Questions about water damage in Asheville
Answers to the questions Asheville homeowners ask most about river flooding, freezes, drying, mold, insurance and the 24/7 line. Each answer is written to be checked against your own policy and your own house.
- Phones answered 24/7
- Basements, crawl spaces, ice-split pipes
- Mountain valleys and river flooding
Get a fast quote
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
Calls and crews
How do I reach you at night?
Call the line, which is answered 24 hours a day, every day. A crew is sent as soon as one is free.
Will someone come out during a storm?
A crew is sent as soon as one is free and it is safe to reach the house. The wait can be longer in a storm, and no arrival time is promised.
What should I do while I wait?
Close the main if a line is running, keep out of standing water near electricity, move people and valuables up and out, and photograph the damage.
Can I speak to the company that will attend?
The company is named when you ask on the phone, and its licence and insurance details are given then.
River and storm water
Is river water dangerous?
It can be. River water carries silt and can carry sewage, so treat it as contaminated and keep children and pets out of it.
Why are the carpet and lower drywall removed?
Porous material that stood in river or storm water holds silt and moisture that drying does not clear, so it is generally removed and listed.
How long does a flooded lower floor take to dry?
Often several weeks, because the framing and subfloor hold water deep inside. The drying runs until the readings reach standard.
Freezes and ice
Why did the pipe leak days after the freeze?
Because the water in the split line stayed still while frozen, and it began to leak as the ice melted and the pressure returned.
Should I let the taps drip during a freeze?
Letting a tap drip can help during a very cold spell, especially on an outside wall. It does not replace heat or insulation.
Can I thaw a pipe with a flame?
No. An open flame can ignite framing or insulation and can split a pipe. Warm the room or call a plumber.
Drying, mold and claims
When is the house dry?
When the readings reach standard at every measured point. A dry-looking surface is not the test.
Is mold certified here?
No North Carolina state mold-remediation licence was found in an official source. Ask the company what it holds and what each certification covers.
Will my insurer pay?
That depends on the policy and the cause. Many standard policies exclude river flood and gradual leaks. Ask the insurer in writing, and keep the record.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.