Water Damage Restoration

Yes — but only when used correctly with the right equipment and setup. Professional dehumidifiers used in restoration are far more powerful than rental or household units. When combined with air movers positioned strategically and sometimes with wall cavity drying systems, professional drying equipment can effectively remove moisture from inside wall cavities, subfloors, and other structural components. Our IICRC certified technicians take daily moisture readings to track drying progress and adjust equipment placement as needed — ensuring structures are completely dry before equipment is removed. We do not just drop equipment and disappear. We monitor until the job is done. 

In the vast majority of water damage situations — roughly 95% of the time — homeowners can stay in their home during the restoration process. Water damage restoration is typically contained to affected areas and does not prevent the rest of the home from being livable. 

Whether displacement is necessary depends on the extent of the damage rather than the category of water. If the damage requires gutting a kitchen, removing flooring throughout the entire home, or taking out cabinets and appliances, daily life can become difficult and temporary relocation may make more sense. At Restoration 1 of Horry County we try to maintain as much normalcy as possible — in some situations we can set up a temporary countertop and sink so a kitchen remains partially functional while work is being completed. 

When displacement is necessary your insurance policy may include Additional Living Expense coverage — also called ALE — which pays for temporary housing, meals, and other costs while your home is being restored. Fire damage is a different story — it almost always results in displacement and ALE coverage becoming necessary given the scope of work typically involved. Our team documents everything needed to support an ALE claim and works directly with your carrier to get you into temporary housing as quickly as possible. 

Hidden moisture is detected using a combination of professional tools including moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and penetrating probes. Moisture meters measure moisture content in building materials like drywall, wood, and concrete. Thermal imaging cameras detect temperature differences that indicate moisture behind walls and under floors without requiring destructive investigation. Penetrating probes allow us to check inside wall cavities and subfloor systems. This combination of tools allows our IICRC certified technicians to map the full extent of moisture damage — including areas that look dry but are not — so nothing is missed and nothing is left wet inside your walls. 

Professional water damage drying involves multiple steps performed in sequence. First we extract all standing water using truck mounted or portable extraction equipment. Then non-salvageable materials like wet carpet, padding, and saturated drywall are removed to allow structural components to dry. Once all non-salvageable material has been removed we thoroughly clean the affected area to prevent any cross contamination and/or secondary damage. Air movers are positioned to create airflow across wet surfaces and dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air to accelerate structural drying. Air Filtration Devices — also called AFDs — or air scrubbers are used throughout the process to capture and remove any contaminants that may be released into the air during demolition and drying, keeping the environment safe for occupants and workers. Moisture readings are taken daily to track drying progress and equipment is adjusted as needed. Antimicrobial treatments are applied to prevent mold growth during the drying process. Full documentation including daily moisture logs, psychrometric readings, and photos are maintained throughout for your insurance claim. 

While South Carolina winters are mild, freezing temperatures do occur — and when they do, pipes in uninsulated areas like crawlspaces, exterior walls, attics and garages are vulnerable. To prevent frozen pipes: insulate exposed pipes in crawlspaces and unheated areas, keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees even when away, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls during cold snaps, and let faucets drip slightly during freezing temperatures. If you have a vacation home or rental property on the Grand Strand, make sure someone checks the property during cold weather events. Burst pipes from freezing are one of the most common water damage calls we receive in Horry County during winter months. 

If your water heater bursts, shut off the water supply to the unit immediately — there is typically a dedicated shut-off valve on the cold water inlet line at the top of the tank. If you cannot reach it safely, shut off the main water supply to the home. Turn off the power or gas to the unit. Then call Restoration 1 immediately — a burst water heater can release 40 to 80 gallons of water and cause significant damage to floors, walls, and cabinets in a short amount of time. Do not wait to see if it dries on its own. Restoration 1 of Horry County is on site as fast as possible, 24 hours a day, and handles everything from water extraction to full repairs. 

A restoration company responds to property damage caused by water, fire, mold, biohazards and other disasters — and returns the property to its pre-damage condition. This includes emergency response, water extraction, structural drying, removal of non-salvageable materials, mold remediation, odor removal, repairs, and full reconstruction if needed. A good restoration company also handles insurance documentation and works directly with your adjuster to support your claim. Restoration 1 of Horry County is a full service restoration company — we handle everything from the first emergency call through the final repair, with one point of contact throughout the entire process. 

Most water damage jobs require drying equipment for 3 to 5 days, though this varies depending on the extent of damage, the materials affected, and ambient conditions. Our IICRC certified technicians take moisture readings daily and use industry standard drying goals to determine when materials have reached acceptable moisture levels. Equipment is never removed until structures are verified dry — not just when a certain number of days have passed. Removing equipment too early is one of the most common causes of mold growth after water damage. We do not rush the drying process to save on equipment costs — we dry completely, document everything, and let the data drive the decision. 

Yes — untreated water damage is one of the most costly mistakes a homeowner can make. Within 24 to 48 hours mold can begin growing. Within days structural materials like drywall, wood framing, and subfloor begin to deteriorate. Over time untreated moisture causes wood rot, compromises structural integrity, creates serious air quality problems, and can make a home uninhabitable. What starts as a relatively minor water damage event can become a major structural and health issue if not addressed quickly and properly. The cost of professional restoration is almost always far less than the cost of delayed action. If you have water damage in your Horry County home — call immediately. 

We hear this occasionally and we understand the instinct to save money — especially when you are already dealing with the stress of a disaster. But water damage, mold, and fire restoration are not DIY projects, and the consequences of improper restoration can cost far more than the original job. 

Improper drying leads to mold. If moisture is left behind inside walls, under flooring, or in structural components, mold will grow — often without any visible signs until it has spread significantly. What started as a $3,000 water damage job can become a $15,000 mold remediation. 

Insurance requires proper documentation. If you plan to file an insurance claim, your carrier will require moisture logs, psychrometric readings, photos, and a documented scope of work following IICRC standards. A friend or handyman cannot provide this — and without it your claim may be denied. 

Improper mold remediation can make things worse. Disturbing mold without proper containment and air filtration spreads spores throughout the home, potentially turning a contained problem into a whole house issue. 

At Restoration 1 of Horry County we provide a free water damage assessment with no obligation. We will tell you honestly what needs to be done and why. Our pricing reflects IICRC certified technicians, professional equipment, proper documentation, and work that is done right the first time.