Question 1

How quickly should water damage be addressed?

Accepted Answer

Water damage should be addressed within the first 24 hours to prevent secondary damage. Water spreads at approximately 1 inch per minute through porous materials like drywall and carpet. Within 24-48 hours, mold spores begin colonizing on wet surfaces. Within 48-72 hours, wood begins warping and metal starts corroding. The faster you call, the more we can save—and the lower your restoration costs will be.

Question 2

What are the signs of hidden water damage?

Accepted Answer

Hidden water damage shows these warning signs: musty odors in walls or cabinets, discolored patches on ceilings or walls (often yellowish or brown), peeling or bubbling paint, warping or buckling hardwood floors, soft spots in flooring, increased humidity levels, persistent condensation on windows, and higher-than-normal water bills. If you notice any of these, we provide free moisture inspections using thermal imaging cameras that detect water you can't see.

Question 3

How much does water damage restoration cost?

Accepted Answer

Water damage restoration costs vary based on the extent and type of damage. Small localized leaks average $1,200-$3,500, moderate damage to one room runs $3,500-$8,000, and whole-house flooding ranges from $10,000-$50,000+. Most homeowners insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage (such as burst pipes) but not gradual leaks or flooding. We work directly with your insurance company, and you typically only pay your deductible. We provide free estimates and can start work before insurance approval in emergencies.

Question 4

Will my homeowner's insurance cover water damage restoration?

Accepted Answer

Most homeowner's insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage such as burst pipes, appliance failures, roof leaks from storms, and plumbing malfunctions. Insurance typically does NOT cover gradual leaks, maintenance issues, flooding from outside sources (requires separate flood insurance), or sewage backups (unless you have sewer backup endorsement). As a preferred vendor for major carriers, we handle the entire claims process, provide detailed documentation, and communicate directly with adjusters to maximize your coverage.

Question 5

How long does water damage restoration take?

Accepted Answer

Standard water damage restoration takes 5-7 days: Day 1 for extraction and equipment setup, Days 2-5 for structural drying with daily monitoring, and Days 6-7 for equipment removal and reconstruction prep. Severe flooding may require 7-10 days of drying. Complete reconstruction adds 1-4 weeks depending on scope. Factors affecting timeline include: extent of water spread, material types affected (hardwood takes longer than carpet), category of water (clean vs. sewage), and insurance approval speed. We provide detailed timelines during initial assessment.

Question 6

Can you save my hardwood floors after water damage?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in many cases. When we arrive within 24-48 hours, we can save 60-70% of hardwood floors using specialized mat drying systems that extract moisture without removal. We place weighted mats directly on the flooring connected to vacuum systems that pull moisture out through the wood grain. However, floors cupped more than 1/4 inch, floors showing black staining (mold), or floors exposed to sewage typically require replacement. Engineered hardwood has a lower save rate than solid hardwood. We assess your specific floors and provide honest recommendations.

Question 7

What's the difference between water mitigation and water restoration?

Accepted Answer

Water mitigation is the emergency response phase that stops the damage from getting worse. This includes water extraction, content protection, antimicrobial treatment, and structural drying (typically Days 1-7). Water restoration is the reconstruction phase that returns your home to its pre-loss condition. This includes drywall replacement, painting, flooring installation, and fixture reinstallation (typically Days 7-30+). We handle both phases seamlessly, so you have one point of contact from emergency through completion.

Question 8

Do I need to leave my home during water damage restoration?

Accepted Answer

Most water damage projects allow you to remain in your home, though the affected areas will be noisy and inconvenient during drying (3-5 days). Our industrial equipment runs 24/7 and produces noise similar to a loud fan. You may need to relocate if: the damage affects most of the home, sewage contamination is present, mold growth exceeds 25 square feet, or no utilities are available. We'll assess your specific situation and provide honest guidance. If relocation is necessary, your insurance policy may cover additional living expenses.

Question 9

What should I do immediately after discovering water damage?

Accepted Answer

Take these immediate steps:
Stop the water source if safe to do so, shut off the main water valve, or close the supply line
Turn off electricity to affected areas if water is near outlets or appliances
Remove valuable items from wet areas if safe
Do NOT use a household vacuum to remove water (electrocution risk)
Open windows if the weather permits to increase ventilation
Take photos for insurance documentation
Call us immediately at (937) 540-1900 We'll guide you through next steps while our team is en route. Do not delay; every hour increases damage exponentially.

Question 10

How do you prevent mold after water damage?

Accepted Answer

Mold prevention requires three critical steps:
Complete water removal within 24 hours We use truck-mounted extractors removing 95% of water
Thorough structural drying within 72 hours We achieve moisture levels below 15% using industrial dehumidifiers
Antimicrobial treatment We apply EPA-registered solutions to all affected surfaces within 48 hours. We also use HEPA air scrubbers during drying to capture airborne mold spores. Our moisture meters verify materials are completely dry before reconstruction begins. If existing mold is discovered, we follow IICRC S520 protocols for safe remediation.

Question 11

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Boone Restoration is fully licensed, bonded, and insured in Ohio. Our technicians hold IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), and Applied Microbial Remediation (AMRT). We carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance protecting you from liability. We're also a preferred vendor for major insurance carriers including State Farm, Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, Allstate, and others, meaning we meet their stringent qualification standards.

Question 12

What types of water damage do you handle?

Accepted Answer

We handle all three categories defined by the IICRC: Category 1 (Clean Water) from supply lines, faucets, and appliances—lowest health risk. Category 2 (Gray Water) from washing machines, dishwashers, and toilet overflow (no feces)—contains contaminants requiring cleaning. Category 3 (Black Water) from sewage, flooding, and groundwater—highest health risk requiring hazmat protocols and complete material removal. We're equipped and certified for all categories with proper PPE, EPA-registered disinfectants, and safe disposal procedures.

Question 13

Do you work with my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is one of our core services. We're preferred vendors for major carriers and work directly with adjusters daily.
Our process:
We document damage with detailed photos and moisture readings
Upload information directly to your claim
Create estimates in Xactimate (the same software insurers use) so there's no negotiation
Communicate directly with adjusters for approvals
Handle supplemental claims if additional damage is discovered. You maintain final approval on all work, but we eliminate the back-and-forth. This typically results in approvals 3-5 days faster than using non-preferred vendors.

Water damage

Do you have water damage? We're here to help.

24/7 Emergency Response

Services We Provide

What to Expect: Our Step-by-Step Process

1

Emergency Contact

3

Damage Assessment

5

Structural Drying

7

Project Completion

2

Rapid Response

4

Emergency Mitigation

6

Reconstruction

8

Average Timeline

What to Do Right Now If You Have Water Damage

Immediate Actions (Do This First):

While Waiting for Our Team:

Common Water Damage Scenarios

Scenario 1

Scenario 2

Scenario 3

Scenario 4

Scenario 5

Frequently asked questions