Background

STOP Restoration Charlotte North received a call late on a Sunday evening from a homeowner dealing with an urgent situation. The day had started at 4:30 AM, when the homeowner awoke to the sound of running water. At first, she thought someone might have been using the shower at an unusual hour. Instead, when she stepped into the master bathroom, she found standing water around her feet. A toilet supply line had failed, and water had been flowing unchecked for hours.

She acted quickly, shutting off the valve behind the toilet to stop the flow. However, by the time the water was shut off, significant damage had already occurred.

The Challenge

The water intrusion originated from a second-floor bathroom and spread through multiple levels of the home. It moved from the bathroom into the main floor, down into the garage, and further into the finished basement’s game room, affecting a wide range of building materials and living spaces.

The homeowner needed help not only with mitigation, but also with navigating insurance procedures and ensuring compliance with all safety protocols. Because building materials in residential structures are often regulated, any intrusive work – such as demolition – requires asbestos clearance under OSHA standards (29 CFR 1926.1101 and 1910.1001).

Our Approach

STOP Restoration Charlotte North responded promptly to stabilize the affected areas and begin forming a comprehensive mitigation plan. As part of our immediate response:

We helped the homeowner initiate an insurance claim and guided them through documentation and next steps.

In compliance with OSHA requirements, we contacted one of our preferred Industrial Hygienists to conduct asbestos sampling before any disturbance of impacted materials could occur. Within 30 minutes, samples were collected and sent to the lab. Results were returned in under four hours, confirming no asbestos was present – clearing the way for mitigation work to proceed.

With an insurance claim number issued and asbestos testing complete, we proceeded with full mitigation efforts. Our team thoroughly documented each stage of the job, capturing detailed photographic evidence across all levels of the home to support the insurance claim.

Outcome

Our technicians worked efficiently to remove moisture, stabilize the structure, and ensure the environment was safe for the homeowners. The homeowner consistently praised our crew’s professionalism, respect for their home, and the quality of workmanship throughout the entire process.

Thanks to fast action, coordinated logistics, and expert execution, the homeowner avoided further damage and was able to move into the next phase of restoration with confidence.

Conclusion

This project reflects the strength of STOP Restoration Charlotte North’s approach to large residential water losses: rapid response, attention to detail, and thorough communication. From identifying the problem to clearing environmental requirements and assisting with insurance documentation, we delivered a complete solution tailored to the homeowner’s urgent needs – on a Sunday, without delay.