Restoration Guides for Orlando Homeowners
Guides from Central Florida Disaster Recovery, an Orlando restoration referral service. Owner Ryan Solberg matches callers with a restoration company.
Brevard Flood, November 2026: What to Do Now
Southern Brevard took up to 23.6 inches of rain on Nov. 1-2, 2026. What flooded homeowners should do this week, what insurance covers, and what cleanup involves.
Storm Roof Leak: Tarp, Document, and Florida's Rules
A storm leaked through your Florida roof. What temporary protection means for a claim, the 25% roof rule as it reads now, and the claim notice deadline.
What to Keep and Toss After Water or Flood Damage
Which belongings to keep and which to throw away after water or flood damage, per CDC, EPA, FDA and FEMA, and how to photograph items for your claim.
Selling a Florida Home With Water Damage or Mold
What Florida sellers must disclose about past water damage or mold, which records to keep, and what buyers should ask. Not legal advice.
Realtors and Agents: Handing a Client to CFDR
How a realtor or insurance agent can connect a client with water, fire or mold damage to CFDR, what to send Ryan, and what CFDR does and does not do.
Condo Board Water Loss: The First 48 Hours in Florida
For Florida condominium boards and managers: who repairs what after a water loss under ch. 718, what to document, and how to get drying started.
How to Read a Restoration Estimate Before You Sign
A checklist for reading a water or fire restoration estimate line by line, plus the Florida rules on deposits and assignment of benefits.
Flooded Home Safety: Power, Gas and CO First
Before anyone dries a flooded home: when to call 911, wet electrical and gas hazards, and how to run a generator without carbon monoxide.
Plumber or Restoration Company: Who First?
Burst pipe or leak: who do you call first? A plumber and a restoration company solve two halves of the same problem.
Is It Safe to Stay in a House With Smoke Damage?
Smoke damage is more than a smell — soot and toxic residue are a real health hazard. Here's when it's safe to stay in a smoke-damaged home, when to leave, and what to do next.
Mold-Resistant Building Materials for Florida Homes
Florida's climate makes standard building materials a liability. Here are the mold-resistant upgrades worth making — especially when you're already rebuilding after water damage.
Mitigation vs. Remediation vs. Restoration
Adjusters use these terms constantly. What mitigation, remediation and restoration mean, and how the difference can affect your claim.
Best Flooring Options After Water Damage in Florida
Florida humidity means original flooring rarely survives water damage intact. What holds up in Central Florida homes and what insurance may pay for.
Crawlspace Water Damage & Moisture in Florida Homes
Crawlspace moisture is a silent threat in older Central Florida homes. It drives mold, wood rot, structural damage, and pest infestation — often for years before a homeowner knows it is happening.
Rental Property Insurance in Central Florida: Coverage Guide for Investors
The complete guide to landlord insurance, coverage gaps, riders you need, and how to optimize your policy for investment property protection.
Professional vs. DIY Water Damage Cleanup: Why DIY Usually Costs More
It feels natural to grab fans and towels and get to work after a water leak. But in Florida's climate, DIY water damage cleanup that leaves materials wet can turn a smaller problem into a larger one. Here is the honest breakdown.
Property Preservation During Disaster: A Real Estate Investor's Guide
How property damage affects real estate value, why rapid mitigation matters financially, and how savvy investors minimize loss and maintain asset value.
Refrigerator Leak Water Damage: Ice Maker Lines & What to Do in Florida
Refrigerator water line and ice maker leaks are among the most common — and most overlooked — sources of hidden water damage in Central Florida homes. Here is what to do when you find one.
Mold Remediation in Kissimmee, FL: Licensing Rules and Next Steps
Kissimmee's heat, humidity, and proximity to Florida's lake country make it one of the highest-risk areas for mold in Central Florida. CFDR is a referral service that connects Osceola County homeowners with local restoration companies.
Commercial Real Estate Investment Basics: Central Florida Edition
A practical guide to understanding cap rates, NOI, cash-on-cash returns, and deal evaluation for investors considering commercial property in Central Florida.
Water Damage Restoration in Altamonte Springs, FL
Altamonte Springs sits in one of Seminole County's most active storm corridors. When water gets into your home, call CFDR and Ryan matches you with a local restoration company.
Water Damage Restoration in Winter Park, FL: Who to Call
Winter Park's mature tree canopy, historic homes, and proximity to local lakes create real water damage risks. Call Ryan and he matches you with a restoration company from CFDR's network; ask its arrival time before you agree to anything.
Does Insurance Cover Sewage Backup in Florida?
Most Florida homeowners don't know their policy doesn't cover sewage backup. Here's the coverage gap and what to do about it.
Soot Damage After a Fire: Clean or Replace?
Soot damages surfaces within hours of a fire. Soot types, what can be professionally cleaned, what must be replaced, and why speed matters.
12 Tips for a Successful Water Damage Insurance Claim in Florida
How to document a water damage loss properly and avoid common claim mistakes, with Florida's claim deadlines linked to the statute.
How to Remove Smoke Smell From Your Home After a Fire
Smoke odor is hard to remove: air fresheners and paint will not fix it. What works, what does not, and when to call a professional.
How to Prevent Mold in Your Florida Home Year-Round
Florida's heat and humidity make every home a mold risk. Here's a practical prevention guide for homeowners in Orlando and Central Florida.
Fire Damage Restoration Cost in Orlando (2026 Price Guide)
From a minor kitchen fire to a major house fire, restoration costs in Orlando vary dramatically. Here is what drives the price, and how insurance fits in.
What Hurricane Ian Taught Florida Homeowners About Disaster Preparedness
Here are the key lessons every Central Florida homeowner should apply before the next storm.
Orlando Flood Zones Explained: Is Your Home at Risk?
FEMA flood zone maps determine your flood risk, insurance requirements, and property value. Here's how to find your zone and what it means for Central Florida homeowners.
Dishwasher Leak or Overflow: How to Handle the Water Damage
A dishwasher that leaks under the flooring can cause thousands in hidden damage. Here's how to respond, what's covered by insurance, and when to call a pro.
Mold Inspection in Orlando: What to Expect and When You Need One
Not all mold inspections are the same. Here's what a proper mold inspection involves, when you legally need one in Florida, and red flags to watch for.
Insurance Denied Your Water Damage Claim in Florida? Here's What to Do
Florida insurers deny water damage claims for specific reasons — and most are contestable. Here's what to do after a denial and what documentation you need.
Rental Property Water Damage: Landlord Guide
When a rental property floods, landlords face unique challenges — tenant displacement, insurance complexity, and fast timelines. Here's what to do.
Water Heater Leak? What Florida Owners Do Now
A failed water heater can flood a room before you notice. The immediate response plan and what insurance may cover.
Washing Machine Water Damage in Florida: What to Do When It Overflows
Washing machine failures are one of the most common causes of water damage in Florida homes. Here's exactly what to do when yours leaks, overflows, or has a hose blow.
Ceiling Leaking Water? What It Means and What to Do First
Water stains or active drips from the ceiling signal hidden damage. Here's how to identify the source, stop ongoing damage, and know when to call a pro.
Central Florida Rainy Season Prep Checklist
Florida's rainy season brings daily storms and flooding risk. How to prepare your home before the first storm.
How to Prevent Mold After Water Damage (Florida Homeowner Guide)
Mold can grow within 24 hours after water damage in Florida's humidity. Here's exactly what to do — and not do — to prevent it from taking hold.
Toilet Overflow Water Damage: What to Do in the First Hour
A toilet overflow can soak subfloors and spread contaminated water in minutes. Here's the exact response plan to minimize damage and stay safe.
Apartment Water Damage in Florida: What to Do
Florida tenants have legal rights when a landlord does not address water damage. What renters should know. Not legal advice.
Central Florida Summer Prep Checklist: Get Your Home Ready Before Hurricane Season
May is the last month to get your home and family ready before Florida's June 1 hurricane season start. This is your complete checklist for Central Florida homeowners.
When the Insurance Adjuster Visits: What to Do
How to document water damage for the adjuster's visit, and your options if you disagree with the offer.
Water-Damaged Drywall: Dry It or Replace It?
Not all water-damaged drywall must be replaced, but some must. How professionals decide, and what happens if the call is wrong.
Burst Pipe? Do These 6 Things Right Now
A burst pipe moves fast. The first steps to take in the first 30 minutes to limit damage and protect your insurance claim.
Black Mold in Florida Homes: Risks and Steps
Black mold in Florida: health symptoms, when to worry, and why licensed assessment and removal matter.
Water Damage vs. Flood Damage: Insurance in FL
In Florida, water damage and flood damage can mean the difference between your homeowners policy responding and needing flood insurance.
Sewage Backup in Your Orlando Home: What to Do Immediately
Sewage backup is a health emergency. Here's the exact step-by-step process for handling sewage backup safely — and what not to do that could make it worse.
How to Avoid Restoration Scams in Florida
Storm chasers and unlicensed contractors target homeowners after disasters. How to protect yourself and check a restoration company in Florida.
How Long Does Mold Remediation Take?
Found mold in your Orlando home? How long remediation takes by scope, and why assessment and removal are separate steps in Florida.
Signs of Hidden Mold in Your Home (Orlando Edition)
Florida's humidity makes every home a potential mold risk. Learn the 7 warning signs that mold is growing behind your walls before it becomes a major problem.
What To Do in the First 24 Hours After Water Damage
The actions you take in the first 24 hours after water damage can dramatically affect your insurance payout and total repair costs. Here's exactly what to do.
Have a Damage Emergency Right Now?
Active loss? Call. Don't fill in a form.