Contents Restoration for Damaged Belongings
The structure is replaceable. Most of what people actually grieve after a loss is the contents.
Insurance will pay to replace a sofa. It will not replace your grandmother's photographs, the kids' artwork, or the paperwork you need to file the claim in the first place. Contents restoration exists because a large share of what matters in a damaged home is worth more than its replacement cost.
Cleaning belongings is a different discipline from cleaning a building. Soot on upholstery needs a different approach from soot on a painted wall. Water-damaged documents cannot be air dried without the pages fusing. Electronics that got wet may be recoverable if the corrosion is addressed before power is reapplied, and unrecoverable if someone tries to switch them on first.
We inventory and photograph items as they are handled, which serves two purposes: you know where your belongings are, and the documentation supports the contents portion of your claim. Items that need off-site work are packed out and returned when the property is ready.
We are also straightforward about what cannot be saved. Some items are beyond recovery, and telling you that early is more useful than an expensive attempt that fails and delays the claim.
What can usually be recovered
Photographs and documents
Specialised drying can recover paper items that would be destroyed by air drying, where pages fuse and ink runs. Speed matters most here.
Furniture and upholstery
Hard furniture cleans up well. Upholstery depends on the water category - clean water is often recoverable, contaminated water usually is not.
Clothing and textiles
Smoke-damaged fabric responds well to ozone treatment and specialised laundering that removes odour rather than masking it.
Electronics
Often recoverable if handled before corrosion sets in. The single biggest cause of permanent failure is someone powering the device on to test it.
Real contents restoration projects
What contents restoration includes
- Room-by-room inventory with photographic documentation for your claim
- Pack-out and secure off-site storage while the property is being restored
- Specialised cleaning for upholstery, textiles, and soft furnishings
- Document and photograph recovery, including freeze drying for water-damaged paper
- Electronics assessment and corrosion treatment
- Ozone and hydroxyl treatment for smoke odour in fabrics and soft goods
- Hard contents cleaning for furniture, kitchenware, and household items
- Return delivery and placement once the property is ready
Contents Restoration across Utah
We run contents restoration out of two Utah offices - West Valley City for the Salt Lake Valley and Hurricane for the south of the state.
Contents Restoration questions
What Utah property owners ask us most about contents restoration.
Can water-damaged photographs be saved?
Often, if they are handled quickly and correctly. Do not try to separate stuck-together photographs while they are wet - that destroys the emulsion. Keep them wet and cool, or freeze them, and get them to us. Freezing buys time and stops further deterioration until proper drying can be done.
What happens to my belongings during the rebuild?
Anything at risk during construction is inventoried, photographed, packed out, and stored in our secure facility. Items needing cleaning are treated while in storage, and everything is returned and placed once reconstruction is finished and the space is ready.
Is contents restoration covered by my policy?
Most homeowners policies include personal property coverage separate from the structural limit. Insurers generally prefer restoration over replacement where it is cheaper, which it usually is. Our inventory and documentation is built to support that portion of the claim.
Still have a question? Contact us or call (801) 886-1740.
Other services
Water Damage Restoration
Burst pipes, leaks, and flood damage restoration
Flood and Leak Cleanup
Basement flooding and structural drying
Fire Damage Repair
Smoke, soot, and fire damage cleanup
Mold Remediation
Professional mold removal and structural drying
Sewage Cleanup
Biohazard and sewage backup cleanup
Reconstruction Services
Complete structural repair and rebuilding
Water Damage Gets Worse Every Minute
Don't wait. Call now for immediate emergency response. Our team can be there within 60 minutes.