FAQ – Emergency Restoration
AfterCare Restoration — Frequently Asked Questions
💧 Water Damage FAQs
- What should I do first when I discover water damage? Whether you live in Allentown PA, Chalfton PA, or West Chester PA the first step is to Shut off the water source if possible. Next avoid electrical hazards and call our certified restoration team at AfterCare Restoration 24/7. FAST action prevents mold growth and structural damage.
- How long does water damage drying take? Most homes dry in 3–5 days, depending on the severity, materials affected, and humidity levels. Industrial dehumidifiers and air movers speed up the process. Flood zone areas such as Skippack PA, Collegeville PA and Wayne PA will need at least 3 or 4 days to properly dry out the home or commercial building.
- Will my insurance cover water damage? Insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage (burst pipes, appliance failures). Our IICRC Certified Team at AfterCare Restoration will properly document and work with your insurance carrier through the entire insurance process. This will help elevate stress and save you time throughout the process. Is your water damage from a flood? If so flooding from storms requires separate flood insurance.
- Can I clean up water damage myself? Small spills are manageable, but anything involving soaked drywall, flooring, or structural materials requires professional extraction and drying to prevent mold. In fact we have an entire article that you can read about the risks of DIY water damage cleanup. DIY Water Damage Cleanup Risks
Learn More: Water Damage Restoration
🚱 Sewage Cleanup FAQs
- Is sewage water dangerous? Yes — sewage is Category 3 contaminated water containing bacteria, viruses, and harmful pathogens. It requires certified cleanup and full sanitization by IICRC standards. Whether you’re in Allentown PA, Bethlehem PA or Ambler PA proper sewage cleanup is essential to the health of your family and property.
- What causes sewage backups? Common causes include clogged drains, tree‑root intrusion, collapsed sewer lines, and heavy rain overwhelming municipal systems. Cities with older sewage systems are more prone to sewage damage such as Allentown PA, Ambler PA, Lansdale PA or parts of Delaware and Chester Counties.
- Can I stay in my home during sewage cleanup? It depends on the affected area. If contamination is limited, you may stay in unaffected rooms. Severe contamination may require temporary relocation. Sewage damage is a serious risks to your home and property call our team immediately 24/7 at AfterCare Restoration.
- Does insurance cover sewage cleanup? Many policies cover sewage backups, but coverage varies. Our team at AfterCare Restoration will help document the loss for your insurance company and adjuster.
Learn More: Sewage Cleanup
🦠 Mold Remediation FAQs
- How do I know if I have mold? Areas with high water tables and more prone to water damage. Signs include musty odors, visible spots on walls or ceilings, recent water damage, or increased allergy symptoms. We typically see mold damage in towns such as Allentown PA, Bethlehem PA, Doylestown PA, Newtown PA and New Hope PA. Lehigh Valley and Bucks counties have older homes, high water tables and musty basements that are more prone to mold damage.
- Is mold dangerous? Mold can trigger respiratory issues, allergies, and worsen asthma. Certain species produce toxins that require urgent removal. What if I just google it? When it comes to mold you need an IICRC Certified Technician to evaluate your home or commercial property for mold. Some of the most inaccurate information we see from customers is around mold remediation that they found “online.”
- Can I remove mold myself? Surface mold can be wiped, but anything larger than 10 sq. ft. or involving porous materials requires professional containment and HEPA filtration. Proper mold remediation is a SCIENCE that requires proper training, equipment and experience. Call our certified team at AfterCare Restoraiton for proper mold remediation.
- How long does mold remediation take? Most mold remediation projects take 1–3 days, depending on contamination levels and the size of the affected area. Let our IICRC Certified technicians provide a FREE mold estimate to properly evaluate your home or commercial business.
Learn More: Mold Remediation
🔥 Fire Damage FAQs
- What should I do immediately after a fire? Ensure everyone is safe, contact your insurance company, and schedule a certified fire damage inspection with our IICRC Certified team at AfterCare Restoration. Avoid touching soot‑covered surfaces, inhaling smoke and chemicals that can be hazardous to your health.
- Is fire damage cleanup safe to do myself? No — soot is acidic and spreads easily. Improper cleaning can worsen damage and embed odors deeper into materials. Your insurance policy will most likely cover fire and soot damage cleanup call our team at AfterCare Restoration for a FREE inspection 24/7.
- How long does fire restoration take? Minor fire damage restoration may take a few days, while structural fires can require weeks depending on repairs and reconstruction. At AfterCare Restoration we are a Full-Service fire damage restoration company. We have the experience, people and training to properly rebuild your home after fire and smoke damage.
- Will smoke odors ever fully go away? Yes — with proper deodorization using ozone, hydroxyl generators, and deep cleaning, odors can be fully eliminated. Without proper smoke and soot cleanup the smell can linger in your home or commercial property for years and severely impact the health to the occupants.
Explore Fire Recovery: Fire Damage Restoration
🌫️ Smoke Damage FAQs
- Why is smoke damage so difficult to remove? Smoke particles are microscopic and embed into walls, insulation, clothing, curtains, fabrics, and HVAC systems. Specialized cleaning and filtration are required to remove smoke damage from a property. This is NOT a DIY weekend project! Call our IICRC Certified team at AfterCare Restoration for a FREE estimate today!
- Can smoke damage affect my health? Yes — lingering smoke residue can irritate lungs, trigger asthma, and cause headaches. If you purchased a home that previously was smoked in it is imperative that you have a proper smoke damage cleanup to ensure the health of you and your family.
- Does smoke damage require professional cleaning? Absolutely. DIY cleaning often smears soot and worsens staining. Professional HEPA filtration and chemical sponges are essential. Smoke and soot cleanup is a science and our certified technicians have the training, equipment, and experience to properly remove smoke and soot from your home.
- Will my belongings be salvageable? Many items can be restored through contents cleaning, deodorization, and specialized electronics cleaning. In fact our 5,000 sq ft. warehouse has a dedicated ozone chamber to remove the smoke smell from furniture and other items that you wish to save after experiencing smoke damage.
Explore Fire Recovery: Smoke Damage Restoration
🔥 Fire Board‑Up FAQs
- Why is board‑up service necessary after a fire? Have you experience a fire to your home or business? A fire Board‑up protects your property from weather, theft, and further damage while restoration begins. After you experience fire damage a proper fire board-up protects your home from additional damage especially in cities such as Allentown PA, Bethlehem PA, Warrington PA and other highly populated cities.
- How quickly can you board up a home? At AfterCare Restoration we provide immediate 24/7 response, for fire board-up often arriving within 60–90 minutes depending on location.
- Does insurance cover board‑up services? Yes — most policies include emergency board‑up as part of fire damage mitigation. Our project manager will work directly with your insurance company and adjuster to ensure you receive the coverage for your fire board-up claim.
- What happens after the board‑up? Our team at AfterCare will secure the structure, assess damage, document with photos and videos and begin smoke/soot cleanup, and coordinate next steps with your adjuster.
Explore Fire Recovery: Fire Board-Up
📞 Call AfterCare Restoration 24/7 – 215.515.1000
Veteran Owned • IICRC Certified • 1‑Hour Response
📍 Proudly Serving Eastern Pennsylvania
- Our local team serves homes and businesses across:
- Bucks County
- Chester County
- Delaware County
- Lehigh County
- Montgomery County
- Northampton County
We really understand Pennsylvania homes — the materials, the way they’re built, and how the insurance process works when something goes wrong. And because we’re part of the community, we can get to you fast when you need help the most.
Whether you’re in Allentown or Bethlehem, down in Lower Bucks County around Warrington, or in Chester County near Media, Exton, or West Chester, our team is close by and ready to respond 24/7. When an emergency hits, you won’t be waiting long for us to arrive.
24/7 Damage Restoration Company
AfterCare Restoration provides emergency restoration service to the following communities and surrounding areas:
This Is Who We Are
Local. Trusted. Veteran Owned. Proven Water & Fire Damage Restoration. This tagline captures the heart of AfterCare Restoration:
- Local — We’re your neighbors, not a national chain.
- Trusted — Our reputation is built on honesty and results.
- Veteran Owned — Integrity and discipline guide every project.
- Proven — Our certified processes deliver reliable outcomes.
When disaster strikes, you deserve a restoration company that stands for more than profits. You deserve a team committed to service, community, and excellence.
Discover Our History: Meet Our Founder
🎖 IICRC Certified Firm
Restoration is a science — and we follow it. As an IICRC Certified Firm, our technicians are trained in industry‑leading standards for water, fire, smoke, mold, and sewage cleanup. You get proven processes, advanced equipment, and a team that understands how to protect your property and your health.
🏡 Local Matters — Especially in Restoration
Being local isn’t just a geographic detail. It’s a strategic advantage. AfterCare Restoration serves Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester counties with deep knowledge of Pennsylvania homes, building materials, weather patterns, and regional insurance processes.
Local ownership means:
- Faster response times
- No corporate red tape
- Personalized service
- Technicians who live in the same communities they serve
- A genuine commitment to helping neighbors, not meeting corporate quotas
When water or fire damage occurs, minutes matter. Our local team can mobilize quickly, assess the damage accurately, and begin mitigation before problems worsen.
Learn Why Local Matters: Benefits Of A Local Restoration Company
💬 Customer Testimonials
Real clients. Real results.
- “Called these guys after my basement flooded and they were out right away and got right to work. They were professional and super easy to work with. I had had concerns about trying to save certain things in my basement and they worked with me to do that. Their communication was excellent and followed up on phone calls when adjustments were necessary. I highly consider Aftercare versus a national brand.” -Sean K, Quakertown PA
- “AfterCare was quick to respond when our basement flooded after days of heavy storms and a broken sump pump. We called first thing in the morning and JT was there by 11:30. He was amazing! He was courteous and efficiently worked for 8 hours straight on his own removing water and soaked carpet pieces. He answered all of our questions and kept meticulous notes for a report we got documenting all of the equipment used, damages, etc. Dealing with a flooded basement is stressful enough and this company was so helpful and reduced a lot of our stress!” -J Welch, Doylestown PA
- “I called Aftercare after a fire made my house uninhabitable. I don’t think I could have made a better choice. All of the guys I worked with were super helpful and went above and beyond what I needed. They worked with me every step of the way. From dealing with the insurance company to making sure the construction was completed as good as new. They were very easy to stay in touch with and I had no issue communicating any of my concerns with them.
I seriously can’t thank everyone at Aftercare enough for making it as easy as possible to deal with the situation.” -L Noecker, Quakertown PA