Frequently Asked Questions

Does DRYmedic offer free estimates?

Yes. Every damage assessment is free — we come out, inspect the water, mold, fire, or storm damage, explain what we found, and give you a clear scope before any work begins. No trip fee, no assessment charge, no obligation. Call (843) 790-5769 or use the estimate form on any page.

Is DRYmedic certified?

Yes. DRYmedic Restoration of Charleston is IICRC certified (the industry standard for water, mold, and fire restoration, including S500 water and S520 mold standards), licensed and insured in South Carolina, and screened by Google — background check, license, and insurance independently verified. Certification numbers are available on request and on every estimate.

How does DRYmedic handle insurance claims?

Start to finish. We document the loss with photos and moisture readings, write the scope in the format adjusters expect, meet the adjuster on-site when needed, and bill the carrier directly where possible — so your out-of-pocket cost on a covered loss is usually just your deductible. You always have the legal right in South Carolina to choose your own restoration company, regardless of your insurer's "preferred" list.

Do you really answer 24/7?

Yes — a real person, every call, including nights, weekends, holidays, and during storm events. Water and fire emergencies can't wait for business hours, so we don't keep them.

What should I do first when I find water damage?

If it's safe: shut off the water source, cut power to affected rooms at the breaker, move valuables out of the water's path, take photos, and call us at (843) 790-5769. Avoid rooms with sagging ceilings, and never use a household vacuum on standing water.

How fast does mold start after water damage in Charleston?

In Lowcountry humidity, mold can begin establishing within 24–48 hours of a water event — faster than in most of the country. That's why professional drying should start the same day the loss happens, not after the weekend.

How do I know if a pipe has burst?

The loud ones announce themselves — the quiet ones do the damage. Signs worth trusting: a sudden drop in water pressure, the sound of running water when every fixture is off, your water meter spinning with everything closed, warm or damp patches on walls or floors, a musty smell that appeared out of nowhere, or a water bill that jumped without explanation. Quick test: turn off every faucet and appliance, then watch the meter for two minutes. If it moves, water is going somewhere it shouldn't. Shut off the main and call — finding hidden water is exactly what moisture meters are for.

What should I do if a pipe bursts?

In order: (1) shut off the main water valve — know where it is before you need it; (2) kill power to affected rooms at the breaker if water is near outlets or fixtures; (3) open faucets to drain pressure from the lines; (4) move what you can out of the water's path; (5) photograph everything; (6) call us at (843) 790-5769 — extraction and drying that starts within hours is the difference between a dry-out and a rebuild. The full hour-by-hour sequence is in our first-24-hours guide.

Will my homeowners insurance cover the damage?

Most sudden and accidental losses — burst pipes, appliance failures, fire, and the water damage from putting a fire out — are covered by standard homeowners policies. Rising floodwater (storm surge, tidal flooding, overwhelmed drainage) typically requires separate flood insurance through NFIP or a private carrier. We document everything and work directly with your adjuster either way.

Do I have to use the restoration company my insurance recommends?

No. In South Carolina you have the right to choose your own restoration contractor. Insurer "preferred vendor" lists are suggestions, not requirements. Choose the company you trust — we work with all carriers.

What does "Google Guaranteed" mean?

It's a verification badge Google awards to home-service businesses that pass its screening: the owner and business clear a background check, and Google independently verifies the company's license and insurance. In plain terms, it means a third party checked that we are who we say we are before we ever knocked on your door.

Google also backs jobs booked directly through its Local Services Ads with a limited money-back guarantee, under Google's own terms and coverage limits — that guarantee applies to bookings made through that ad channel, not to every job everywhere. Our IICRC certification, South Carolina license, and insurance apply to all work we perform, however you found us.

How much does restoration cost?

It depends on the category of water, how far it spread, and how long it sat — which is why we assess for free instead of quoting blind. For covered losses, your out-of-pocket is usually just your deductible; we bill the carrier directly where possible and use industry-standard pricing your adjuster already recognizes. Full ranges and what drives them: our Charleston cost guide.

I'm in a flood zone. Which policy pays if my ground floor floods?

It depends where the water came from. Water from above (roof leak, burst pipe) is a homeowners claim; water rising from outside is a flood claim. Much of coastal Charleston carries both policies for exactly this reason. We help you document the loss correctly for whichever policy applies.

Does renters insurance cover water damage?

It covers your belongings when a covered peril damages them — a burst pipe soaking your furniture, for instance. The building itself (walls, floors, the drying and repairs) is the landlord's policy, not yours. Two gaps renters should know: rising floodwater isn't covered without a separate flood policy, and damage from your own neglect isn't covered at all. If you rent and there's water in your place: document everything, notify the landlord in writing immediately, and call us — we regularly work three-way with tenants, landlords, and property managers.

What type of water damage is NOT covered by insurance?

The usual exclusions: gradual damage (the slow leak that stained a ceiling over months — insurers call it "seepage" and treat it as maintenance), rising floodwater without a separate flood policy, sewer backup without a water-backup endorsement, mold from moisture that was never addressed, and anything traced to neglect. Notice the pattern — slow and unaddressed is excluded; sudden and reported is covered. It's one more reason fast response protects your wallet twice. Full detail in our SC insurance guide.

What should I not say to my home insurance company?

Never anything untrue — but don't speculate, either. The honest version of this advice: don't guess at how long the leak existed ("it's probably been leaking for months" can reclassify a covered loss as excluded seepage when you genuinely don't know), don't call it a "flood" when a pipe burst (flood is a specific term that points at a different policy), and don't estimate causes or costs you haven't verified. Describe exactly what you found and when you found it, then let the documentation — photos, moisture readings, the plumber's diagnosis — speak. That's precisely the documentation we build for every loss.

Will insurance pay for mold remediation?

Often, with a catch. Mold that resulted from a covered, promptly-reported water loss is generally covered as part of that claim. Mold from long-term moisture nobody addressed usually isn't — and many policies carry mold sublimits that cap payment below what remediation costs. The practical takeaway: report water losses fast and in writing, because the clock on "promptly" starts at discovery. We document the water source alongside the mold, which is what ties the remediation to the covered loss.

How long does structural drying take?

Typically 3–5 days depending on materials and saturation, verified against IICRC drying standards with daily moisture readings. We show you the numbers — no guesswork, no equipment left running a day longer than needed.

Do you handle repairs, or just the drying?

Both. We handle mitigation (extraction, drying, controlled demolition where needed) and restoration (drywall, flooring, paint, trim) — one company, one point of contact, from first call to final walkthrough.

Will you work with my property manager, HOA, or me if I'm out of town?

Yes — we regularly coordinate with property managers, HOAs, and remote owners, including vacation rentals on Folly Beach and Isle of Palms. We can meet a manager on-site, send photo documentation, and handle authorization by phone and email.

Can you save my hardwood floors / plaster walls / cabinets?

Often, yes — if drying starts fast enough. Our default is restore over replace: specialty drying mats for hardwoods, careful drying for historic plaster, and honest calls about what's genuinely too far gone. It's better for your home, your timeline, and your claim.