Water, Fire, and Mold Restoration in Phoenix, AZ

Are homes near Phoenix canals more likely to flood?

They can be. Some of the Phoenix spots that flood again and again are places where storm water backs up against a canal bank, sometimes a foot deep or more. If your property sits on the uphill side of a canal or lower than the ground around it, keep your yard drains clear before monsoon season. When storm water does get inside, our crew pumps it out and disinfects the floors before drying the rooms.

My Phoenix home was built before 1980. Should it be tested for asbestos or lead paint before repairs?

Yes, if the repairs will open up walls, ceilings, or floors. About 4 in 10 Phoenix homes date from before 1980, and in a house that age, asbestos can be in popcorn ceilings, old vinyl floor tiles, and other materials you can’t identify by looking. Homes built before 1978 may also have lead-based paint, and sanding or scraping it creates dust that’s especially harmful to young children, so painted surfaces should be tested before that kind of work starts. Tell us your home’s age when you call, and our crew will test any material that has to come out for asbestos before cutting into it.

My home is in a Phoenix historic district. What do I need before repairing storm or fire damage outside?

Usually just a quick sign-off from city staff. Historic review only covers exterior work that needs a building permit, so painting and other work that doesn’t need a permit can go ahead without it. Repairs to documented storm or fire damage typically qualify for staff approval rather than a full hearing, but replacing the entire roof structure goes to a full review. Before work starts, our crew photographs the damage, so you have documentation to include with your application.

Can mold grow after a small leak or flood, even in a desert climate like Phoenix?

Yes. Dry air outside doesn’t dry out the inside of a wall or the padding under a carpet, so even a little monsoon water that gets into a home can lead to mold weeks later. It’s a common problem in central Phoenix, where storm water spreads across lots and pools against houses outside mapped flood zones. Our crews dry the structure, confirm it with moisture readings, and remove any mold that has already started.

What’s the safest way to handle soot after a fire?

Keep children and pets out of the sooty rooms and leave the cleanup to our crew, since soot and the dirty water left after a fire can carry substances that make people sick. We clean the soot off the walls and ceilings, then deodorize the rooms the smoke got into.

Does homeowners insurance cover a sewer backup in Phoenix?

It does if your policy includes sewer and drain backup coverage, which many standard policies leave out unless you’ve added it. In most Phoenix properties, the owner is responsible for the sewer line that runs from the building to the city’s main line, and grease and tree roots are the two main causes of backups. Sewage is contaminated water, so our crew removes it, cuts out the drywall and flooring it soaked, and disinfects the area before drying it.