Repairing Water Damage: An exploratory search may save on restoration costs

This month, we want to highlight a recent job that demonstrates how Mr. Handyman's approach to a project sets them apart from other local service providers.

Last week, a Fleming Island homeowner noticed wet carpet along a wall in a room next to the master bathroom shower. He did a little investigative work and found two loose tiles on the wall in the shower, with soft drywall behind those. An exploratory hole cut in the drywall of the adjoining room clearly identified water was at work in this wall, but it was not clear where the water was coming from. Multiple service providers priced the repair, each assuming a bad shower pan and full tear out of pan and tiled walls. Mr. Handyman was called in and we refused to price the whole job until the source of the water and extent of the damage was understood. The customer agreed to a careful demolition to assess scope of damage and source of water. Soon thereafter it was found that the shower diverter was leaking back in the wall and the damage was isolated to that wall, from the diverter down. The leak had developed recently, as no rotten wood was found and the overall scope of the repair was significantly smaller, and less expensive for the homeowner, than the full tear out suggested by others.

This is a common approach for Mr. Handyman and is a key distinction of our bathroom repair service. While we can and regularly do tear out and replace full bathtub and shower tile surrounds when required (or desired by the homeowner as a remodeling effort), we often recommend an exploratory approach to damage behind tiled walls, wet drywall , rotten siding and the like. With the full extent of the damage exposed, and the cause known, projects can then be properly estimated. Any service provider that comes into these situations and immediately recommends a full tear-out and replacement before understanding the extent and source of the damage is simply looking out for their financial well being and not that of the customer.

For those not yet familiar with Mr. Handyman , we are your one-call solution for most Home Repair, Home Improvement and Home Maintenance needs. Our goal is building long term customer relationships and we have established the following formula for earning customers trust and their continued business:

Quality - All staff are employees, have been background and drug screened, and have a minimum of 15 years of experience. We are a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ Rating.

Service - When you call Mr. Handyman you get a person, not a machine. We arrive on time prepared to complete the job, and cleanup when done. We are fully licensed and insured for your protection.

Convenience - We offer scheduled appointment times and are the one-call solution for most Home Repair, Home Improvement/Remodeling and Home Maintenance services.

Guaranteed - All work is guaranteed. If you're not satisfied, we're not done.

This simple formula has helped Mr. Handyman grow each of the last three years, even as the Jacksonville economy and home services industries, in general, have suffered through the great recession. You may visit our website at the link below to review customer testimonials, or call the office to discuss your specific needs.