Contents Restoration Glossary

Cleaning, deodorizing and restoring damaged belongings instead of replacing them. See how contents restoration works.

Inventorying, packing and moving belongings out of a damaged property so they can be cleaned and stored and repairs can begin. See contents pack-out services.

Returning restored belongings to the property once repairs are finished, including unpacking and placing them. See how pack-back works.

An itemized, photographed record of contents made at pack-out, used to track every item and support the insurance claim. See photo inventory.

An item that cannot be cleaned or restored safely or economically. Non-restorables are documented so they can be valued and replaced on the claim. See non-restorable items explained.

When an item, or a whole property, is not worth restoring and is paid out instead.

The person who manages an insurance claim for the insurer: confirming coverage, approving work and settling the claim. See our information for adjusters.

Coverage in many home policies for the extra costs of living elsewhere while your home is repaired, such as a hotel and meals.

The forming and collapsing of microscopic bubbles that does the cleaning in an ultrasonic tank.

Equipment that produces hydroxyl radicals to break down odour molecules. It can be used in occupied spaces.

Deodorizing with ozone gas, which breaks down odour quickly but requires the space to be empty and aired out afterwards.

Releasing a fine deodorizing or disinfecting mist that reaches the same places smoke did. Halo and TOMI SteraMist™ are the fogging systems we use. See fogging services.

Fine carbon particles left by smoke. Dry soot comes from hot, fast fires; oily soot from smouldering fires and burning plastics is harder to clean.

Removing harmful contaminants such as bacteria from sewer water, mould or chemical residues. See deodorization and decontamination.

Drying frozen wet documents or books under vacuum so the ice turns straight to vapour, which limits warping and sticking. See document restoration.

Our low-temperature, high-volume updraft drying system for drying and deodorizing electronics without saturating them in water. See electronics restoration.

Wastewater backing up into a home through floor drains or fixtures. It is Category 3 water and is usually covered only with a specific endorsement on your policy.

Water entering a home from the surface, such as river flooding or heavy rain runoff. In Canada it is usually optional coverage.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which sets industry standards and certifies technicians.

The IICRC standards for water damage restoration (S500) and for fire and smoke damage restoration (S700).

IICRC technician certifications: Contents Processing Technician, Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician, Water Damage Restoration Technician and Odor Control Technician. Our leadership team holds all four.

The standard for cleaning and inspecting firefighting protective gear. Our general manager is NFPA 1851 Advanced Cleaning and Inspection certified.

The Restoration Industry Association, a trade association for restoration professionals.