Frequently asked questions
How long does drying take? Do walls have to come out? Can insurance pay you directly? Do you repair pipes and roofs? Here are straight answers to the questions we hear most — emergencies, timelines, cost, insurance and service areas.
About Blue Arrow Restoration
What kind of company is Blue Arrow Restoration?
Blue Arrow Restoration & Development Corp. is a property damage restoration company. We handle water damage, flooding, sewage backups, burst pipes, fire and smoke, odor, mold and grow house remediation, and we repair leaking pipes and roofs.
Where are your offices and how do I reach you?
New York: 121 Dupont St, Plainview, NY 11803 — (917) 915-6118, [email protected]. Los Angeles: 4195 Chino Hills Pkwy #97, Chino Hills, CA 91709 — (855) 662-6753, [email protected].
What areas do you serve?
In New York: Nassau and Suffolk County and all five boroughs. In California: Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire and Orange County. See service areas.
Do you speak Chinese?
Yes. We communicate in English and Chinese, and can explain insurance paperwork in either language.
Emergencies
Is someone really available 24 hours a day?
Yes. Both offices answer 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
What should I do before you arrive?
Shut off the water, cut power to wet areas if it’s safe, photograph everything and move valuables to a dry place. See 24/7 emergency service for the full checklist.
The adjuster hasn’t come yet. Can you start work?
Yes. Your policy requires you to prevent further damage. We document the conditions before we start so the adjuster has a complete record.
Water damage and drying
How long does drying usually take?
About three to five days for most clean-water losses once equipment is set. Hardwood, concrete and plaster can take longer. We go by daily readings, not a set number of days.
Do the walls have to be opened?
Not always. Clean water in drywall can often be dried through small holes. Walls come open when insulation is saturated, mold is present or the water was contaminated.
Can’t I just dry it with fans?
Household fans dry surfaces, not the water inside walls and subfloors, and without dehumidification the moisture stays in the house. That’s how mold starts weeks after a leak “dried.”
Sewage came up from a drain. Can I clean it myself?
We don’t recommend it. Sewage is Category 3 black water that carries pathogens. See sewage cleanup.
Pipe and roof leaks
Besides drying, do you repair pipes?
Yes. We locate and repair leaking supply lines, fittings, heating pipes and water heater connections, and slab leaks in California, then restore the damage. Work that requires a licensed trade or permit is performed by appropriately licensed professionals.
Can you handle roof leaks too?
Yes — emergency tarping, shingle, tile and flashing repairs and drying of the ceilings below. See roof leak repair.
What if nobody can find where the leak is coming from?
That’s what leak detection is for: thermal imaging, moisture meters, pressure and acoustic testing to pinpoint the source before anything is opened.
Fire and mold
How soon after a fire should cleanup start?
As soon as the fire department clears the property. Soot can permanently stain surfaces within days, and firefighting water can lead to mold.
Can I wipe mold off with bleach?
Not on porous materials. Bleach lightens the stain but doesn’t remove growth inside drywall or wood, and adds moisture. See mold health risks.
Cost and insurance
How is the cost calculated? Can I get an estimate first?
Cost depends on the size of the affected area, the category of water, materials, equipment days and any rebuild. We explain the scope and pricing before work begins; for insured losses, the scope is documented for your carrier.
Can my insurance company pay you directly?
Yes, with your authorization. Your deductible and anything not covered remain your responsibility.
Is every leak covered by insurance?
No. Sudden and accidental leaks usually are; gradual seepage, flooding and sewer backups often aren’t without specific coverage. See Does insurance cover water damage?
Can I choose my own restoration company?
Generally yes. Your insurer may suggest preferred vendors, but you usually have the right to choose the company you trust.
Water, fire and mold don’t wait. Neither do we.
Every hour of standing water raises the cost of the repair. Call the office nearest you — a coordinator answers around the clock, dispatches a crew and can bill your insurance carrier directly.