FAQ

Yes. We work directly with all insurance companies to manage claims, and take the headache out of the restoration process. It is worth stating: our first priority in this process is the customer, even when working through insurance claims.

Yes. SOS Restoration boasts impressive storage capabilities during the restoration process. We pick-up, and transport your goods to the storage location, and return them upon completion. No need to rent storage units, or a moving truck. We handle it.

SOS Restoration presently serves the following counties: Los Angeles; Ventura; Orange; Riverside. We are a company of consistent growth, so feel free to give us a call from any area.

Water damage occurs for a variety of reasons. Excess water in your home may be the result of natural disasters, such as storms or floods, or problems in the plumbing system: burst pipes; growing leaks.

Contact SOS Restoration. Time is of the essence in such scenarios as mold begins to form after 24 hours, and we are available 24/7 to address all water problems. The longer water sits, the more opportunity it has to wreak havoc on wood, walls and carpet.

Proper maintenance and care for your water appliances, including hot water heaters, will help prevent many water damage issues. If you have a septic tank, regular inspections will allow for peace of mind. In older homes, plumbing fixtures should be inspected on occasion to address any potential problem areas.

Your crawlspace is the area below your home that technicians and skilled trade professionals access to address plumbing and electrical needs. If this area has standing water, or becomes flooded, please call us 24/7. These issues are best left to trained professionals.

Excess water in your home has the potential to create a variety of problems. Property can be severely damaged, decreasing property value. In some instances, the structure of the home may become compromised. Water damage remediation services can cost thousands of dollars, therefore the issues should be addressed immediately.

Mold and mildew can cause many problems. The first, and greatest concern, are respiratory and psychological health issues. It can also destroy furniture, drywall and wood, greatly decreasing property value. Additionally, it serves as catalyst to unwanted bacteria, mites, rodents, roaches and other pests.

After ensuring everyone is safe, and the fire department has completed their work: Call us! We have professionals standing by 24/7 to meet your needs. We will board and tarp any exterior structures that have been damaged in the fire to secure your home or business, then engage your insurance company to begin the restoration process.

Yes. We restore anything having to do with fire, smoke and water damage. This includes dust, and chemical particles that remain after a fire has been extinguished. If there has been smoke without fire, we can address that smoke damage as well.

Yes. We are available 24/7 to address customer needs. We have service technicians who are on call, and ready to respond day and night.

Within 24-48 hours, before mold and structural damage set in. SOS Restoration responds 24/7 to get ahead of the damage.

Category 1 is clean water, Category 2 is ‘gray water’ with contaminants, and Category 3 is ‘black water’ (sewage or flooding) requiring full protective protocols.

It depends on the water category and how long the material was exposed. Our technicians assess each material to determine what can be dried and restored versus what must be replaced.

Typically 3-5 days with professional-grade air movers and dehumidifiers, monitored daily with moisture meters until materials reach a safe, dry standard.

Yes, if water is near outlets or electrical panels. Our technicians follow safety protocols and coordinate with electricians when needed.

Industrial wet/dry vacuums, truck-mounted extraction units, air movers, and commercial dehumidifiers to remove water and dry the structure quickly.

Yes, prolonged water exposure can weaken foundations and framing. Early intervention prevents these deeper structural issues.

Restoration returns the property to its pre-loss condition, while remediation focuses on removing the contamination or hazard, such as mold, first.

Yes, including extraction, drying, dehumidification, and mold prevention treatments for flooded basements.

Signs include a musty odor, discoloration, peeling paint, or warping. We use moisture meters and thermal imaging to detect hidden moisture.

As soon as the fire department clears the property, usually within 24 hours. We also offer emergency board-up and tarping immediately.

Yes, using ozone treatments, thermal fogging, and air scrubbers combined with cleaning of affected surfaces and fabrics.

Non-porous and semi-porous items like metal, some furniture, and electronics are often restorable. Heavily charred or porous items usually need replacement.

Yes, soot contains chemical particles that can affect respiratory health, so professional cleanup is recommended over DIY methods.

Yes, we serve both residential and commercial properties across our service area.

Puff-back is soot released from a malfunctioning furnace or boiler that coats a home in oily residue. Yes, we clean and deodorize affected areas.

Most policies cover fire damage. We work directly with your insurer to document the loss and process the claim.

We use board-up, tarping, and containment barriers to prevent further damage from weather or debris.

Nearby fires, malfunctioning appliances, or grease fires can cause smoke damage even without direct flame contact to your property.

Yes, including boarding broken windows, tarping damaged roofs, and securing the property until permanent repairs begin.

Common signs include a musty odor, visible discoloration, allergy symptoms that improve when you leave the house, and a recent history of water damage.

All mold can cause health issues, but some black mold species produce mycotoxins that pose a greater respiratory risk. Testing determines the exact type.

Yes, we assess affected areas and can coordinate testing to confirm the mold type and extent of contamination.

Typically 1-5 days depending on the size of the affected area and the severity of the contamination.

Not if the moisture source is fully addressed. We identify and help resolve the underlying cause to prevent recurrence.

It depends on the extent of contamination. For larger jobs we may recommend temporary relocation and use containment barriers to protect occupied areas.

Yes, mold in ductwork and HVAC components requires specialized cleaning to prevent it from recirculating through the home.

Cleaning addresses surface mold, while remediation includes containment, removal of affected materials, air filtration, and correcting the moisture source.

Coverage varies by policy and cause. Mold resulting from a covered water damage event is often included, which we help verify with your insurer.

Yes, hidden mold behind walls or under flooring can still affect indoor air quality and trigger allergy or respiratory symptoms.

Contact your insurer to open a claim, then call SOS Restoration. We document the damage and coordinate directly with your adjuster.

Yes, we communicate directly with your insurance company throughout the claims process so you don’t have to.

Photos and video of the damage, a scope of work, itemized estimates, and moisture or mold readings, all of which we provide.

This depends on your policy. We work with most insurers on direct billing arrangements where possible.

We provide detailed documentation to support your claim and can assist with the appeals process.

Yes, we provide free inspections and estimates that can be submitted directly to your insurance company.

It varies by insurer, but thorough documentation from day one, which we provide, significantly speeds up approval.

Yes, you have the right to choose your restoration provider. SOS Restoration works with all insurance companies.

Yes, our technicians are trained and follow IICRC-standard restoration practices.

Yes, we are a licensed and bonded restoration company.

Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, and Riverside Counties, with continued expansion into surrounding areas.

Yes, we’re available 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

We prioritize emergency response and aim to dispatch technicians as quickly as possible, often within hours.

Yes, we offer free property inspections to assess damage and provide an estimate.

Ensure everyone’s safety first, then call SOS Restoration. Avoid entering severely damaged areas until they’ve been assessed.

Yes, we serve homeowners, property managers, and commercial businesses.

Yes, we offer pack-out and storage services, then return belongings upon project completion.

Water damage restoration, fire and smoke damage restoration, mold removal, and hazardous waste removal.

Yes, we stand behind our workmanship. Ask our team for details specific to your project.

Call 888-817-1650 or fill out our online form, and we’ll schedule an inspection at your convenience.

We accept standard payment methods and coordinate direct billing with most insurance providers where applicable.

Yes, our technicians are equipped to safely handle and remove hazardous waste as part of restoration projects.

Our focus on the customer first, direct insurance coordination, 24/7 availability, and full-service restoration from the initial call to project completion.