Orange Restoration: Water, Fire & Mold Damage Repair

Some water damage is easy to spot because you’ll see black mold and discoloring on your floors, walls, and ceiling. You may also notice a musty smell and peeling paint in your rooms. However, there could also be hidden water damage inside the walls and structure of your home or building. That is why you’ll need to hire a professional water damage restoration company like Orange Restoration to evaluate the condition inside the walls and other discreet areas.

The prices vary based on the size and scope of the job. Our service prices are based on how much time it takes to clean up the water and make the necessary repairs. Don’t worry, though, because your insurance policy may cover most of the costs if it covers water damage. Contact your insurance company to verify whether water damage is covered under your insurance policy.

WaIt takes about 3 to 4 days to extract all the water and dry out the environment and personal possessions. As for the repair work, the average time is 1 to 3 weeks depending on how much was damaged. We may need to repair or replace your flooring materials, carpeting, drywall, cabinetry, etc.

Orange Restoration has acquired all the necessary licenses and certifications to provide professional water damage restoration services to residents and businesses in San Diego.

Extended Credentials:

Orange Restoration is Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified, and fully licensed (lic#892496) and insured. We have an excellent record with the better business bureau and California state license board. In addition to these credentials, we are recently became Medically Sound Remediators with a CIRSx Certifications for our technicians to be able to offer Medically Sound Remediation Services in addition to our traditional remediation scope of work.

There are multiple stages to the water damage repair and restoration process. First, the technician will clean up and remove any water remaining on the flooring and then dry all soaked carpeting and furniture. After that, they will set up one or more dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the air and prevent mold growth. All the water and moisture must be removed before repairs are made to damaged drywall, wood flooring, ceilings, etc. A professional water damage restoration company has the best tools and equipment to do a thorough restoration. In addition, Orange Restoration can use thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to assess hidden areas for water and moisture-related damage.

Contrary to popular belief, we do not recommend you call your insurance company first. Insurance companies want their policyholders to do everything possible to fix the water damage on their property before it worsens. For this reason, you should contact a professional water damage restoration company like Orange Restoration to repair your water damage.

The primary reasons for water damage are burst water pipes, leaky water pipes, heavy rain storms, clogged drains, faulty appliances, clogged gutters, and roof leaks. Failure to fix these problems could result in a flood of your home or building.

ORANGE RESTORATION IS THE #1 SMOKE AND FIRE DAMAGE REPAIR SAN DIEGO

It is essential to undertake each step of the property restoration process with intense keenness and ensure it is done correctly since failure of the procedure or overlooking a simple thing can give rise to additional problems. The fire restoration process is a dangerous endeavor that should not be done by homeowners. It should, however, be handled by someone qualified with enough training in dealing with scenarios such as these. If you need your home restoration to be handled by qualified staff with enough experience in salvaging valuables, then Orange Restoration in San Diego, CA is the perfect place to go. Our company is certified by Clean Trust and is always ready and willing to handle all your fire, smoke, water, and mold restoration requirements. All you need to do is make a phone call to (619) 376-6838 and wait for our technician, and within an hour the technician will be on your doorstep ready to lend assistance.

Yes! We can do that! Once you have contacted us or any fire restoration company, their first step will be to assess the extent of the fire damage. We will evaluate how far the fire, smoke, soot, and water have spread throughout your property. This assessment will reveal the impact on your ceilings, walls, and furniture.

The assessment process is crucial for us to fully understand the damage and quickly develop a plan of action. Our team will work hard to provide you with an accurate cost estimate and a timeline for the restoration work.

We have a blog article on Urgent Fire Damage Repairs and Medical Concerns written because of our recent training in Medically Sound Remediation. With this recent upgrade in our training, we simply have more value to add. For example, with our fire damage restoration services, we have all the experts needed for full restoration. This includes a master plumber, team of electricians, mold remediation, and an expert reconstruction team. We have these experts on our team because when we do medically sound remediation, we need to be absolutely sure no third part comes in and does something to negatively impact a project’s containment.

After any water damage inside a home or business, it’s essential to assess the extent of water damage and the potential for mold growth. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Duration of Moisture Exposure: Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after water damage has begun to go unrecognized. If your home or business has had wet, damp, or leaking water for an extended period, there’s a high likelihood of mold growth.
2. Extent of Water Damage: If the water damaged areas were rapidly removed, and affected only a small area, you may be able to clean and dry the area yourself. However, if the water was contaminated or if the water damage was extensive, it’s best to seek professional water damage remediation services and have them evaluate for mold risks, testing when necessary.
3. Hidden Mold: Mold often grows in hidden areas, such as behind walls, under flooring, and in air ducts. A professional mold inspection can identify hidden mold and ensure thorough remediation. If you have had extended water damage, you should consider getting a mold testing and air testing.
4. Preventive Measures: Even if you don’t see visible mold growth, it’s advisable to have your home inspected for mold after water damage to prevent future problems. Mold growth can be quite devastating for home values and for your health. 

While not all water damage scenarios require professional mold remediation, it’s essential to assess the situation carefully and consider the factors mentioned above to determine the best course of action for your home and your family’s health. Taking fast action is best as mold will rapidly begin to spread when moisture is present in your home.

The duration of the Shoemaker Protocol varies depending on the individual’s health condition, severity of exposure, and response to treatment. It can take several months to years for full recovery.

Our Medically Sound and Small Particle cleaning service is only part of the healing process. Please look into finding an IEP or a medical doctor to discuss this this protocol in more depth.

Yes, the Shoemaker Protocol has been proven effective for individuals suffering from mold-related illnesses by addressing inflammation and removing biotoxins from the body. Science is increasingly validating Dr. Shoemaker’s work as larger medical institutions recognize its success in treating thousands of patients with Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). These patients, each with unique experiences related to mold and VOC exposure in their homes, have found relief through his approach. While conventional Western medicine often falls short in addressing CIRS, Dr. Shoemaker’s integrative method, combining naturopathic principles, medical training, and specialized protocols—has helped many on their path to recovery.

The Shoemaker Protocol treatment involves a structured medical approach that includes diagnostic testing, biotoxin removal, and steps to reduce inflammation, all aimed at restoring the patient’s health.

A mold remediation protocol is a structured plan used to safely remove mold from a building. Traditional mold remediation often involves antimicrobial treatments, encapsulation, or disinfection, whereas medically sound remediation focuses on complete mold removal without the use of antimicrobial agents, ensuring a safer environment for sensitive individuals.

Look into our Medically Sound Remediation & Small Particle Cleaning services if you have sensitivities to mold or have particular health concerns.

Medically sound remediation does not involve disinfecting, killing, or encapsulating mold but instead focuses on completely removing it from building materials. It adheres to higher standards to prevent re-exposure and ensure a safe environment for recovery.

What are the key elements of Medically Sound Remediation Services?

• No use of antimicrobials
• No encapsulation
• No sealing of cavities
• White glove test for thorough cleanliness
• All discoloration must be remediated
• Mandatory decontamination chambers
• Continuous negative air pressure
• Strict PPE protection
• Full 6-mil containment barriers to prevent cross-contamination

The key differences between Medically Sound Remediation and Traditional Remediation lie in the level of detail, the protocols followed, and the ultimate goal of the remediation process. Here’s a breakdown of the main distinctions:

1. Focus on Health vs. Structure

• Medically Sound Remediation prioritizes occupant health, especially for those with conditions like CIRS, mold sensitivity, or other environmental illnesses.
• Traditional Remediation primarily focuses on structural integrity and preventing further damage.

2. Cleaning Standards

• Medically Sound Remediation goes beyond visible mold removal, addressing ultrafine particles, biotoxins, and airborne contaminants to create an environment safe for hypersensitive individuals.
• Traditional Remediation typically follows industry-standard guidelines (like the IICRC S520) to remove visible mold and prevent regrowth but may not eliminate the small particles that continue affecting health.

3. Testing and Verification

• Medically Sound Remediation often includes detailed post-remediation verification (PRV) testing, such as:

  • ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) testing
  • HERTSMI-2 (Health Effects Roster of Type-Specific Formers of Mycotoxins and Inflammagens-2)
  • ATP testing for biological contaminants
  • Airborne and settled dust analysis for small particles

• Traditional Remediation may only include standard air or surface sampling post-remediation, primarily checking for visible mold presence rather than microscopic contaminants.

4. Use of Biocides and Cleaning Agents

• Medically Sound Remediation avoids harsh chemicals, using medical-grade HEPA filtration, mechanical cleaning, and safer products to remove contaminants without introducing additional toxins.
• Traditional Remediation often relies on chemical biocides or fungicides, which may kill mold but can leave behind harmful residues.

5. Cross-Contamination Prevention

• Medically Sound Remediation follows strict containment, negative air pressure, and decontamination protocols to prevent cross-contamination of fine particles throughout the home.
• Traditional Remediation typically uses containment but may not account for the smallest particulate spread.

PRV (Post-Remediation Verification) testing is not exclusive to medically sound remediation, but the type of PRV testing differs.

• Traditional Remediation PRV: Oftenn includes visual inspections and standard air or surface mold testing.
• Medically Sound PRV: Incorporates more advanced testing like ERMI, HERTSMI-2, & particle counts to ensure the environment is truly safe for sensitive individuals.

Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEPs) assess indoor air quality, provide general guidance, and develop remediation scopes based on forensic testing, including indoor air and surface sampling.

 An IEP is a specialist who assesses properties for mold and indoor air quality concerns, conducting forensic testing to identify hidden contamination and guide remediation efforts. A qualified IEP must have extensive knowledge of building materials, construction defects, fungal ecology, and environmental science to properly assess contamination risks.

Small particle cleaning is a critical step in mold illness recovery. It involves HEPA vacuuming and a wet-wipe/dry-wipe sequence to remove fine particulates from all surfaces.

Hard-surface items can typically be cleaned with proper HEPA vacuuming and wiping. However, porous materials are more challenging to clean, and in some cases, replacing them may be more cost-effective.

Fine particle cleaning refers to the process of removing ultrafine mold and dust particles, typically ranging from 2-20 microns, from surfaces to prevent contamination. We offer Small Particle Cleaning services to help with removal of these ultrafine particles.

The best method for removing fine dust particles is a combination of HEPA vacuuming, thorough surface wiping, and maintaining proper air filtration. if you need help, we offer Small Particle Cleaning services.

The most reliable way to determine if your house is toxic is by hiring a certified and experienced IEP. Standard home inspections or environmental assessments often miss hidden contamination due to testing limitations. An IEP will work as an advocate for your health, they will do many lab tests and physical inspections to find the source of the problems.

Home Testing for mold or any DIY testing for mold is not recommended.

Mold sickness can manifest in various ways, including changes in the health of a home’s occupants, family members, pets, or even plants. A persistent musty odor in the home may also indicate mold issues. If you suspect mold, call an Indoor Air Quality Testing professional or an Indoor Environmental Professional, if you need help with this, call us!

Symptoms of mold sickness in individuals can include chronic fatigue, respiratory issues, brain fog, skin rashes, headaches, and sinus congestion.

Mold sickness treatment typically involves removing exposure sources, detoxifying the body, and following medical protocols such as the Shoemaker Protocol. Look at a recent blog post about Mold Sickness Treatment we recently published.

CIRS-safe remediation follows the same principles as medically sound remediation, ensuring that no antimicrobials, sealants, or chemical treatments are used while focusing on complete removal of mold contaminants.

While hiring a third-party vendor for fine particle cleaning is common, homeowners have also successfully completed this process themselves using HEPA vacuuming and surface wiping techniques. We offer Small Particle Cleaning services to get you started and can work with your belongings to help restore all back to normal.

If financially feasible, it is recommended to stay out of the exposure area until an IEP has re-inspected the home and confirmed that remediation was successful. The testing provided by an IEP will help you to determine all contamination has been removed.

Mold requires moisture to grow, so maintaining a dry and clean environment is crucial for preventing regrowth after remediation. Mold can grow anywhere there is neglected areas with moisture, dampness, or warmth. Mold should not re-occur after remediation if it has been done correctly with Medically Sound Remediation and Small Particle Cleaning, there should be a removal of absolutely all mold. So, chances of regrowth after medically Sound are significantly reduced, while traditional remediation risks the reoccurrence because some mold is left behind.

Traditional mold remediation professionals use commonly accepted methods, while medically sound environmental professionals adhere to significantly higher standards to ensure safety for sensitive individuals.

Medically Sound Mold Remediation standards:

• No use of antimicrobials
• No encapsulation
• No sealing of cavities
• White glove test for thorough cleanliness
• All discoloration must be remediated
• Mandatory decontamination chambers
• Continuous negative air pressure
• Strict PPE protection
• Full 6-mil containment barriers to prevent cross-contamination

One of the most significant environmental concerns in buildings is moisture intrusion, which can lead to mold growth.

While this may not always compromise structural integrity, it can severely impact indoor air quality and pose serious health risks, particularly for hypersensitive individuals.

The EPA has reported extensively on mold sensitivities and the health impacts of water-damaged buildings, yet standard remediation practices often fall short in addressing the needs of those with severe sensitivities.