About the line, then about water damage
Questions and answers
Questions about a specific kind of damage are on its service page. These cover the line itself and the rules that come up on every job.
The referral line
Is this a restoration company?
No. It is a phone referral line. The number connects you with an independent restoration contractor, and any work is agreed between you and that contractor.
Who do I speak to when I call?
An independent contractor taking calls for your ZIP code. You may hear a short recorded message first, and the call may be recorded.
Does calling commit me to anything?
No. Nothing is booked on the call unless you choose to. Maryland requires a written, signed contract for home improvement work.
Does the site charge me?
The site does not bill callers. Whatever the contractor charges is set by the contractor. The referral disclosure explains how the site itself is paid.
Is this for Bowie, Texas?
No. It is for Bowie, Maryland, Crofton, Upper Marlboro and Glenn Dale.
Water damage in Maryland
How fast does mold start?
EPA says that if wet materials are dried within 24 to 48 hours of a leak or spill, mold will in most cases not grow. See the EPA guide.
Does homeowners insurance cover a basement flood?
A standard policy does not pay for flood. Seepage through floors and walls is also excluded, and sewer or sump overflow needs an endorsement. The insurance guide explains each case.
Does a Maryland restoration contractor need a license?
A contractor who repairs or replaces parts of a home needs a Home Improvement Commission license. Whether extraction and drying alone fall under it is a question for the Commission, so ask the contractor which license it holds.
Is there a state mold license?
Not now. The Commission's FAQ says the mold subtitle was terminated on July 1, 2019.
Whose job is the sewer line?
The utility maintains its main and the lateral up to the property line. The homeowner is responsible on the private side. See the utilities guide.
Can I connect my sump pump to the sewer?
Ask WSSC Water before connecting a sump pump to any sewer line. Its plumbing code, linked on the sump pump page, governs sewer connections.
By service
- Water damage restorationFloors, walls or belongings are wet and the source is stopped.
- Water extraction and dryingStanding water, soaked carpet, or walls that still feel cool and damp.
- Burst or frozen pipesA line has split, or a tap goes dry on a hard-freeze morning.
- Flooded basementWater came up through a drain or floor, or in from the yard.
- Sewage backupToilets, tubs or a floor drain are pushing up dirty water.
- Storm and roof leak damageRain is coming in through the roof, a window or a wall.
Water still running or standing?
Call and say where the water is and what caused it. You will be connected with an independent restoration contractor taking calls for your ZIP code.