During times of heavy rain, it isn’t difficult for your home to get overtaken by ground water. It could be the rain that is blown under the basement door or perhaps there is a leak in the foundation that allows that costly water to sneak through.

It may seem like the storm is simply to blame.

But once water enters your home, the insurance question becomes much more complicated. Unless you have the proper coverage, you could be on the hook for the damages.

That’s because many insurance carriers consider damage that occurs during a storm to be “flood damage” and will not cover the costs of clean-up and recover – unless you have flood insurance.

“If you have a crawl space or a basement, I recommend that everyone has flood insurance,” First In Restoration founder David King said. “Even if you are not in a flood zone. Even if your dwelling isn’t close to a river or a creek, there’s a good chance the insurance carrier is going to try to deny your claim – even if it is valid.”

Most flood insurance is tailored to your potential water damage. So if you live in dry place where there’s no apparent threat for flooding, your premium will be lower than your friend who owns that condo at the beach.

It is estimated that 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from areas that aren’t designated high-risk flood areas. These zones may be susceptible to heavy rainfall or poor drainage. Just look at the damage incurred by Hurricane Harvey throughout Texas in 2017 or Hurricane Helene that reached up and ravaged North Carolina in 2024.

“That’s why I say it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to flood insurance,” King said. “A lot of people gamble to save a few bucks, only to find out it would have been worth it to avoid all the hassles and headaches.”

Check your homeowner’s policy. It will probably cover water damage from burst pipes, snapped water lines, an overflowing toilet or rain dripping through your room. But more than likely, if that water enters your home from the ground, it will not be covered.

Save yourself the aggravation and the expense. Check into the cost of a flood policy and save yourself the headaches.

Review your coverage before the next storm. And if water does get into your home or business, First In Restoration is available 24/7 to help with cleanup and restoration. Call 678-483-7284.

A hard rain can tell you a lot about your house. So, is your Georgia home ready for heavy rain?

Gutters overflow. Water collects around the foundation. A roof leak suddenly shows up. A crawlspace gets wet. Water finds its way through a window or door… before now it’s never been an issue.

Most of the time, the rain is not the entire problem, but it exposes something that was already there.

When it rains, the water needs somewhere to go.

If your gutters are clogged, they can send water over the edge of the roof instead of through the downspouts. Downspouts that empty right beside the house can dump gallons of water against the foundation. Low areas in the yard can hold water instead of carrying it away.

Inspect your property thoroughly during or right after a good rain. Is water flowing away from the house or is it collecting beside it and pooling up?

Other things to check include your roof. Roofs do not always have to be visibly damaged to leak. Loose flashing, worn seals, damaged shingles and small openings around roof penetrations can let water in during periods of heavy rain in Georgia.

The first sign may not be water dripping from the ceiling. It may be a stain in the attic, damp insulation, bubbling paint or a musty smell that shows up a few days later.

Heavy rain can also create problems around crawlspaces, basement walls, windows, doors and exterior drains.

If you see standing water where you normally do not, damp building materials, staining or moisture coming through a wall, don’t assume it will just dry on its own. Moisture left behind can also create conditions for mold growth.

You can’t control the weather, but you can pay attention to how your property handles it. These small warning signs are much easier to deal with before they turn into a full water loss.

If heavy rain leaves water inside your home or business, First In Restoration can help locate the affected areas, remove the water and properly dry the structure.

When disaster strikes, call First In Restoration at 678-483-7284.

You know something is wrong. You’ve seen the stains on the ceiling, the spots on the wall and the puddle in the floor. You realize that you’re dealing with water damage. And whether you’re a homeowner or own a commercial property, water damage isn’t something you can kick down the road. You’ve got to deal with it quickly and take the appropriate measures to fix it the right way.

But before you get freaked about your potential water damage, you need to understand with what you’re dealing. That’s why your first call should be to a water damage restoration specialist – even before contacting your insurance company.

“Water damage restoration needs to be done properly, otherwise you may have to come back and do the whole job again – and no one wants that,” said David King, owner of First in Restoration. “It may only require a simple fix. But even if the solution is more complicated, you want someone with experience who can diagnose the problem and walk with you through the process.”

There are three primary categories of water damage and each one of them requires different safety and cleanup procedures when it comes to restoration.

The three main categories are clean water damage, gray water damage, and black water damage.

Category 1 (Clear water): This could be something as simple as rainwater or melting snow, or the spillover from an overflowing sink or tub, or a leaking or broken water supply line. But the water cannot contain contaminants, otherwise it falls into a higher category. Many times a Category 1 leak can be a simple fix – drying out the affected area and replaced – without long-term effects.

Category 2 (Gray water): This category can be caused by an overflowing toilet, a broken washing machine or dishwasher, a sink or shower — or even a leaking aquarium. (This category does not include toilet waste.) This category is more serious and will need to be disinfected with some special chemicals.

Category 3 (Black water): This is the nasty stuff. It can come from a flooded sewer system or water that comes through something porous, like wood or sheetrock or unsealed cement. It could even come from river water flooding or seawater. Category 3 requires the most serious – and costly – treatment.

“Category 3 is the most serious problem because of the chemicals and other contaminants involved,” King said. “This is serious and you don’t need to try to handle this yourself. This requires professional equipment and special knowledge. This is where the experience of the restoration technician can be so helpful – and save you money.”

Your remediation and mitigation specialist at First in Restoration will be able to quickly determine the degree of your water problem. From there it’s a matter of prescribing a solution to the problem and getting your life back in order.

Have water damage? Don’t wait. Call First In Restoration at 678-483-7284 to have the damage assessed and get a plan for the right next steps.

There is no worse feeling than waking up in the morning, walking down the stairs to make a pot of coffee and stepping in a puddle of water. You know right away that you’ve got trouble. Maybe a pipe broke. Perhaps a water line was broken. Could even be a flooded dishwasher.

But discovering standing water is never a good thing and it inevitably means you need cleanup for your flooded house.

Put away the Bounty paper towels. You’ll need something more than the quicker picker-upper to cleanup your flooded house!

David King, founder of First In Restoration, has some advice for anyone who falls in that predicament, “First off, shut off the water source and contact us.” (First In Restoration has partnered with reliable emergency plumbers who can handle this.)

First In Restoration will remove all standing water and set up high capacity, professional drying equipment. You won’t be able to do this with your existing fans. It requires high-powered, professional machinery.

Our technicians will inspect the area for additional damage and guide you through the insurance claim to make sure it is documented and handled properly.

Proper documentation from the start can help prevent delays or issues with your insurance claim. The First In Restoration team works with insurance adjusters to document the damage thoroughly and help keep the claims process moving.

The priority in any flooded house cleanup is:

Clean up the mess
Fully dry the affected areas
Prevent mold growth

Remember, if water gets behind drywall, it must be addressed quickly to avoid major hidden water damage and mold issues.

It is imperative to deal with your flooded house cleanup as soon as possible. It will not go away, so it’s best to find a solution before further damage is incurred. Wishing it away won’t help, so make the call as soon as possible.

If you have a flooded house cleanup or other water, mold or fire emergency, make sure First In Restoration is on your speed dial. A trained technician is standing by at (678) 483-7284.

So you wake up in the morning and find a disaster. Your water supply line to the sink in the downstairs power room has broken during the middle of the night. As a result, your bathroom is flooded, your kitchen is flooded, your hallway is flooded and the water has poured downstairs into the baseman and left it partially flooded.

So, you ask, “What do you do if the bathroom floods and causes a big mess?”

The first response, other that shutting off the water and grabbing a mop, may be to call your insurance company. After all, you pay them a lot of money for situations just like this.

Your first response would be wrong. And it could end up costing you money in your insurance claim payment.

Yes, the insurance company will honor its policy and pay for the damage.

But they’ll pay a little as possible.

That’s why your first call after incurring a home water disaster is to call someone who has experience in the area of water damage restoration.

A trained technician can walk you through the process of what needs to happen in order to get order restored in your home. The technician will have the equipment needed to clean up the mess and begin to dry out your home.

An IICRC-certified trained technician, like those at First In Restoration, can provide a step-by-step action plan to help guide you through the process. And part of the guidance will be showing you how to navigate the insurance maze so you’ll get what you deserve – with the least amount of hassle from the bean counters.

A trained water restoration technician can help you identify the cause of the problem and, if needed, connect you with our 24/7 emergency plumbing partner. He will be able to take photos and moisture readings to document the damage, just in case the insurance company tries to resist.

The technician will also provide an estimate of the cost, a basic claim that simply cleans and dries the area, or a more extensive claim that includes any demolition or repairs that need to be done.

Some water-damage claims are simple. Others are more complicated, particularly when drywall, flooring, cabinets and personal items are involved. Do they need to simply be dried out? Or do they need to be replaced? There are questions that a technician can help you with when they come to begin the process of water-damage restoration.

A water-damage accident is a trying time. Not only is it inconvenient and damaging, it throws a huge kink into your work and personal schedules. It can be mentally draining.

If it happens to you, a family member or a friend, make sure the first step is to call an expert. Their guidance in a situation with water damage can save you money – sometimes a lot of money – and mental anguish.



If water damage happens in your home, call First In Restoration first. Our trained technicians can assess the damage, begin the drying process, document the loss, and help guide you through the insurance claim process from the start.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284

One of the biggest dangers for your home or business is the presence of mold. Mold can do a lot of damage to your physical structure and can causes long-term debilitating illnesses. Mold can even cause cancer.

That’s why mold must be treated immediately.

Mold isn’t one of those problems you can kick down the curb and deal with later. If you don’t deal with your mold problem, it is only going to get worse. And the worse it gets, the most costly the solution becomes – and there’s no telling how much damage is has done to the people and pets who live in your home or work in you business.

There are three ways that can determine whether you have mold

What you see: The visual clues are the most obvious. If you see spots (black, green, white, gray) on the walls, ceilings, around the windows or on the baseboards, you’re dealing with mold. Sometimes you see a discolored are or a stain that looks speckled or fuzzy. Maybe the drywall or wood is warped or there is bubbling or peeling of paint. Condensation is also a visual indication that something is going on.

What you smell: Even if you don’t see any visual sign, your nose may help you detect the mold. If it has that “old basement” or persistent musty odor, that’s almost a guarantee that you’ve got a mold issue. That smell seems to always be present and returns quickly, even after the area is cleaned out. You might notice it more in certain parts of the house, maybe a closet or near the heating vents. Your nose knows! Listen to it.

How your property reacts: Since mold needs moisture, there could be signs that is already forming. Are there water stains on your ceiling or wall? Are parts of the drywall squishy and give way to a slight touch? Does the floor feel uneven or soft? Have you had recent leaks from the roof or windows? Are the carpets or drapes damp? Do you see condensation on the heating and cooling ducts? Don’t ignore these signs.

If this is true for you, don’t delay about calling a trained technician to come and appraise the situation. A trained technician can diagnose what’s going on and set out a plan for you to follow.

A trained technician from First In Restoration has the equipment needed to fix the problem, whether it’s a simple solution or requires a more complicated answer. Depending on your policy, your homeowner’s insurance may or may not provide coverage, but our techs will document the damage and the work performed so you have the information you need for your insurance provider.

If you suspect mold, proper testing is an important step. Mold testing should be performed by an IICRC-certified technician, and samples should be sent to an environmental lab for analysis. This helps confirm what is present and gives the technician the information needed to recommend the proper next steps.

If you suspect mold in your home or business, proper testing is an important step. Mold testing should be performed by an IICRC-certified technician, and samples should be sent to an environmental lab for analysis. This helps confirm what is present and gives the technician the information needed to recommend the proper next steps.

Call First In Restoration. Our trained team can assess the damage, help identify the source of the moisture, and create a plan to properly test and address the mold before it gets worse.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284

Everyone ignores their water heater – until it is too late. But if you pay attention, you may be able to pick up on some clues that indicate your water heater may be headed toward trouble.

It’s best to catch a simple problem ahead of time, because when a water heater blows, it can cause plenty of water damage that could cost you a lot of money. That is why it’s best to understand how to spot the potential trouble.

The chances of your water heater exploding are remote. Although it has occurred – and can cause tremendous damage – that isn’t likely to happen.

More often than not, damage incurred from water heaters is due to a leak. If you see brown water come out of your faucets, or if your hot water smells like rotten eggs, this may indicate that the tank inside the water heater is corroded. This sign of weakness in the appliance can make it easier to rupture or leak – even explode.

And if you see any leaks around the water heater that have puddled or accumulated on the floor, it is important to call a plumber to investigate the matter. A trained plumber will be able to diagnose the problem with your water heater and offer a solution. It may be as simple as flushing the sediment from the tank or a loose connection. But it may be time to replace your water heater – and it’s better to get ahead of the problem.

However, if you have had damage due to a leak – or flood – caused by your water heater, it is imperative to call a trained water restoration professional. The technicians at “In First Restoration” can clean up the water damage, dry out your space and make sure it’s ready for the new unit.

If you do have water damage, don’t try to clean it up on your own. Water restoration professionals can restore your home and ensure there’s no chance for dangerous mold to grow in hidden areas. 

If you haven’t walked by your water heater lately, take a minute to give it a quick glance. If you see a problem, call your plumber. If you don’t have a plumber, don’t worry – First In Restoration has a partnership with an emergency plumber who is available 24/7, so call us first and we can help connect you with the right professional.

And if it’s become a big problem, call First In Restoration to clean up the mess from your water heater leak: (678) 483-7284

If the weatherman is predicting heavy rains – or even a tropical storm – in your area, you know there’s a good chance that you’ll be dealing with cleanup issues. But there are steps you can take to mitigate the amount of damage incurred. In fact, with the proper preventative measures, you might avoid it altogether.

So what are some smart steps to take to help prevent water damage in case of an impending storm? Here are a few ideas that could possibly save you some time – and money.

Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear. By removing the debis (leaves, old Frisbees, pizza boxes for Breaking Bad afficionados) you can make sure the water flows. Then, make sure the downspouts extend away from the house so the water will be dispersed in the appropriate places.
Take a look at the roof and make sure there are no missing shingles. If you see edges that are lifted up, take time to nail them down or repair them. Double-check the flashing around the chimney and the ventilation fans to make sure they’re in good condition and have the appropriate seal.

Make sure the soil is sloped away from the foundation. In extreme cases you might want to consider grabbing some sandbags.

Since you want to prevent the water from sneaking into the house, close and lock everything – a locked door has a tighter seal. If you have older windows, consider using a plastic sheet and painter’s tape to secure them.

Don’t forget the garage. If your driveway slopes down, put sandbags at the entrance. And, just to be sure, get everything off the floor. You could use a rack or an old wooden pallet, the kind that businesses will just throw away.

Don’t forget to have extra buckets and tarps ready – along with plenty of towels. (Keep that wet vac handy, too, just in case you need it.)

Once the storm is over, take a quick inventory of any damage. You’ll want to check the roof for possible leaks and you’ll want to dispose of any wet material as soon as possible – because failure to do so can lead to mold. Start running fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible to dry things out.

Hopefully you’ll avoid damage from Mother Nature’s latest incident, but if you have storm or water damage, the next step should be to reach out to a trained water mitigation specialist. Make that call first and the trained technician can help examine the damage and help walk you through the process of filing an insurance claim. That could help you get the most possible money from your insurance claim.

If your home or business has storm or water damage, call First In Restoration first. Our trained team can assess the damage, help dry out the affected areas, document the restoration process, and guide you through the next steps.

Call First In Restoration today: (678) 483-7284

Water damage can wreck your life. But there are steps you can take to mitigate the damage and keep your world from spinning completely out of control.

The first thing to do is to act quickly. If you spot a water problem – a broken pipe, a broken line, a busted water heater, an overflowing toilet or sink – speed is essential. Wasted time means additional damage, which could mean a higher cost and longer return to normal.

Here is a checklist to follow you should take if you walk in and discover you’ve got puddles of water in places it’s not supposed to be.

Stop the source of the water. Shut off the valve that leads to the problem area or turn it off at the street. This will only take a minute and will stop the source of the water, giving you time to think clearly and move forward.

If necessary, turn off the electricity. If the water is near an electrical outlet, it makes sense to go to your breaker panel and shut off the power to the area that is affected. If your breaker isn’t marked, go ahead and kill the power to entire house. You don’t want to play around with electricity!

Call your First In Restoration professional. The trained professional can arrive quickly and help you understand how the cleanup and restoration process works. The technician can help keep you safe and guide you through the process of getting your problem solved, including walking alongside you with the insurance company.

Document the damage. Use you smartphone and take photos and videos of the damage. Don’t miss anything. Document everything in the rooms that have been affected, including the furniture, carpet or flooring, walls, ceilings and your personal items. Do this before you start cleaning up. The more documentation you provide, the more you will help your claim with the insurance company.

Contact your insurance provider. You need to report the damage as soon as possible. (Our First In Restoration team can help you with this process and show you how to avoid some of the traps an insurance company may set that could possibly cost you money.) Follow their instructions; they’ll explain any documents they’ll need or how to work through the process of emergency repairs.

Remove standing water and begin the drying process. After documenting the damage (that’s a key point), you’ll want to get rid of all the visible water. You can remove a lot of it by using a wet vac or an old-fashioned mop. Use cloth towels and paper towels to get up the smaller spots.

Remove wet materials that can’t be salvaged. That water-soaked carpet and padding has to go. Ditch that soaked insulation. Remove the damaged drywall or other porous materials that can’t be dried promptly. Cleaning and disinfecting affected surfaces also helps reduce mold and bacteria.

Dry out the area. First In Restoration has larger, powerful fans and heaters that can be used to properly dry out your property. In the meantime, run whatever fans you have, open the windows (if weather permits), and fire up the dehumidifiers. That will help slow the process until First In Restoration can bring in the powerful equipment that will be needed.

Make the cleanup a priority. Time is of the essence because mold can begin growing within 24-28 hours of the disaster. A hasty cleanup will reduce the chance that mold will get a foothold and cause even more damage.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: First In Restoration joins Atlanta Apartment Association

First In Restoration has joined the Atlanta Apartment Association, one of largest organizations of its kind in the United States.

“We have always admired and respected the values for which the Atlanta Apartment Association has stood,” First In Restoration owner David King said. “The organization represents 1.9 million Georgians, and we are proud to be a part of their effort to provide fast, quality response to those in need.”

The Atlanta Apartment Association represents more than 350 companies and manages more than 500,000 apartment homes.

King is U.S. Marine Corps veteran who resides in Loganville, Ga. King’s company, First In Restoration specializes in water damage restoration, fire restoration and mold removal and remediation for multi-family dwellings, commercial buildings and residential properties throughout Georgia, with a focus in Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta.

First In Restoration is guided by the principle by which many of us were raised: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

This lesson really hit home when an elderly friend had a dishonest company take advantage of their family during an emergency. David saw the mistreatment and realized people in distress need a trustworthy friend to walk alongside them through the process.

“Our model of high quality and fast response matches the needs of Atlanta’s apartment owners. I see First In Restoration as a perfect partner for the Atlanta Apartment Association.”

First In Restoration is an IICRC certified firm and holds certification in water, fire, odor and mold removal and is a member of Restoration Industry Association.

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Contact information:

David King, First In Restoration, www.firstinrestoration.com

(678) 483-7284, info@firstinrestoration.com

Download a printable copy here: Press Release