Chesapeake water, fire & mold restoration FAQ

Water damage in Chesapeake

Our shop is on Lambert Court in Chesapeake, so crews roll from inside the city. The high water table and crawlspace construction here are what make local water losses different.

How fast can you reach my Chesapeake home?

Usually faster than anywhere else we serve — we are based in Chesapeake, so Great Bridge, Greenbrier, Deep Creek, Western Branch and Hickory are all a short run. Our citywide average is under 60 minutes, 24 hours a day.

Why does my crawlspace stay wet after the leak is fixed?

Chesapeake's high water table keeps ground moisture pushing up into vented crawlspaces. Fixing the leak stops the source, but the soil, joists and subfloor still hold water. We meter framing and subfloor rather than trusting a dry-looking surface, and dry to a documented target.

How long does structural drying take?

Three to five days for most residential losses. Crawlspace and slab-adjacent losses often run longer because the moisture sits in materials that release slowly. You get daily readings, not a guess.

Is storm and tidal flooding covered by my homeowners policy?

Generally not. Rising water needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy, while a burst supply line, failed water heater, appliance overflow or roof leak is normally covered under the homeowners policy. We document the source so the right policy gets billed.

Fire and smoke damage in Chesapeake

Once Chesapeake Fire clears the scene, the property still needs securing, water extraction and a documented scope before any rebuild starts.

What happens in the first 24 hours after a fire?

We board up openings, tarp the roof, secure utilities and start time-stamped photo documentation. Extracting firefighting water immediately is what keeps a fire loss from turning into a mold loss a week later.

Can smoke odor actually be removed?

Yes, but it is a process rather than a spray: remove charred material, HEPA vacuum and wash surfaces, clean the HVAC system, then treat with hydroxyl or ozone and seal remaining substrates before finishes go back in.

What happens to our furniture, clothing and electronics?

Salvageable contents are inventoried, packed out, cleaned off site and stored until the home is ready. You keep a copy of the inventory, and the same list supports the contents portion of your claim.

Do I need permits to rebuild after a fire in Chesapeake?

Structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work requires permits through Chesapeake Development and Permits. As a licensed VA Class A contractor (lic. 2705138091) we pull them and coordinate every inspection.

Mold remediation in Chesapeake

Between coastal humidity, a high water table and vented crawlspaces, mold here is a year-round condition rather than a seasonal one.

Why does mold keep returning in my crawlspace?

Because the moisture source was never addressed. Vented crawlspaces pull humid summer air onto cool surfaces and condense it. Without encapsulation, drainage or dehumidification, remediation alone is temporary — so we scope the source fix with the cleanup.

Do you test for mold?

Inspection and moisture readings are free. For clearance testing we recommend an independent third-party industrial hygienist so the company verifying the work is not the company that performed it.

How long does remediation take?

A contained bathroom or closet is often one to two days. Whole-crawlspace or multi-room projects usually run three to seven days, plus post-remediation verification before any rebuild.

Will insurance pay for mold?

It depends on the cause. Mold resulting from a sudden covered loss such as a pipe break is frequently covered up to a policy sublimit. Mold from long-term humidity or deferred maintenance generally is not. We tell you which one you have before work begins.

Insurance, estimates and scheduling

How the paperwork side works on a Chesapeake property loss.

Do you bill my insurance company directly?

Yes. We write the scope in Xactimate — the platform your adjuster already uses — submit photos and moisture logs into the claim file, and bill the carrier direct. On a covered loss you normally pay only your deductible.

Can I use you if my carrier recommended someone else?

Yes. In Virginia the choice of contractor is yours. A carrier may suggest a preferred vendor, but you are not required to use one.

Is the estimate free?

Always, on insurance losses and private remodeling alike. You receive the full line-item estimate rather than a lump-sum number.

Which parts of Chesapeake do you cover?

All of it — Great Bridge, Deep Creek, Western Branch, Greenbrier, Hickory, South Norfolk and everything between — plus the rest of Hampton Roads. 365 Restoration has worked out of 1720 Lambert Court, Unit I since 1995.

Still have a question?

Send the details and photos and a project manager will call you back. For an active emergency, call (757) 403-9958 so we can dispatch now.