Frequently Asked Questions About Water Damage in Fort Myers, FL

The duration required to dry your property depends on several factors: the water’s source, its duration, and location; the type of building materials involved; prevailing weather conditions; and the immediacy of the response to the emergency. While there’s no fixed timeline for drying, ServiceMaster by Wright estimates it could span anywhere from three to five days, if not longer, depending on the conditions.

The most accurate method to confirm complete dryness is through specialized testing with ServiceMaster by Wright‘s equipment. Simply relying on touch can be misleading.

Not necessarily. ServiceMaster by Wright will adjust the temperature to its optimum setting for the proper drying conditions. Please don’t alter the settings or turn off the HVAC system, as it could extend the drying time.

During the drying phase, wood flooring requires careful evaluation. ServiceMaster by Wright employs specialized drying systems and dehumidifiers to ensure that wooden floors dry effectively and return to their original shape. Due to the density of hardwood flooring and urethane finishes, the drying might take an extended period. If you’ve submitted an insurance claim, your adjuster will collaborate with you to determine if the floors should be refinished or replaced.

The extent of damage and the furniture’s construction will decide whether it can be restored. It’s essential to dry your furniture first to assess the damage accurately. We’ll record any furniture that can’t be saved, and if there’s a need to dispose of any items, we’ll require a signed customer release form.

Safety remains our top priority. While ServiceMaster by Wright strives to make equipment as childproof as possible, it’s crucial for you to ensure children don’t tamper with it. The equipment, such as air movers and dehumidifiers, will produce some noise and could make your home drafty for several days. To ensure the most effective restoration, it’s vital to keep the equipment running. If the noise becomes bothersome, you might decide to stay elsewhere temporarily.

During the drying process, it’s common to smell certain odors. Smells coming from drying building materials or previously unnoticed spill areas can increase due to heightened heat and humidity. It’s essential to distinguish these typical scents from the distinct smell of mold. As the process advances and the humidity reduces, these smells will naturally fade away. We also utilize deodorizers to help mitigate any lingering scents.

Typically not. If there’s a need to move items out, ServiceMaster by Wright will inform you beforehand.

Technicians from ServiceMaster by Wright will assess the moisture levels, gauge the damage’s extent, and might need to remove parts of your ceiling for better ventilation. Wet insulation can pose risks and might require removal.

It’s not always advisable to open your windows to aid the drying process. The conditions outdoors can change, and our technician will decide if and when the outside air is appropriate.

ServiceMaster by Wright highly recommends limiting foot traffic in the affected area. For your safety, it’s best to wear shoes when navigating through.

Several factors might render your carpet beyond repair:

• Delamination (when the carpet fiber separates from its backing)
• Adhesive loss (may be due to extended water exposure or the carpet’s age)
• Unremovable stains
• Carpet covers wood flooring (to salvage the wood flooring)
• Contamination from sewage

Flooring that doesn’t allow water to pass through can trap moisture and hinder effective drying. We’ll assess special types of floors and make every effort to restore them.

For safety concerns, we typically don’t remove carpet on the stairs. Exposed staples or tack strips can pose hazards. Yet, in instances like potential damage to hardwood steps or sewage exposure, carpet removal becomes essential. We advise against taking out tack strips, as it might harm the hardwood or subfloor. Extreme caution must be used whenever the tack strip is exposed or when the carpeted stairs are damp. If the current carpet on the stairs is beyond saving, it’ll be taken out when installing a new one.

A pad sample is taken to the ServiceMaster by Wright facility for matching. If an exact match is available, it will be used. If not, ServiceMaster by Wright ensures a pad of equivalent quality, thickness, and density is provided. Note that the color of a similar pad might vary depending on its manufacturing date.

We transport rugs to our specialized warehouse for meticulous care. Proper drying methods are employed to prevent color bleeding and discoloration. Once dried and cleaned, your rugs will be promptly returned to you.

When faced with water damage, materials like drywall (sheetrock), baseboards, and subflooring can soak up water. To effectively dry these materials, we use high-velocity air movers that accelerate the release of absorbed water into the air. Additionally, dehumidifiers are needed to remove this moisture to protect property and establish the right environment for effective drying. For the best results, please don’t switch off or relocate the drying equipment without discussing it with our office first.

ServiceMaster by Wright‘s water damage mitigation specialists will place and monitor equipment to achieve optimal results in the shortest amount of time. Please make sure no one turns the equipment off or relocates it. Please immediately alert ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947 if the power goes off or if the equipment shuts down.

On average, running each piece of drying equipment might cost under $1 daily based on typical electric rates. However, the actual cost might vary based on your local electricity provider’s charges.

Hard surfaces can undergo cleaning and sanitization. Items that can’t be sanitized need to be discarded. Porous materials like drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, and paneling, if directly impacted, are typically removed during ServiceMaster by Wright‘s initial service visit.

As the property owner, the responsibility for payment falls on you. You’ll be required to sign a form that authorizes the work and its payment. If you’re filing an insurance claim, ServiceMaster by Wright generally collects only the deductible amount and bills the balance to your insurance provider as a service to you. For any queries, don’t hesitate to reach ServiceMaster by Wright at (239) 431-9947.