Water damage? We’re on our way.

Immediately. Water can start causing structural damage and mold growth within 24-72 hours (IICRC S520). The faster you act, the more damage (and cost) you can prevent.

No. Clean water comes from a supply line or pipe. Gray water comes from a washing machine, dishwasher, or a toilet overflow without waste. Black water comes from sewage, outside flooding, or water that sat long enough to grow bacteria. Clean water left a couple of days can turn into gray or black water. Black water needs protective gear, removal of porous materials, and disinfection. We handle all three. Do not clean up sewage or floodwater yourself. Keep children and pets away from sewage and floodwater.

Watch for a musty smell, stains or bubbling paint on walls or ceilings, baseboards pulling away, warped or cupping floors, soft spots underfoot, or a water bill that jumps for no reason. We check with thermal imaging and moisture meters, which find wet areas behind walls and under floors without tearing anything out. Sometimes a small opening is needed to confirm. The inspection is free.

Mop up surface water and run fans if it is safe. The problem is the water you cannot see. Drywall, subfloor, and cabinet bases soak it up and stay wet long after the surface feels dry, and household fans cannot pull it out. That is where mold and rot start. A free inspection with moisture meters tells you whether your cleanup was enough.

Drying usually takes 3-7 days after extraction. We measure the humidity in the air and the moisture in the wood and drywall as it dries. The equipment comes out when the readings show the structure is dry, not on a fixed schedule. Repairs come after drying and depend on what had to be removed. Large losses and soaked hardwood can take longer.

Not always. It depends on the extent of the damage and the condition of your contents. If contaminated water is involved or large areas are affected, we may recommend temporary relocation. We may also recommend it if someone in the home is sensitive to mold, has a health condition, or is pregnant. We’ll assess the situation and guide you to the safest option.

Some policies include Additional Living Expenses coverage for a temporary move. Ask your carrier.

Yes. Our reconstruction team handles the rebuild: drywall, paint, trim, flooring, and cabinets. You work with one company from the first call to the final walkthrough.

Mold can start within 24-72 hours, so fast drying is the best prevention. If we find mold during the job, we contain the area so spores do not spread, remove affected materials, and treat and dry the structure. It is part of the same job, not a second company. See mold removal.

Call us first. Your first description to your insurer often sets the scope of the claim, and most water damage is out of sight in drywall, subfloor, and insulation. We inspect for free and document what we find, so you can describe the full loss accurately the first time. Already called your insurer? That is fine. Call us next.

Stop the source and take photos before anything is moved. Call us for a free inspection so the damage is documented. Then call your insurer, report the loss, and get a claim number. Keep damaged items until the adjuster has seen them, and keep receipts for anything you spend. Many policies ask you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, so drying should not wait for the adjuster’s visit. Check your policy. We send the adjuster our documentation and answer their questions.

Coverage usually comes down to two things: what caused the water, and how long it had been going on. A pipe that burst last night is usually covered. A drip under the sink that rotted the cabinet over months usually is not. Water from outside flooding or a sewer backup is handled differently (storm damage and insurance). Your policy makes the call, and your agent can tell you what yours includes. We document the source and how far the water spread, so your insurer has the facts from the start.

It can. Call us even if you do not own the property. We work with tenants, landlords, and their insurance companies when a rental property is damaged. Depending on the cause, we contact the property owner before we start work.

We document the damage, provide photos and moisture readings when applicable, and help make sure the involved insurance companies have a clear record of the loss. Coverage depends on the individual policies and the cause of the damage.

It depends on how much water there was, how long it sat, what it soaked into, and whether walls or floors have to come out. Most of that is out of sight until someone measures it, so we inspect before we price anything. A number given over the phone would be a guess, and a guess is not fair to you, to your insurer, or to us. The inspection is free and you get a written estimate. With a covered claim, you usually pay your deductible and the policy pays the rest. For small losses, the estimate helps you decide whether to file. If you are paying out of pocket, we give you a rough estimate on site.

The calls we see most often involve aging water heaters, appliance supply lines, plumbing failures, clogged AC condensate drains, and frozen pipes during cold snaps.

A few things are worth checking before they become emergencies:

• Check around the base of your water heater for rust or moisture.
• Inspect washer, dishwasher, refrigerator and toilet supply lines.
• Keep vulnerable pipes protected during hard freezes.
• Have HVAC condensate drains checked before cooling season.

For roof, basement, or sewer water after heavy rain, see storm damage.

Royalty Restoration provides 24/7 water damage restoration from Cumming throughout Forsyth County and surrounding North Georgia communities, including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Suwanee, Buford, Gainesville, and other areas farther out. See our Service Area page for complete coverage.