Keep Capital Carpet Care’s phone number handy in the event of an emergency water intrusion. Call us immediately at 301-948-6724 so we can help to prevent further damage to your home. We are here to help you 24hrs a day!

• Always check and unclog any outdoor drains.
  
  
• Have your gutters checked and cleaned of leaves or debris which may cause a blockage.
  
  
• Inspect and replace your gutters as necessary, and always lead the drain spout away from your house.
  
  
• Check and replace supply lines to toilets and washers. This should be done bi-yearly and preferably replaced with premium steel braided hoses.
  
  
• Check and replace, if necessary, the sump pump of your home. Clean any debris which may clog the ejection line.
  
  
• Have your Air Condition (AC) unit checked yearly and maintained by a certified HVAC technician. Clean any debris out of the reservoir to the AC condensation line.
  
  
• It is very important to know the exact location of the main shut off valve to the water supply line to the home. Let all of those whom occupy the residence know of its location in the event of an emergency water intrusion.
  
  
• In the winter months, turn off and drain all outdoor water faucets to prevent your pipes from bursting due to extremely cold temperatures.
  
  
• If you have plans to go out of town for a few days and no one will be home, it is recommended to shut off the main water supply line of your home. It is generally located in the basement utility room.
  

• How long does the average water damage take from start to finish? Most water losses can be dried and completed within 3 days. This also depends on the extent of the loss and which type of materials that were affected.
  
  
• Can I use your services even though I have not contacted my insurance company? Yes, if you decide to file a claim of covered water damage, the insurance agent will provide a list of repair specialists in your area. However, it is your right to choose any certified vendor such as Capital Carpet Care, LLC. Because often, time is not on your side, you may not be able to afford the time that it takes for an insurance adjuster to return your call or even begin the claim process. We are familiar with insurance companies and we can provide any and all services which entail full restoration of your home.
  
  
• Can I turn off the drying equipment at night? The answer is NO. It is imperative that the equipment is left running for the entirety of the restoration process. To prevent further damage we recommend that you not turn off, touch, or move any of the drying equipment. Should you have any questions concerning any equipment issues, please contact us and we will have a certified technician inspect, move, or replace any equipment left on the premises.
  
  
• Should I be living here while restoration is taking place? In most cases yes. This depends on where within the home the loss occurred and how much of your home is damaged. In extraordinary cases your insurance company will make arrangements for temporary housing while restoration is being completed. Please check your policy coverage.
  
  
• Should I be worried about mold? This depends on how long the water damage had been left unnoticed. If a loss is tended to immediately mold is generally not an issue. Most permeable materials take 48-72 hours to dry. In some instances it may take a while longer to dry. With a careful and thorough inspection, in addition to mildew treatments, mold can be avoided.
  
  
• What should I do when water damage occurs in my home? The very first thing you should do to prevent further damage is to locate and shut off any water source to the intrusion. It is a good idea that anyone residing in the home knows where the main water shut off valve is located. It is generally located in the utility closet of most homes. The next thing you should do call Capital Carpet Care to immediately begin the drying process. If needed, please call a certified plumber to repair the issue. Your insurance company should also be immediately contacted and notified to verify coverage. You should also remove any undamaged personal belongings out of the immediate area of the loss. This will help minimize any further damage.
  
  
• Should I try to take care of water damage myself? If you’re a do it yourselfer, it will be tempting to take care of a loss yourself. It is NEVER a good idea. Generally, the extent of the loss is not always visually apparent. Without the proper moisture detecting tools and knowledge you may not be able to identify all affected areas. In addition, shall an affected area go unnoticed, mold growth will occur and mold spore infestation can and will become a problem. Failure to professionally clean, treat and mitigate water related damages may result in a reduction of the selling price of your home and increased insurance premiums. Often insurance companies will not cover a loss that was neglected and or not properly corrected by a certified contractor. This can also lead to substantial damage to the structure and indoor environmental issues. Please call us and we will take care of everything for you. (Please see our water damage prevention tips tab.) We recommend you not make any major repairs before contacting Capital Carpet Care or your insurance company and determining your loss coverage. But since the water damage needs to be fixed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your property, it is critical to report the issue in a timely manner. If you are unable to stop the water intrusion or make the necessary repairs yourself, please contact a certified plumber. (Please see our preferred vendors tab.) The sooner you can stop the source, the less damage your home or business will suffer.
  
  
• Can I call evenings, weekends, or even nights in the event of a water loss? Yes, we are here 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year.
  

• Can mold be harmful to my health? Yes, there are a number of documented cases of health effects and physical problems resulting from indoor exposure to mold spores. Most related illnesses can result from high level/short term and lower level/ long term exposures. The most common health effects or symptoms reported from exposure to indoor mold environments are chronic clearing of the throat, runny nose, eye irritation, cough and congestion aggravation of asthma, allergic reactions similar to cat allergies, headache and fatigue. Mold related health effects are often reported as feeling like you have a cold but you don’t. Eventually it may feel like you have the flu but you don’t.
  
  
• Will my insurance cover mold remediation? Although in some special cases mold remediation may be covered, unfortunately most insurance companies will not. Recently, some insurance companies have excluded or limited insurance coverage of damages caused by mold and fungus. Mold infestation occurs when a water intrusion goes unnoticed or neglected.
  
  
• Are my children more susceptible to mold hazards? Yes, the following individuals whom are at a higher risk of negative health effects, than others: Infants, children, elderly, adverse compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions.
  
  
• What can I do to prevent mold infestation? To prevent mold growth and further water damage to your property, you may need to take reasonable actions as indicated in your insurance policy, including finding and fixing the source of the water problem and removing excess water. You may move wet items to dry them, but make sure to take photographs of the original damages and do not discard materials until your insurance company advises you to do so. In addition, it is your responsibility to report and hire a certified restoration contractor to mitigate and restore any water intrusion. Generally mold infestation occurs through the neglect of a water loss. It is never a good idea to have the attitude of “out of site out of mind” with mold, what you cannot see is what is most dangerous.
  
  
• Can my pets be affected by mold? Yes, it is possible for pets to have adverse effects from mold exposure. In the allergic state, the dogs and cats immune system "overreacts" to foreign substances (allergens and molds) to which it is exposed. Molds can affect the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge.

• How long does the average carpet cleaning take? Usually most cleanings take anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the size of your cleaning.
  
  
• How long does the carpet take to dry? This really depends on the weather conditions. In most cases, carpets will dry within 3-5 hours or less. On rainy days, because of high humidity levels it could take a while longer to dry.
  
  
• How soon after a cleaning can I walk on the carpets? We recommend that you stay off of the carpets while they are damp. 5-6 hours is generally enough time for carpets to feel dry. Please remember that although carpets may feel dry to the touch they will not be fully dry until 24 hours have passed.
  
  
• When should I remove the foam blocks and foil tabs from under my furniture? We recommend leaving them under your furniture for at least 24 hours. Permanent damage can and will occur from wood stain or rust.
  
  
• Does 3M Scotchguard really work? The answer is yes. Carpet protectors do work wonderfully. They do not prevent stains from getting on the carpet, but they do facilitate in the removal of stains and also keep them from becoming permanent.
  
  
• How often should I apply Scotchguard protector to my carpets? Application of Scotchguard depends on how much traffic you have in your home and how often you have your carpets cleaned. We recommend that carpet protectors be applied every third cleaning in low traffic areas and every other cleaning in high traffic areas.
  
  
• How often should I have my carpets cleaned? We recommend that you clean your carpets every 12-18 months; a thorough cleaning once a year and high traffic areas every six months after. This also depends on the amount of traffic in your home. We offer cleaning maintenance schedules at discounted prices, to ensure complete maintenance of your carpet investment.

<Back to top>