From Holiday Bliss to Home Crisis: A Water Damage Nightmare
Every year, a few days before Thanksgiving, my family packs up, gets in the car, and drives to New Jersey to visit my sister and her family. This year was no different. The weather was perfect, the traffic was light, and we arrived the day before Thanksgiving, ready to spend time with family.
On Thanksgiving, we didn’t stay at my sister’s house; instead, we all went to Sarah’s home, a family friend, where we celebrated with her family and friends. It was a wonderful experience with good food, warm company, and laughter that made the holiday special.
The next day, November 29th, we had lunch with my sister and brother-in-law. We shared some last-minute conversations, hugged, said our goodbyes, and returned to Ohio. The drive home was smooth, just like the trip there—no snow, no heavy traffic. I wanted to ensure we returned at a decent hour because my wife and son both had to work early the following day.
We pulled into the driveway around 5:30 p.m. I backed in, opened the garage door, and walked through the back entrance into the kitchen, ready to start unloading our suitcases.
But the moment I opened the door, my body froze.
Water. Everywhere.
The kitchen floor was covered in about two inches of water. The ceiling had collapsed in several places, chunks of drywall hanging like broken bones, exposing wet, sagging insulation. My heart pounded as I stepped further in. The kitchen table was sitting in a shallow pool, its legs soaked. I turned toward the living room—our carpet was drenched, the desk warped and ruined. Everything looked like it had been drowning for hours.
I ran back to the car. When my wife stepped inside, she gasped. Her face drained of color, and for a moment, I thought she might collapse. Her hands flew to her mouth, and I could see the tears welling up, but she didn’t cry. Instead, like a machine, she turned and walked straight to the laundry room, grabbed a mop, and started cleaning.
We moved the kitchen table out of the way, and for the next two hours, she mopped, scooped, and pushed water out as best she could. I followed behind, trying to process what was happening, but my mind was numb.
Then we went upstairs.
The guest bathroom was just as bad—two inches of water covered the floor. The hallway carpet squished under our feet, completely soaked. It was as if the house had cried the entire time we were gone.
We stood there in silence, looking at the destruction around us. Neither of us could believe it. Nothing like this had ever happened to us before.
That night, we didn’t sleep. We spent hours drying wet carpets, dragging soaked belongings into piles, and trying to salvage whatever we could. But mostly, we wandered from room to room, lost in disbelief.
Because how do you even begin to fix something like this?
Water Damage Recovery: A Personal Story of Professional Restoration
The next day, my wife went to work, and when she got home, she shared some hopeful news. She had spoken with one of her clients, who highly recommended Drew from AdvantaClean of the West Side for our water damage emergency. Her client had experienced similar flooding issues and emphasized how Drew and his team had restored their home with expert care and diligence.
My wife and I discussed it that evening. I called Drew first thing Monday morning – a call that would transform our water damage nightmare into a manageable recovery process.
Drew, an ex-Marine with extensive flood damage restoration experience, immediately put me at ease when we connected over our shared military background (I’m also a Veteran). His company, AdvantaClean of the West Side, specializes in comprehensive water damage restoration, mold remediation, and moisture control – exactly what we desperately needed.
Drew’s emergency response was impressive—he arrived the same day I called to conduct a thorough water damage assessment. I had already contacted my insurance company and was assigned Steve as my adjuster, who instructed me to find a qualified water restoration company and have them call him.
After Drew professionally communicated with the adjuster, he immediately scheduled his water damage specialists to begin work the following morning. Paul and Seth, Drew’s highly trained technicians, arrived promptly at 8:30 AM every day for three weeks, working diligently until 5:00 PM on our home restoration project. Their commitment to finding the water source and addressing all moisture-affected areas was remarkable.
These water damage professionals worked meticulously, sometimes bringing additional staff when they needed to remove water-damaged ceilings, walls, and bathroom fixtures. Drew ensured detailed documentation throughout the process, capturing photos of the water damage progression, which he would promptly share with our insurance adjuster, along with their findings and remediation plan.
The extensive restoration process lasted just over three weeks. We relocated everything from our living room, dining area, kitchen, and upstairs bathroom. While our home temporarily became chaotic, with boxes filling the basement and bedrooms, Drew’s team took careful measures to minimize dust contamination during the demolition of water-damaged materials.
In the upstairs bathroom, where the water damage originated, they discovered significant mold growth behind the walls that had spread to the adjacent bathroom. The water-saturated carpeting throughout the hallway required complete removal. Downstairs, our living room carpet was soaked through and had to be torn up. At the same time, the dining area flooring was submerged, causing severe buckling that prevented basement access. After Drew had consulted with the adjuster, they received authorization to remove the kitchen floor as part of the water damage restoration plan
Each evening before leaving, Drew’s crew installed plastic barriers downstairs to contain dust and set up industrial-grade water damage drying equipment to extract moisture from wall interiors and wet floors overnight. The team thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized all affected areas, demonstrating Drew’s commitment to providing immediate flood cleanup and permanent water damage solutions to prevent future issues.What started as a devastating disaster ended as a successful restoration, thanks entirely to Drew’s expertise, professionalism, and dedication. His military precision and diligence transformed our flooded home into a safe, clean-living space. When water damage strikes, having a trusted professional like Drew can make all the difference between prolonged suffering and swift recovery.
If you ever face water damage issues and need a true restoration hero, I can’t recommend Drew highly enough. He can be reached directly 24-7 at 440-568-0300.
He is based in North Olmstead and works in Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Berea, Brookpark, Cleveland, Columbia Station, Grafton, Lagrange, Lakewood, North Olmsted, North Ridgeville, Olmsted Falls, Rocky River, Valley City, and Westlake.
Drew, Thank You!
From Disaster to Restoration: A Tale of Trust and Dedication
When water damage turned our home into a disaster zone, Drew’s heroic efforts began our recovery. His recommendation of Tony from House Doctors was another stroke of good fortune, bringing us a second team of dedicated professionals who worked tirelessly to restore our home.
This experience reinforced a belief I’ve always held: The hardest thing to find is someone you can trust. Thanks to Drew, we found not just one but two teams we could rely on. Once Drew’s job was done, Tony and his crew stepped in, working for over five weeks with discipline and attention to detail. Their dedication turned a stressful time into a story of resilience and great results.
In a world where dependable service is hard to find, Drew, Tony, and the House Doctors team proved that true professionals still exist. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for restoring our home and our faith in hardworking, trustworthy people
Though we still need to organize and return things to where they belong, the hardest part is behind us. This journey has been a reminder that even in tough times, the right people can make all the difference.
Though we still need to organize and return things to where they belong, the hardest part is behind us. This journey has been a reminder that even in tough times, the right people can make all the difference.
Lessons Learned from a Water Damage Emergency
This experience taught us just how vulnerable homes are to water-related disasters. A burst pipe, a leaky appliance, or even a sudden flood can cause catastrophic damage in hours.
If you ever face water damage in your home, here are a few critical steps to take immediately:
- Turn Off the Water Source: If possible, locate the main water shut-off valve to stop the flow of water.
- Document the Damage: Take photos and videos of the affected areas for insurance purposes.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: File a claim as soon as possible and understand your coverage for water damage restoration.
- Call a Water Damage Restoration Professional: Experts can assess the damage, prevent mold growth, and begin the restoration process efficiently.
Water damage can turn your home from a haven into a disaster zone in mere hours. We’re still navigating the aftermath, but one thing is certain: Thanksgiving will be unforgettable—not because of the holiday joy but because of the lessons learned in the face of a home crisis.