Who to Contact After a Fire?... PUDDLES of PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville, FL
websitebuilder • April 2, 2024
Quack! Quack! Fires are scary, and the aftermath can be overwhelming. But fear not, feathered friends, because PUDDLES is here to guide you through the process of who to contact after a fire.
Unveiling the Costs of DIY Mold Removal
First: Getting everyone, including pets, out safely is the absolute priority during a fire. Once you're safe, here's who you should contact to navigate the recovery process:
- Emergency Services (9-1-1): This is a no-brainer! Even if the fire seems under control, contacting the fire department ensures a thorough inspection and prevents potential flare-ups.
- Local Law Enforcement: Having law enforcement secure the scene can prevent looting and unauthorized access. Additionally, they can file a fire report, which might be required by your insurance company.
- Call PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville: Our team of restoration experts will handle the cleanup and repairs, and we can also work with your insurance company to ensure a smooth claims process. Let us help you get back on your feet after a fire.
- Your Insurance Company:
Don't delay! Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the fire is extinguished. Their adjusters will assess the damage and help you understand your coverage options.
Here are some helpful tips for contacting your insurance company:
- Gather your policy information: Have your policy number readily available.
- Document the damage: Take photos and videos of the fire damage as soon as it's safe to do so. This will be crucial for your claim.
- Be honest and detailed: Explain the cause of the fire (if known) and the extent of the damage to your property and belongings.
- Ask questions:
Don't be afraid to ask your insurance agent questions about the claims process and your coverage.
A Reputable Restoration Company (PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville!)
Now, let's talk about your trusted allies in the recovery process - restoration companies, such as PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville who specialize in fire damage restoration and can help you get your life back on track immediately.
Here's what a professional restoration company like PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville can do for you:
- Emergency Board-Up: We can secure your property with temporary boarding to prevent further damage from the elements or unwanted entry.
- Water Damage Mitigation: Fires often lead to water damage from firefighting efforts. We can start the water damage remediation to dry the property ASAP to minimize mold growth.
- Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot can penetrate deep into walls, furniture, and belongings. We have specialized equipment and techniques to effectively remove smoke residue and minimize lingering odors.
- Content Cleaning and Restoration: We can clean and restore personal belongings, furniture, and electronics that may have been damaged by smoke, fire, or water.
- Structural Repairs: In some cases, fire damage might necessitate structural repairs. We can work with qualified contractors to restore your property.
How do I choose the right restoration company?
That's a quacktastic question! Here are some key factors to consider:
- IICRC Certified Technicians: Ask the restoration company to provide you with a copy of their IICRC certification as a Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) to confirm that they are prepared to perform and document cleaning and deodorization of typical residential or commercial fire and smoke damage projects.
- Experience: Choose a company with a proven track record and experience in fire damage restoration.
- Licensing and Insurance: Ensure the company is properly licensed and insured to protect yourself and your property. Ask for documentation and confirm the insurance is neither expired or canceled.
- 24/7 Availability: Fire emergencies can happen anytime. Choose a company that offers 24/7 emergency services.
- Transparency and Communication: Look for a company that clearly explains their services, costs, and the restoration process.
- Cherry On Top/ IICRC Certified Firm: It is not required, however, IICRC Certified Firms are known for their high level of technical experience and professionalism. With unmatched expertise to complete complex projects, Certified Firms give consumers peace of mind that the job will be completed right the first time.
PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville checks all these boxes and more!
Furthermore, because we are a locally-owned and operated company, we can be at your property within hours of your call, as opposed to days later.
Additional Resources:
- The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): https://www.nfpa.org/en (Provides fire safety information and resources)
- The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS): https://ibhs.org/ (Offers resources on disaster preparedness and recovery)
- The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC):
https://iicrc.org/iicrccertifiedfirm/
Remember, recovering from a fire can be a challenging process. But by reaching out to the right people and prioritizing your safety, you can navigate this difficult time and get your property back to its former glory.
Stay safe and don't hesitate to contact PUDDLES Restoration Services of Gainesville if you need fire damage restoration assistance. We're here for you!
Quackingly yours,
PUDDLES the Duck
EXAMINATION: Individuals seeking licensure as a Mold Remediator must first take and pass a department approved exam for mold remediation. For information about the examination, visit the Examination Information webpage. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE : A copy of a transcript is required demonstrating an Associate of Arts degree or higher in microbiology, engineering, architecture, industrial hygiene or occupational safety or related field of science from an accredited institution. The applicant must also demonstrate a minimum of 1 year of documented field experience in a field related to mold remediation; or a high school diploma and 4 years of documented field experience in a field related to mold remediation. This is not a complete listing of educational and experience requirements. Please see the application instructions page for complete information. FINGERPRINTS: An applicant must have a background check as part of the licensing process. You must submit your fingerprints using a Livescan Service Provider registered with FDLE immediately after submitting your application for licensure. It may take up to five days for your fingerprint results to be received by the Department after they are submitted to the Florida Department of Law enforcement (FDLE). Please note that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement requires that an application for licensure should precede the submission of your fingerprints. To learn more about fingerprinting, please visit our Fingerprinting webpage . INSURANCE: Applicants for a Mold Remediator license are required to attest that they have obtained general liability insurance in the amount of no less than $1 million dollars as determined by statute. FEE: Pay the required fee as provided in the application. If applying online, you can pay with a credit card or electronic check. If mailing your application, please include a check payable to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Military veterans, their spouses and Florida National Guard members may be eligible for a fee waiver, fee reimbursement, and/or fee discount. Please visit our DBPR Military Services page for more information. APPLICATION: Complete the application by clicking on the "Online Services" link or the "Printable Application" link at the bottom of the page. NOTICE FOR APPLICANTS SUBMITTING FINGERPRINTS WHERE CRIMINAL RECORD RESULTS WILL BE USED FOR LICENSING PURPOSES PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@PUDDLESrestoration.com Website: www.PUDDLESrestoration.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puddlesrestoration Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puddlesrestoration/ Licenses & Certifications : • FL Licensed Mold Assessor • FL Licensed Mold Remediator • IICRC Odor Control Technician (OCT) • IICRC Applied Structural Drying (ASD) • IICRC Water Damage Restoration (WRT) • IICRC Health and Safety Technician (HST) • IICRC Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) • IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS) • IICRC Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST) • IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) • IICRC Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) • Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Certified Firm
In the State of Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licenses and regulates mold assessors and mold remediators. To become licensed, individuals need to meet specific education and experience requirements, pass an approved examination, and undergo a criminal background check. Licensing Requirements: Requires specific education (e.g., Associate's degree in a related field) and documented field experience, or a high school diploma with more experience. Mold Remediator: Requires the same educational and experience qualifications as a mold assessor, plus passing a department-approved exam. Examination: Both mold assessors and remediators must pass a state-approved examination. Background Check: A criminal background check is part of the licensing process. Fees: Application and licensing fees apply, and are non-refundable. PUDDLES Restoration Phone: (352) 722-3790 Email: Info@PUDDLESrestoration.com Website: www.PUDDLESrestoration.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puddlesrestoration Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puddlesrestoration/ Licenses & Certifications : • FL Licensed Mold Assessor • FL Licensed Mold Remediator • IICRC Odor Control Technician (OCT) • IICRC Applied Structural Drying (ASD) • IICRC Water Damage Restoration (WRT) • IICRC Health and Safety Technician (HST) • IICRC Mold Remediation Specialist (MRS) • IICRC Commercial Drying Specialist (CDS) • IICRC Trauma and Crime Scene Technician (TCST) • IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) • IICRC Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT) • Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Certified Firm
Two referral partners (Ref Ptnrs A & B) called us to perform an emergency water damage inspection b/c they were told that houses Y & Z were wet. Ref Ptnr A had one business day left for the inspection period. Ref Ptnr B was accused of causing water to get under ¾ inch solid glued-down wood flooring (these were really nice floors), and the contractor started removing the floor. Fortunately, Ref Ptnr B was able to convince the contractor to STOP removing any more flooring by saying, “My guy is licensed and certified and has the correct equipment to determine if the floor is wet, and he [ PUDDLES ] will be here by 7:00 AM tomorrow to inspect the floor.” CONCLUSION: Neither house Y or Z was wet. If the floors had read wet: Ref Ptnr A’s real estate deal would have failed, and Ref Ptnr B would have incurred 10X what he was paid to fix the floor. Our followers know that green is good when using a Protimeter MMS3 moisture meter, but to be safe, we also used a FLIR infrared camera and a Tramex CMEX5 Moisture meter to inspect the ensuite master bathroom-tiled floor.
Slow Leaks vs Fast Leaks Gainesville, FL 32601 We are often asked which is worse: Slow Leaks or Fast Leaks?
Protect your home with expert mold cleanup in Gainesville, FL. Call Puddles Restoration at (352) 722-3790 today for fast and professional service.
Protect your home with expert mold cleanup in Gainesville, FL. Call Puddles Restoration at (352) 722-3790 today for fast and professional service.
What Happened A contractor in Gainesville, FL stopped his team from “removing” the “mold problem” by, as they suggested, "spraying it with bleach." The contractor insisted that the mold remediation be done correctly and called PUDDLES . Upon completion of the work, PUDDLES insisted that the client retain an independent company to conduct a post remediation verification test to confirm that the mold remediation was done correctly. We were "lucky" to pass a PRV with a gaping hole in the floor.
What Happened The gaps between the ceiling drywall and the light fixtures allowed dirty air from the attic to mix with the air conditioner air, resulting in mold growth in the ceiling. CAN’T YOU JUST WIPE IT [MOLD] OFF! PUDDLES: No We get that a lot for mold removal, except it is usually said as a statement rather than a question. CALLER: Why not? PUDDLES: For many reasons: (1) the lab results confirmed it is mold, (2) it is on drywall, (3) the affected material is a popcorn ceiling, (3) …, (4) …, but more importantly, we don’t do that -- “wipe off drywall.” CALLER: But I was told you can. PUDDLES: You can, but we don’t; and we understand if you wish to call another company who would do that. No hard feelings. CALLER: Two days later: Caller agrees to us removing the affected material starting at 6:30 AM the next business day. Typically, the mold you cannot see is worse than the mold you can see. The same thing applied here.
Not calling PUDDLES will cost you more $$$$. Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. In this case, both the homeowner and their public adjuster chose a different (cheaper) company. That company never showed, never called, never emailed, never text; they did nothing. What Happened Hurricane Helene happened in Gainesville, FL.
Tarping your roof immediately after it is damaged will minimize secondary damages, which ultimately saves you (the property owner) and your insurance company a significant amount of money. What Happened Severe winds in Gainesville, FL bent numerous shingles allowing water penetration when it rains.
