Water Damage Mitigation
Fast extraction, moisture mapping, and full structural drying for residential and commercial water damage events across Washington, DC.
Water damage is one of the most common and destructive events a property owner can face. Whether the source is a burst pipe, a failed appliance, a roof leak, a sewage backup, or a flooding event, standing water and residual moisture cause rapid deterioration of building materials and create conditions for mold growth within 24 to 48 hours.
Fort Totten Restoration responds to water damage calls with truck-mounted and portable water extraction equipment capable of removing large volumes of standing water quickly. Once extraction is complete, we conduct moisture mapping using calibrated meters and thermal imaging cameras to locate water that has migrated behind walls, beneath flooring, or into subfloor assemblies.
Our drying phase uses industrial air movers and refrigerant dehumidifiers sized to the affected area. We monitor drying progress with daily psychrometric readings and adjust equipment placement as moisture levels change. Documentation is maintained throughout for property owners who need to support insurance claims.
We handle residential properties including single-family homes, condos, and rental units, as well as commercial properties such as office buildings, retail spaces, and multi-unit residential buildings throughout Washington, DC and the surrounding area.
Residential
Basement flooding, kitchen or bathroom leaks, ice dam damage, and appliance failures.
Commercial
Sprinkler system discharge, pipe failures in multi-story buildings, and HVAC condensation damage.
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration
Comprehensive smoke residue removal, odor neutralization, and structural restoration following fire events in DC homes and businesses.
Fire damage restoration is a multi-phase process that goes well beyond removing charred material. Smoke residue and soot penetrate porous surfaces — drywall, wood framing, cabinetry, HVAC ducts, and personal belongings — and continue to cause damage and odor if not properly addressed. Acidic soot can permanently stain and corrode surfaces within hours if left untreated.
Our crews begin with a thorough damage assessment to determine which materials are restorable versus unsalvageable. We establish containment to prevent the spread of soot to unaffected areas of the building. Structural drying is performed if water was used in fire suppression.
Smoke residue removal requires matching the right cleaning method to each surface and soot type. Dry soot requires dry cleaning techniques; wet or oily smoke residues require chemical sponges and specialized cleaning agents. We clean ceilings, walls, and hard surfaces using HEPA-rated vacuums and appropriate chemical treatments.
Odor neutralization involves thermal fogging, hydroxyl generator treatment, or ozone application depending on the level and type of odor. Ductwork and HVAC systems are inspected and cleaned where smoke has penetrated. Affected structural components are removed and replaced as needed, with final reconstruction completed by our own crew.
Residential
Kitchen fires, electrical fires, and smoke damage from adjacent units.
Commercial
Office and retail fire damage, industrial odor remediation, and large-scale content restoration.
Mold Remediation
Containment, safe removal, and post-remediation verification to eliminate mold from DC properties and prevent recurrence.
Mold develops wherever moisture and organic material coexist without adequate airflow. In Washington, DC's humid climate, properties that have experienced water damage, chronic condensation, or inadequate ventilation are particularly susceptible. Mold can spread rapidly through wall cavities, attics, crawl spaces, and HVAC systems.
Fort Totten Restoration follows IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation and EPA guidelines for mold in buildings. Our process begins with a visual assessment and moisture investigation to identify the source driving mold growth. Addressing the moisture source is a prerequisite — remediation without moisture control is temporary at best.
Containment using polyethylene sheeting and negative air pressure prevents mold spores from spreading to clean areas during removal. Our crews wear appropriate personal protective equipment throughout the remediation process. Affected porous materials — drywall, insulation, and wood framing that cannot be cleaned — are removed, bagged, and disposed of in compliance with applicable guidelines.
Non-porous surfaces are HEPA-vacuumed, wiped with EPA-registered biocidal cleaners, and treated with antimicrobial solutions where appropriate. Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration run throughout the remediation and clearance phases to capture airborne spores. Post-remediation verification is conducted to confirm that visible mold has been eliminated before containment is removed.
Residential
Basement mold, bathroom and crawl space remediation, and post-flood mold treatment.
Commercial
Large-scale building remediation, HVAC contamination, and multi-unit housing mold control.
Storm Damage Repair
Emergency stabilization and full repair for properties damaged by wind, rain, hail, or flooding in Washington, DC.
Severe weather events in the Washington, DC area — including heavy rain, high winds, hail, and flash flooding — can cause roof damage, structural infiltration, and water intrusion that requires immediate attention. The longer a property sits with an open envelope after storm damage, the greater the potential for secondary water and mold damage.
Fort Totten Restoration provides emergency response to storm-damaged properties, beginning with protective boarding and tarping where needed to stop active water intrusion. Our crews conduct a full damage assessment to determine the scope of water infiltration and structural impact.
Water extraction, structural drying, and debris removal follow immediately. We address damaged roofing, siding, windows, and interior finishes through our own restoration crews, keeping the project under a single point of coordination rather than requiring property owners to manage multiple contractors.
We document all damage and restoration work in a format that supports insurance claim filing. Fort Totten Restoration is an independent contractor — we do not represent or work on behalf of any insurance company — and we work directly for the property owner throughout the process.
Residential
Roof damage, basement flooding, wind-driven rain infiltration.
Commercial
Flat roof failures, loading dock flooding, and large-footprint water intrusion.
Structural Drying
Industrial-grade drying systems and moisture monitoring to bring wet building assemblies back to safe moisture levels.
Structural drying is a technical discipline that goes beyond placing fans in a wet room. Moisture trapped in wall cavities, subfloors, ceiling assemblies, and concrete slabs requires targeted drying equipment positioned based on moisture mapping data, not guesswork.
Fort Totten Restoration uses industrial-grade desiccant and refrigerant dehumidifiers, high-velocity air movers, and in-wall drying systems to reach moisture in enclosed cavities without unnecessary demolition. Thermal imaging guides equipment placement and identifies areas that standard meters may miss.
Psychrometric calculations are performed daily to confirm that the drying system is achieving measurable progress. Drying logs are maintained for every project, documenting starting moisture conditions, daily readings, and final clearance values in line with IICRC S500 guidelines.
Residential
Post-flood drying, crawl space drying, and slab drying.
Commercial
Concrete slab drying, multi-story water migration, and occupied building drying protocols.
Content Restoration
Pack-out, cleaning, and storage of personal property and business contents affected by water, fire, or mold damage.
Property damage events affect more than the building itself. Furniture, documents, electronics, clothing, and personal belongings are often damaged by water, smoke, or mold. Content restoration is the process of inventorying, packing, cleaning, and storing affected items until the property is ready for their return.
Fort Totten Restoration provides content pack-out services to move belongings out of the affected area quickly, reducing secondary damage exposure. Items are inventoried with condition notes at the time of pack-out. Where practical, contents are cleaned using appropriate methods — ultrasonic cleaning, ozone treatment, dry cleaning, or wet cleaning depending on material type and damage.
Cleaned and dried contents are stored until the property restoration is complete. Final pack-back is coordinated with the property owner. A detailed inventory is provided throughout the process to support insurance documentation.
Residential
Household goods, documents, clothing, and furniture.
Commercial
Office equipment, inventory, and business records.
