Question 1

How fast can you get to my house?

Accepted Answer

We answer 24/7, including holidays and inversion-season freeze bursts. Salt Lake Valley jobs typically see a crew in under 60 minutes from dispatch. Utah County and Davis County are usually inside 90 minutes.

Question 2

Do you work with my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We bill carriers directly and we produce the file the adjuster needs: moisture logs, daily dry logs, photos, and a written scope. You have the legal right to choose your contractor — your insurer cannot require a preferred vendor.

Question 3

Is water damage covered by homeowners insurance?

Accepted Answer

Sudden and accidental losses — burst pipes, supply-line failures, storm water through a failed roof — are usually covered. Gradual leaks, lack of maintenance, and some sewer backups may not be. We inspect first, tell you what is likely covered, and will not start demolition you cannot pay for.

Question 4

How quickly does mold grow after a leak?

Accepted Answer

On wet drywall and framing, mold can colonize in 24 to 48 hours. That is why we extract and start drying the same visit. If you can already smell a musty odor, assume microbial growth and call before you open walls yourself.

Question 5

Are you IICRC certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are IICRC certified — WRT (Water Restoration Technician) and ASD (Applied Structural Drying). Water jobs follow ANSI/IICRC S500.

Question 6

Should I hire the contractor my insurance company recommends?

Accepted Answer

You can, but you do not have to. Utah homeowners choose their restoration contractor. We will still work with that carrier, attend the joint inspection, and negotiate the scope so you are not left with uncovered rebuild.

Question 7

What documentation do you give my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Everything the file needs: moisture logs, daily dry logs, photos of the loss as found and as dried, and a written scope. If the adjuster asks for another reading or a cavity shot, we get it. You should not have to chase paperwork.

Question 8

Are you a national franchise?

Accepted Answer

No. Perry Restoration is family owned and operated out of Highland. The people who answer the phone still run jobs. We treat your house like it's our own — save what can be saved, protect rooms that are not part of the loss, and walk you through insurance or a cash price before we start.

Question 9

What is Category 1 vs Category 3 water?

Accepted Answer

Category 1 is clean — a supply line. Category 2 is contaminated (appliance discharge, aquarium). Category 3 is grossly contaminated: sewage, river flood, toilet overflow from the bowl. We treat by category, not by how it looks.

Question 10

How long does drying take?

Accepted Answer

Most Salt Lake Valley homes reach dry standard in 3 to 5 days with equipment in place. Hardwood, plaster, and dense insulation can take longer. We do not pull equipment until meter readings say so.

Question 11

Can I dry it with fans from Home Depot?

Accepted Answer

Box fans move air. They do not dehumidify a wet cavity. Water in the wall cavity is what grows mold. Professional drying equipment exists for that reason.

Question 12

What do you send my insurance company?

Accepted Answer

Moisture logs, daily dry logs, photos, and a written scope. If the adjuster wants another cavity shot or a follow-up reading, we get it. You should not have to assemble the claim file yourself.

Question 13

Do I need testing before remediation?

Accepted Answer

If you can see it and smell it, you usually do not need air samples to start. Testing is most useful after the work, as clearance, or when the source is hidden. We will say so honestly — we do not sell panels you do not need.

Question 14

Will insurance pay for mold?

Accepted Answer

Many Utah policies cap mold or exclude it unless it follows a covered water loss. If we are already drying a burst pipe, the related demolition is often in the water claim. We flag coverage limits before we open walls.

Question 15

Is it safe to stay in the house?

Accepted Answer

Small, contained closets — usually yes, with the door closed and HVAC isolated. Whole-home or HVAC contamination is a different call. We will tell you before we set containment.

Question 16

Can you work around our hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most commercial dry-outs start after close and run equipment on a plan the manager signs. We do not block egress or life-safety systems.

Question 17

Do you carry the limits our building requires?

Accepted Answer

We carry general liability and workers' compensation and issue additional-insured certificates for property managers on request.

Straight answers before the truck rolls