pay for sewer backups?
The Utah Insurance Department lists water damage from backed-up drains or sewers among items most standard policies exclude, and says some insurers offer endorsements. Your policy decides.
Storm & Roof Leak Damage
Storm & Roof Leak Damage
Does homeowners insurance cover storm leaks?
The Utah Insurance Department lists wind and wind-driven rain among perils covered under most standard policies, but not interior water damage from a storm when the roof or walls weren't damaged. Read your own policy.
Who should I call first, roofer or restoration contractor?
If water is still coming in, the opening needs covering first. Many restoration contractors can tarp a roof temporarily; the permanent repair is a roofer's job.
Is runoff through a window well a flood?
Policies define flood their own way. Utah's insurance regulator notes that flood damage is generally not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Ask your insurer how they classify water from outside.
Appliance & Water Heater Leaks
Appliance & Water Heater Leaks
My water heater leaked. Can I keep using it?
A leak from the tank itself usually means replacement. A leak from a fitting or valve may be repairable. Turn it off and have a plumber look at it.
How do I know if a slow leak caused mold?
A musty smell, warped flooring, swollen cabinet bases or stains are signs. A contractor can take moisture readings and look inside cavities.
Who replaces the damaged cabinets?
Some restoration contractors rebuild; others dry only and hand off. Ask at the start.
Fire & Smoke Damage
Fire & Smoke Damage
Can smoke smell be removed completely?
Usually, once the soot and the materials holding the odor are cleaned or removed. Covering it with fragrance doesn't work; it comes back on warm days.
Do I need a separate company for the water?
Many fire restoration contractors also handle the water from firefighting. Ask on the call.
What about furniture and clothes?
Many items can be cleaned by specialists, especially hard furniture and washable fabrics. Photograph and list everything first, and keep damaged items until your insurer says otherwise.
Mold Remediation
Mold Remediation
Do I need mold testing?
Often not. The EPA says that in most cases, when mold growth is visible, sampling is unnecessary; the response is the same either way: fix the moisture and remove the growth. Ask the contractor why it recommends a test if it does.
Can bleach fix it?
Killing mold isn't enough: the EPA notes that dead mold can still cause allergic reactions, so it has to be removed. It also warns never to mix chlorine bleach with cleaners containing ammonia. And bleach does nothing about the moisture.
Is mold covered by insurance?
It often depends on whether the mold came from a covered water event. Ask your insurer; this site can't say what your policy covers.
Salt Lake Valley
Talk the damage through with a local restoration contractor
A single call reaches an independent contractor that handles water, smoke and mold jobs in Salt Lake City and the surrounding cities. You decide whether to book anything.
Water where it shouldn't be?
The call goes to an independent restoration contractor that takes jobs in the Salt Lake Valley. Describe the source, the rooms involved and when it started.
Call (801) 823-6866Calls may be recorded for quality and billing. How the line is paid: referral disclosure. What is recorded: privacy.