Reference library · water and fire damage restoration
Topic index
Reference library

Plain-language guides to water and fire damage, from the first leak to the final repair

American Drying Institute is a library of plain-language guides on water and fire damage: what causes it, how professional restoration works step by step, how to prevent the next incident, and how to judge a restoration company before you hire one.

Browse the topic index How to use this library
83
guides
9
topic hubs
30
sub-topics
Topic index

Browse the library by hub

Nine hubs, each with its own sub-topics. Water damage hubs carry a blue rule, fire damage hubs a brick-red one. Open a hub to see its sub-topics and every guide filed under them.

From the library

Guides to get you oriented

See every hub →
How to use this library

Three questions, in order

The hubs are arranged the way a damage event unfolds. Start with the question you are facing right now.

  1. 1

    What caused it, and can it be stopped?

    Leaks, appliance failures, sewage backups, storms and fires all leave different traces. The cause decides what gets dried, cleaned or rebuilt first.

    Causes of water damagePreventing water damagePreventing fire damage

  2. 2

    What does restoration actually involve?

    Assessment, extraction and drying, cleaning and disinfecting, then repairs and reconstruction. Knowing the sequence helps you follow what a crew is doing and why.

    Water restoration processFire restoration processEmergency water servicesEmergency fire services

  3. 3

    Who should you hire, and what will it cost?

    Credentials, response time, equipment, transparent pricing and how insurance claims are handled. These guides give you the questions to ask before signing anything.

    Choosing a water damage companyChoosing a fire damage company

Written by Carla Ruvalcaba

Every guide in the library is written by Carla Ruvalcaba and filed under one sub-topic so it is easy to find again. The guides are independent and general in nature; they are not a substitute for an inspection by a qualified restoration professional or advice from your insurer.

About the writer → About the library →