Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about water, fire, mold, storms, older-building hazards, insurance and working with Strongwater.
FAQ
Water & leaks
How do I find out where a leak is coming from?
Start with what’s above and beside the wet spot: bathrooms, kitchens, radiators, the roof or the apartment upstairs. Water travels along pipes and framing before it shows up, so the stain is often not directly under the source. Moisture readings trace the path. See water damage restoration.
Should I turn the heat up to dry things out?
Not on its own. Heat speeds evaporation, but without dehumidification the moisture just moves into the air and settles into other materials. Proper drying balances air movement and dehumidifiers, and checks readings as it goes.
My basement smells musty after it rains. Is that a problem?
It usually means moisture is getting in and something is staying damp long enough to grow mold or mildew. Find out where the water enters, dry the space and check finished walls and carpet. See mold remediation.
FAQ
Fire & smoke
Who secures my house after a fire?
The owner is responsible for securing it, and a restoration company can do the board-up and roof tarping for you, often the same day the fire department releases the property. See fire damage restoration.
Why does my whole house smell like smoke when the fire was in one room?
Smoke moves with air currents, through hallways, stairways, ducts and wall cavities, and it settles into porous materials far from the fire. Cleaning has to follow where the smoke went. See smoke damage restoration.
FAQ
Mold, asbestos & lead
Do I need a mold inspection before remediation in New York?
For mold projects over ten square feet, New York’s mold law separates the assessment from the remediation, and the same individual can’t do both on one property. Expect an assessor’s evaluation before the remediation contractor starts.
My house was built before 1978. What should I know before renovating?
It may contain lead-based paint, and the EPA’s renovation rule applies to paid work that disturbs paint in older homes. Older buildings may also contain asbestos, and New York requires an asbestos survey before renovation or demolition. See lead paint and asbestos.
FAQ
Storms & floods
What should I do first when the basement floods in a storm?
Stay out of the water if the electrical panel or outlets are in it, and wait for the water to stop rising. Photograph the water line and damaged items, then call for pumping and cleanup. See storm and flood damage.
Can you remove a tree that came down on a house?
Yes. Our storm crews cut up and remove fallen trees, then cover the opening and repair the damage under it.
FAQ
Insurance, buildings & working with us
Do you handle my insurance claim?
No. We document the damage, write a detailed scope and estimate, and can walk through it with your adjuster. The claim, coverage decisions and any negotiation stay between you and your insurer, or a licensed public adjuster if you hire one.
Do you work for co-op and condo boards?
Yes. Managing agents, boards and building owners hire us for losses in units and common areas, and the scope follows what they approve. See restoration for property managers.
Which areas do you cover?
Westchester County, Fairfield County in Connecticut and New York City, from our office in Harrison. See service areas, or call (718) 357-9191 and ask about your address.
Is your phone line staffed outside business hours?
It is. Calls to (718) 357-9191 are answered 24 hours a day, weekends and holidays included, because burst pipes and fires don’t wait for Monday.
Is there a fee for the first visit?
No. The inspection and estimate are free, and you’ll have the scope in hand before anything is scheduled.
Talk to Strongwater
Still have a question?
Ask us directly at (718) 357-9191.