FAQ
What should I do if I have a fire at my house? Contact G.A.R.S. immediately and our expert fire damage restoration specialist will give you a free consultation on what needs to get done. We will go over each step necessary to complete the job.
I think that I might have mold in my home, what should I do?
Call G.A.R.S., Inc and have their trained technicians investigate and let you know for sure.
Can Mold in my home be unhealthy?
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with a chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
Will mold go away by itself?
No. Mold will continue to grow until it is completely killed and removed.
What is involved in removing the mold from my house?
The process varies depending on the source of the mold and its current infestation state. For mold to grow, it must be in a moist setting. All moisture must be removed. The source of the water must be found and repaired. The area must be dried, scraped and treated with an anti-microbial agent. This could involve removal of drywall and carpets.
How long will it take to remove the mold?
This depends on exactly what work will be necessary. The usual drying time is a minimum of 2 days and could be as long as 7 days depending on the source of moisture.
Are there specialty cleaning techniques for fire damage?
Yes, they include specialty air and structural techniques using special equipment and scrubbers.
Why is it important to wipe down the walls after a fire?
If the soot from the fire is allowed to remain on the walls, it prohibits a fresh coat of paint from attaching to the wall surface. The soot is also acidic, and if permitted to remain on porous services it can destroy the material it is on, causing much more damage than the fire originally caused.
Why do I need to have the ducts cleaned?
The ducts need to be cleaned for the same reason as given above. Soot and other particles from the fire will travel into the ducts and settle there. When your A/C is turned on, it will blow into other rooms and settle on the furniture, carpet and walls. It will also be suspended in the air you breathe and could cause respiratory problems for you and your family.
What should I do if there is a sewage spill at my house/office?
Call G.A.R.S. immediately. The sewage could cause serious health problems for you and your family the longer it remains in your house. G.A.R.S. trained technicians come prepared with all the sanitation equipment needed to clean and sanitize your residence or business. Our crews are trained to isolate the spillage from the remainder of the property and clean the affected areas. The crews will remove the sewage from your property leaving your property in a pre-sewage condition.
What dangers are contained in the sewage?
This depends on the nature of the sewage itself. These are some of the disease causing organisms in Sewage: Hepatitis A, Respiratory Disease, Bacteria, Bacillary Dysentery, Salmonella and Balontidiasis.
If I have wet carpet, tile, walls/ceiling, and/or contents, why can’t I let these items dry on their own?
The only way to properly dry wet building materials and contents is to use blowers and dehumidifiers; you will almost certainly develop mold/mildew if you allow building materials and contents air dry.
How long will the equipment run and should I keep it on 24 hours a day?
Drying usually takes a minimum of 3 days, but it varies according to size of loss, indoor/outdoor conditions, and the affected materials. Equipment may be turned off to sleep.
G.A.R.S. uses the same estimating price list, Xactimate, as 75% of insurance companies and agrees to a total scope price by meeting with adjusters on-site. This is the industry standard and we abide by it.