The First Call: Response to Water Damage
The reported date of loss was May 19, 2026. After a bathtub overflow caused water damage in the Auburn home, Arko took the initial call and arranged for the restoration process to begin. Water affected the upstairs bathroom, walk-in closet, recreation room, basement bathroom, and play area. Before repairs could begin, the damaged materials had to be removed and household belongings moved out of the way.
Initial Inspection and Damage Assessment
Project Manager Jason Lokhmatov inspected the affected areas and found that the damage extended beyond the visible flooring. The team also identified water damage in the bedroom, hallway, and living room. To reach the wet areas and prepare the home for drying, the mitigation work included removing damaged flooring, drywall, insulation, and sections of subfloor.
Water Mitigation and Removal of Damaged Materials
The mitigation work focused on removing water-damaged materials from five areas of the home and drying the remaining structures. Technicians also protected unaffected surfaces and moved belongings to provide access to the damaged rooms.
Removing Damaged Materials and Starting Drying
We removed water-damaged flooring, drywall, insulation, and other affected materials from five areas of the home. The recreation room required the most extensive removal, including nearly 392 square feet of carpet and padding, 382 square feet of drywall, and 144 square feet of insulation. In the bathrooms, walk-in closet, and play area, we removed damaged flooring, carpet, baseboards, drywall, and sections of subfloor. Across the affected areas, the removed materials included approximately 466 square feet of carpet and padding, 91 square feet of vinyl flooring, 630 square feet of drywall, 194 square feet of insulation, 42 square feet of subfloor, and nearly 88 linear feet of baseboards and trim. To access the damaged areas, we detached fixtures and other items where needed, including sinks, toilets, cabinets, countertops, plumbing connections, a light fixture, and an exhaust fan.
We extracted standing water and set up drying equipment, including dehumidifiers, air movers, and an air scrubber. Our team also monitored the equipment, vacuumed affected surfaces with HEPA equipment, and applied a plant-based antimicrobial treatment to help clean the affected areas before repairs began. Before closing the mitigation project, we recorded final moisture readings and completed the drying logs. The readings met industry standards.
Contents Packout, Storage, and Return
Water mitigation also required attention to household belongings. On May 21 and 22, our team, including Rick Belden, Jalen Crane, Shasta Mesplie, and Jeremiah Maher, spent 40 labor hours packing, inventorying, and moving the belongings, with an additional six hours of on-site supervision over the two days. We used specialized boxes for clothing, televisions, mirrors, and artwork. We also used bubble wrap, furniture pads, and stretch wrap to protect the items during transport. A moving truck was used to transport the packed belongings to storage.
We stored the homeowner’s household items in three storage vaults and on one pallet while the home was being restored. The move-back was scheduled for August 25, and the return process was marked complete on September 1.
Insurance Review and Reconstruction Planning
As we prepared for reconstruction, we worked with the insurer to review the proposed repair costs and supporting requests. We submitted additional repair requests on June 12, and on June 29, the insurer reviewed the requested items and approved several of them. The review helped clarify which parts of the restoration would be covered and which requested costs or upgrades would not be fully approved. Part of the contents packout costs was also approved.
Home Repairs & Reconstruction
The contents return was marked complete on September 1, 2026. Reconstruction was completed in early October, with repairs covering drywall, flooring, insulation, painting, baseboards, cabinetry, and tile. We also completed a final walkthrough with the homeowner to review the finished work. The reconstruction comes with a three-year warranty, giving the homeowner added peace of mind long after the repairs are complete.