& Repair Services in Atlanta
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5.0 Ratings based on 638 reviews - Local Experts, Local Reviews
Standing in a soaked living room after a burst pipe and trying to figure out what's salvageable is overwhelming. Everything you own is dripping at…
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Standing in a soaked living room after a burst pipe and trying to figure out what's salvageable is overwhelming. Everything you own is dripping at once, and the instinct is to save it all or throw it all out. Some items look ruined and can be fully restored. Others look fine and are already growing mold. At Tidal Wave Response, we walk homeowners through this triage process on water damage restoration jobs. Here's how to sort through the aftermath category by category so nothing important gets tossed and nothing dangerous stays behind.
Mold spores start colonizing wet materials within 24 to 48 hours. That window isn't a suggestion. The clock starts the moment water touches your stuff, not when you notice the damage or when the plumber leaves. Here are the early steps you can take to reduce damage:
Professional water removal within the first day gives most items a fighting chance. If you wait three days, the list of salvageable belongings shrinks. The category of water is also important. Clean supply-line water buys you more time than a sewage backup, which contaminates porous materials on contact.
Solid wood furniture handles water surprisingly well. An oak dresser that sat in two inches of water for a day can usually be dried, sanded, and refinished back to usable condition. Look for white hazing, raised grain, or joint separation. All three can be repaired. The wood itself rarely fails unless it's been submerged for days.
Particle board and MDF swell, crumble, and lose structural integrity once moisture penetrates the veneer. An IKEA bookshelf or bargain nightstand probably won’t come back, no matter how carefully you dry it. The glue binding the sawdust dissolves, and the panels warp into shapes that won't hold weight.
Hi. I don’t know where to start. John and Tidal wave his company were and still are a blessing from my Lord. One morning in January of this year I went down stairs and stepped in a puddle of water it was flooded. I also passed out. This was the second one in less than a year. I stood there for a minute and just cried. All I could think of was my insurance company may not take care of it a second time even if it was for a different leak. The last claim they paid out $23,000 for…
John Mayer, Principal of Tidal Wave Response, and his project management team, lead by Colin Galubinski, has completed the restoration of my home in record time. The work included, but was not limited to the following: 1) Professional water leak detection 2) Professional plumbing that removed the concrete slab and backfill material, found and repaired the PEX cold water pipe 3) Backfilled and placed concrete to finish grade 4) Packed the furniture to storage. Restored the furniture without incident nor damage. 5) Dehumidified and removed the damaged carpet and hardwoods. 6) Cleaned the concrete surface and installed the new hardwoods.…
I have worked in sales and also have experience in launching my own business. It is rare that you find a company that genuinely has your best interest in mind. Not only was John helpful outside of his business’ expertise, but he sent Chris to do a *free* evaluation of our water damage. John and Chris were both genuine and personable. They cared about what our situation was and they weren’t looking to get any sort of “fee” for their time. These are the kind of people you trust to handle big, catastrophic water damage to. I have previously had…
While others might categorize John as a fast talker, but on the other hand. I saw a man that's passionate about his business and willing to help others elevate their present situation. In early December 2022, our laundry room floor and wall got water damaged due to leakage from the hotline pipe, and other rooms got impacted due to water spreading. So, I reached out to John and he assured me they'll do everything within their power to get our house done before Christmas day. Boy was he right! John and the tidalwave response team were professional, helpful and got…
We did not plan to renovate our terrace level but when the hot water heater leaked and flooded the entire area, Tidal Wave was recommended to us by the plumber who installed the new hot water heater. John, the owner was at our house the same evening and mitigation started early the next morning. The crew professionally removed wet drywall, flooring, and baseboard. Fans and dehumidifiers ran for several days and then the fun began. With Colin's help we were able to choose updated flooring, repaint a color of our choice, and new trim was installed. Everything was completed professionally.…
Wow incredible company! I had a water damage that destroyed my entire main level. John and his team are very quick and efficient. When I was looking on google, tidal wave response was the only water restoration company with a 5 star review. Highly recommended using tidal wave response!!
I had a flood in my downstairs living room. It was devastating. John with Tidal wave was very professional. He had his team show up immediately to get the job done. Great work Tidal Wave. I'm definitely going to refer you to others.
Thank Goodness !!! Johnny on the spot! We had a pipe ruptured in the ceiling and we were looking for a 5 Star Rated Water Restoration company . Johnny came out with a Thermal Camera and found the pipe spraying behind the wall. I wish I would have called him sooner . My wood floors were so damaged by the water, they all will need to be replaced. We highly recommended Johnny with Tidal Wave. Very knowledgeable and even helped us start a claim with our insurance ..
Had a shaky start with this particular project but I must say the owner took charge and corrected all the remaining issues. I will say that this particular job was the absolute worst I have taken on in 45 yrs. My hat is off to Mike and his crew and Allan was superb in making sure everything was done correctly. Thank you for your follow-up on this project guys. And Allan thank you especially for your thoroughness in making sure it was completed correctly.
Unfortunately, my water heater was old, cracked, and leaking water onto the supported area in my garage. I needed to replace the water heater with a new one, but the plumber told me that in order to meet the city code, I would have to handle the water damage first. I called out tidal wave (who I’ve worked with before), and they came out the very next day to cut out the affected area and treat for mold. This is my second issue with water in my house and tidal wave has taken care of both issues. They are fast,…
Sofas, chairs, and ottomans hide the worst mold problems in your house after a flood. The fabric might dry on the surface within a day, but the foam padding underneath holds moisture for weeks. The trapped water breeds mold inside the cushion, and you won't smell it until it's already spread through the frame.
Contaminated water changes the math. If it comes into contact with sewage, river water, or standing water, disposal is the safer call. Clean water gives you a window, but you'll need commercial-grade drying equipment to pull moisture from the padding fast enough. Home fans and open windows won't cut it.
Never plug in a wet electronic device to test whether it works. That’s a serious safety hazard. It could also fry the board and turn a repairable device into scrap. Shut down the power to everything the moment you spot water, and unplug devices if it’s safe to do so. You’ll need to let items dry for at least 72 hours before testing. Replace anything that made contact with contaminated water.
Small electronics like phones, tablets, and gaming consoles have decent chances of recovery if the water was clean and you cut the power quickly. Large appliances need a technician's inspection before you trust them again. A washing machine or fridge that got soaked may run but have compromised wiring. Testing priorities look like this:
Photos that look destroyed can sometimes be recovered if you act within 48 hours. Remove debris, then lay them flat on paper towels or hang them from a clothesline with clips on the edges. Don't blot the surface. You'll lift the emulsion off the paper.
For documents, freezing buys you time. Slip wet papers into zip-top bags and put them in the freezer. This stops mold growth and ink bleed until you can dry each page individually. Books and photo albums benefit from the same trick. Professional document restoration services use freeze-drying chambers to recover materials that would otherwise be lost.
Clothing has the highest recovery rate of any category on this list. Most fabrics handle water without permanent damage, and modern washing machines paired with the right detergent handle contamination that would ruin other materials. Wash items in the hottest water the fabric allows, run two cycles, and add a color-safe disinfectant on the second pass.
Wool, silk, and leather need different handling. Take these to a dry cleaner who has experience with flood recovery rather than trying to wash them at home. Leather, especially, will crack and stiffen if you air-dry it without conditioning. Rugs and carpets are the exception in this category. Wall-to-wall carpet that sat wet for more than 48 hours usually needs to go, since the pad underneath can hold mold.
When floodwater hits your home, sorting salvageable from ruined is a job that rewards experience. Call Tidal Wave Response for fast water removal and full water damage restoration that gives your belongings the best shot at recovery.
From emergency water extraction to full property recovery, Tidal Wave Response provides the fast, expert care you need. Browse our complete suite of 24/7 restoration services below to see how we can help today.
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How Long Does It Take for Mold to Grow After Water Damage? Water sitting in drywall or under flooring for even a day can seed a mold problem that costs thousands to remediate. Most homeowners have no idea the clock starts ticking the moment the pipe bursts or the storm pushes water inside. Once musty smells show up, the colonies are already established behind the walls. Tidal Wave Response is here to help. Keep reading to see the timeline mold…
