Question 1

Are radon testing devices hard to find and not reliable?

Accepted Answer

Qualified radon companies and testers provide reliable radon testing services. Active radon devices continuously collect and record radon levels at regular intervals to detect any unusual changes during the testing period. You can also purchase dependable testing devices directly from RCS. Contact our office to order a charcoal test kit that you can complete at your convenience.

Question 2

Are scientists really sure radon is a problem?

Accepted Answer

While some scientists debate the precise number of radon-related deaths, all major health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association concur that radon causes thousands of preventable deaths annually. The risk is significantly higher for smokers compared to non-smokers.

Question 3

Can I turn off the equipment at night?

Accepted Answer

No, the equipment must remain operational continuously. Shutting off the equipment could increase the risk of mold growth.

Question 4

Do I have mold?

Accepted Answer

This is a common concern, and Restoration Contracting Services has invested considerable time and resources in education and equipment to become qualified in water damage restoration. When the drying process begins promptly, mold typically isn't a concern. The reality is that every home built with wood framing contains mold, as it's present in new lumber from the lumber yard. Mold exists in homes regardless of water damage. The important question is whether the mold levels are within acceptable limits.

Question 5

Do I need an estimate before you start the dry-out?

Accepted Answer

The full cost of the dry-out is often uncertain initially, but our pricing follows standardized industry rates. We utilize a computer-estimating program that updates the price list quarterly. Your insurance company uses this same program and price list. Once an adjuster is assigned to your claim, we'll explain the work completed to that point and obtain authorization before proceeding further. We'll establish an agreed-upon estimate with your insurance company before any repairs begin.

Question 6

Do I need to do anything?

Accepted Answer

We've developed our business to minimize your responsibilities as much as possible. We may need you to select certain items such as floor covering, but for the most part, you can continue with your daily activities with minimal concern or involvement.

Question 7

Does radon only affect certain types of homes?

Accepted Answer

Radon can affect any type of home, whether new or old, insulated or drafty, with or without basements. Factors that influence radon levels in homes include local geology, construction materials, and building methods.

Question 8

How do you know if everything is dry?

Accepted Answer

We use specialized moisture meters designed to verify proper moisture content. This is why you hired a professional restoration company rather than just a construction company. Our training and certification in water damage restoration ensures you receive the highest quality service.

Question 9

How long will the dry-out take?

Accepted Answer

The typical water loss requires 2 to 5 days to dry out. When materials have been exposed to water for an extended period, the process may take 4 to 7 days.

Question 10

How much is my electric bill going to be with all of this equipment?

Accepted Answer

We've carefully selected equipment that maximizes drying speed while minimizing power consumption to achieve optimal results. The approximate daily cost for each piece of equipment is as follows:

Air movers - $0.25 per day
Large air movers - $0.75 per day
Small dehumidifier - $1.25 per day
Large dehumidifier - $1.75 per day

Question 11

If it can't be dried, what will be replaced?

Accepted Answer

Our job is to bring you back to a pre-loss condition. After the dry-out process has been completed, we will be able to determine what has permanent damage. At that time, we will submit an estimate of repairs to your insurance adjuster for approval.

Question 12

Is it hard to sell a home where radon problems have been detected?

Accepted Answer

If you fix the radon problem, the sale of your home will not be blocked and the added protection will be a good selling point.

Question 13

Is it OK to keep this equipment running or do I need to do something with it?

Accepted Answer

The equipment we use is capable of running for months without being shut off. They will not overheat and should be fine. If you hear or smell anything which seems not to be normal, please unplug the equipment and call us immediately. Our technicians will be monitoring and checking all equipment and the moisture levels throughout the dry-out process on a regular basis.

Question 14

Is radon only a problem in certain parts of the country?

Accepted Answer

High radon levels have been found all over the country, in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to really know a home's radon level is to test. 40% of PA homes have radon levels above the action level of 4 Picocuries per liter, per EPA guidelines.

Question 15

Is radon testing time-consuming and difficult?

Accepted Answer

Radon testing is fairly easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon testing company. Either approach takes a relatively small amount of effort, time and cost.

Question 16

Is the final choice on the finished product my decision or the adjusters'?

Accepted Answer

The choice of the repairs is always yours. Your insurance company only owes like, kind and quality. If you choose to do something else, you may have to pay more out of your pocket.

Question 17

Is your neighbor's radon testing result a good indicator of whether your home has a radon problem?

Accepted Answer

It's not. Levels of radon vary from home to home. The only way to know for sure if your home has a radon problem is to test.

Question 18

Must I stay in my home during the dry-out process?

Accepted Answer

Often, you can stay in your home depending on the areas that are affected. You may lose the use of your bathroom, kitchen, etc. If you need to stay outside of your house, you may want to ask your adjuster about additional living expense of A L E coverage.

Question 19

Should we make arrangements for you to get into our house?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is very important that we have access to monitor the job. If you are not going to be available, then we need to work out a plan to gain access.

Question 20

The equipment you have running is making the air feel muggy. Can I open a window or door to let in fresh air?

Accepted Answer

Our equipment is increasing the rate of evaporation, causing the air to feel wetter. Part of our monitoring process includes checking both the conditions indoors and out. If our technicians instruct you to open some windows, that may mean that the conditions outside will help in the drying process. Otherwise, with the use of our high-tech dehumidifiers, you will notice much drier conditions in 24 to 48 hours.

Question 21

What if we want to do the repairs?

Accepted Answer

The most critical part of water damage is the drying process. After the dry-out has been completed by our trained and certified technicians, you may want to do the repairs yourself or hire a general contractor to do the repairs, and that would be fine. We can bill your insurance company for the emergency repairs separately.

Question 22

What is Benefect, and why do you apply this product?

Accepted Answer

Benefect is plant-based and designed to inhibit, destroy or prevent the development of microorganisms. Many times, we will use this product as a precautionary step. Your health is our main concern.

Question 23

What is going to happen with my damaged furniture and/or contents?

Accepted Answer

We will do our best to restore your contents to a pre-loss condition. If we are not able to restore any items, we will set them aside to be itemized and turned in to your insurance adjuster. Your adjuster will determine coverage according to your policy.

Question 24

What is restorative drying?

Accepted Answer

A few years ago, the standard procedure was to remove any wet materials and replace them with new ones. Today, with much better equipment and training, our goal is to dry out your structure, saving as much of the structure as possible.

Question 25

Why do you have to monitor the job so often?

Accepted Answer

For us to achieve the best results, we need to closely monitor the dry-out process. This may include moving, adding or removing equipment and checking humidity and temperature readings.

Question 26

Why does my house smell so bad?

Accepted Answer

Often, the humidity in your house has maybe doubled or tripled from what is normal, and materials that are normally not designed to get wet are wet. If it has been 3 to 4 days since the initial water loss and you start smelling a souring smell, you may be getting bacteria forming. After we have dried out everything, the smell should be gone.

Question 27

Why does the adjuster wait so long to inspect my loss?

Accepted Answer

Often, the adjuster will wait until the dry-out process is complete in order to evaluate damages. Other times, because of our relationship with the adjuster, they may rely on our photos and scope of repairs without doing an inspection of their own.

Question 28

Why is it so dry in my house?

Accepted Answer

It is our goal to get the air in your house as dry as possible; by doing this, it speeds up the drying process. However, it may feel drier than you may be used to. You may also need to water any plants more often.

Question 29

Why must we go through all this paperwork prior to extraction?

Accepted Answer

We try to stay as organized as possible to help ensure the quality and customer service you deserve. Paperwork is a very important part of the foundation to help us achieve this.

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