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What Is Subrogation? And how it matters to you.

Subrogation refers to the process an insurance company uses to seek reimbursement from the responsible party for a claim it has already paid.

Subrogation matters to you if:

  • You have a covered loss, and
  • You submit a claim to your insurance company, but
  • Another party is actually responsible for all or part of the damages (i.e. you have a car accident and the other driver caused the accident, or if damage to your home was caused by a faulty appliance)

In this case, your insurance company may pay your claim, and then seek reimbursement from the other party. This would depend on the circumstances surrounding the loss, the laws in your state, and your policy provisions.

If your company decides to pursue subrogation, the company will work to recover the damages from the responsible party. Damages may involve costs paid by you and the insurance company. Costs paid by you usually means your deductible, but could include amounts over your policy limits not paid by your insurance company. This would depend on the laws in your state and the specific circumstances surrounding the loss.

The subrogation process may also be used if you are at fault for damages. In this case, the other party and/or their insurance company would make a claim against you, usually directly to your insurance company. Your company will review the facts of investigation to determine if you are liable for the damages. Your company may make payment to the other company if you have coverage and it is determined that you would be legally responsible for all or part of the damages. Keep in mind that often times liability is not clear cut. In some cases, both parties may be partially responsible. Dependent on the laws in your state, both parties may share responsibility for payment of damages. For example, one party may be 40% responsible, and the other party may be 60% responsible. This could mean that both companies make subrogation claims against each other, and each company pays their respective portion of the other party’s claim.

In all cases, your participation and cooperation with us in the investigation phase of the claim process is important. Your assistance can help to establish important facts, and preserve evidence, and may help to accelerate the recovery process.

Reimbursement When Money is Recovered

If money is recovered, and part of the recovered amount was paid by you, (you paid your deductible, for example, but it was the other party’s fault) a reimbursement check will be issued. The reimbursement check is usually issued when money is received. Please note that practices vary based on the specific laws for your state.

The amount to be reimbursed is based on the amount claimed and the amount recovered. The amount claimed through subrogation depends on the amount each party was at fault. The amount recovered usually is divided proportionally between the insurance company and the insured, after expenses. This could vary based on the laws in your state.

 How Reimbursement Amounts are Calculated

Dependent on the laws in your state, you may be fully reimbursed for your deductible if:

  • The other party was 100% at fault
  • The other party paid the damages claimed in full
  • There were no collection expenses (i.e. collection agency) to recover the money.

 Often times though, it is not that simple. Based on the different factors that come into play, the calculation of the reimbursement amount can become quite complicated. The reimbursement of your deductible depends on several factors, including the amount recovered, the amount claimed (based on the amount the various parties were at fault), and state laws.

Generally, you would receive reimbursement of your deductible equal to your proportion of the total amount claimed to the total amount recovered, net of expenses. However, precisely how the reimbursement amount is determined varies by state.

These examples outline general rules that apply in many states—please discuss the specifics of your case with your subrogation claim representative.

 Example 1: Other party is 100% liable, but only paid part of the amount

The total amount of damages paid is $10,000. The other party was 100% responsible for the damages. Subrogation claim is for $10,000.

  • You paid $1,000 and your insurance company paid $9,000.
  • Your proportion is 1/10 or 10% of the total amount claimed—$1,000.
  • The amount actually collected is $5,000. There were no collection expenses.
  • You are reimbursed for $500, or 10% of the amount collected.
  • Your insurance company is reimbursed for $4,500.

 Example 2: Other party is partially liable; only paid part of the amount

The total amount of damages paid is $1000. The other party was 60% responsible for the damages. Subrogation claim is for $6,000.

  • You paid $1,000 and your insurance company paid $9,000.
  • Your proportion is 1/10 or 10% of the total amount claimed—$600.
  • The amount actually collected is $3,000. There were no collection expenses.
  • You are reimbursed for $300, or 10% of the amount collected.
  • Your insurance company is reimbursed for $2,700.

 Questions? Your Claims Representative Can Help.

Subrogation can be complex and non-intuitive. If you have questions, please let your claims representative know.

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Royal Water Damage is an IICRC Certified Firm

IICRC Certified Firm

Royal Water Damage – IICRC Certified Firm

IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the cleantrust logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:

  • Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
  • Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
  • Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
  • Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
  • Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC actively has relationships with fiber producers, carpet and fabric mills, furnishing manufacturers and retailers, and others affiliated with the industry. The use of cleantrust  service professionals is specified in leading manufacturers’ maintenance brochures and warranties.

When it comes to cleaning, restoration and inspection, the IICRC writes the books

As an ANSI-accredited standard-development organization, the IICRC has led the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation.

Each IICRC standard takes years to develop and the coordination of several experts in the field, including allied tradespersons; manufacturers; international, national and regional trade associations; individual or franchise professionals; cleaning, inspection and restoration industry organizations; insurance industry; training schools; contractors; and public health professionals.

These standards are reviewed and updated at least every five years. Many of these fields, such as the water damage restoration field, change rapidly and those who are certified keep up with the advancement of the science and generally accepted practices of the industry.

The IICRC helps keep homes and businesses healthful

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends 90 percent or more of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants may be two to five times (and occasionally more than 100 times) higher than outdoor levels.

This makes it extremely important to perform regular maintenance inside your home or business. In addition to vacuuming, cleaning and checking for water damage on a regular basis, using a certified technician for cleaning will help extend the life of your flooring and upholstery and ensure that your home or business is healthful for those who live and work there.

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3 Ways to Help Prevent Water Damage in Your Home or Business

A pipe bursts, a hose blows or a steady drip goes unnoticed for months. Whatever causes a leak, it usually results in a messy, costly problem. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety reports the average cost of a plumbing failure is more than $5,000 after the insurance deductible was paid.

A leak detection device can be your first line of defense against water damage in your home. Here’s a look at what’s available:

  • Passive systems are alarm-only detectors. They are relatively inexpensive and should be placed near appliances and fixtures that use water, in the basement and in other areas where you may have a concern about leaks. The units emit a loud noise or whistle when a leak is detected. Typically battery-powered, they are portable and require no hard wiring, so they’re ideal for do-it-yourselfers.
  • Appliance leak detectors are connected to specific appliances that could leak, such as a washing machine or a refrigerator with a water dispenser. These detectors also issue an alarm, but because they turn off the water to the appliance when a leak is detected they are considered “active” leak detection systems. Some appliance leak detectors can be installed by a homeowner; others may require professional plumbing assistance for best results.
  • Whole-house leak detection systems provide widespread protection. A shut-off valve is installed on the main water line; the system’s primary unit is typically hard-wired to an electrical source to power the valve. When a leak is detected, the sensors transmit an alert to the main unit, which shuts off the water to the entire house. Moisture-sensing technologies for these systems vary by manufacturer and generally are either internal components of the shut off valve or external moisture sensors that are installed at all appliances and fixtures where leaks can occur. Sophisticated systems can be connected to a home security or fire alarm system, and can be programmed to send an electronic message about the leak to you or a security company. Plumber contractors often install whole-house systems.

In addition to installing leak detection devices, homeowners should stay on the lookout for potential water problems around the home.

  • Pay attention to damp or discolored areas under sinks or near refrigerators, and around bathroom fixtures. 
  • Look for rust on the exterior or base of a water heater.
  • Replace hoses on the washing machine every 3-5 years as part of a proactive maintenance plan.
  • Investigate musty smells in the basement or near water fixtures.
  • Clean and test your sump pump periodically.
  • If a leak is discovered, have it repaired immediately.

    If you suspect a problem, consider having a plumber check your pipes, fittings and water pressure.

If you do incur water damage be sure to call us for a FREE Estimate and Evaluation at 215-657-2244.

 

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Wall Street Journal guide to homeowners insurance

(Photo credit: Thinkstock)

Royal Water Damage Restoration 215-657-2244

Homeowners insurance protects your home, its contents, and, indirectly, your other assets in the event of fires, theft, accidents or other disasters.

A standard homeowners policy (known as an HO-3 policy) will protect you from things like fires and fallen trees. Notice how we didn’t mention floods or earthquakes—those events are specifically not covered by a standard policy and require additional coverage. Homeowners in some areas of the country may be required by their mortgage company to carry these kinds of policies.

A standard policy will also protect your possessions from said disasters as well as theft. But a standard policy is not a blank check: There’s a limit to how much you’ll be compensated. If you have specific items of value, such as jewelry or artwork, you can pay a little extra each year to insure them for their full replacement value.

Now, if someone is on your property and slips and falls and sprains his ankle, he might sue you for his medical expenses. Homeowners insurance covers your liabilities in this situation as well. And like the examples mentioned above, you can pay more for extra coverage. Homeowners insurance isn’t required by law, like auto insurance. But mortgage companies usually require you to obtain a policy before they’ll give you a loan.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

Your home insurance policy should cover enough to entirely rebuild and furnish your home were it wiped off the map. Ask a home builder to walk through your home and give you an estimate of what it would take to rebuild; that figure should be the basis for how much replacement coverage you’ll need. Be sure to point out any unique and/or expensive details that would add to the replacement cost.

Once you’ve determined the replacement cost of your home, you’ll need to know what kind of coverage you want. There are a few key terms here:

Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage. This means that the insurer will pay for the rebuilding of your home no matter the cost. These policies are hard to find these days.

Extended Replacement Coverage Many insurers offer coverage that caps the payout at around 125% of your home’s insured value.

Inflation Guarantee (or Guard). This feature makes sure that your home’s insured value stays current with the marketplace.

If you get a reliable appraisal, extended replacement coverage and an inflation guarantee, you should be in good shape. The appraisal provides a realistic starting figure and the inflation guarantee makes sure that your home’s price stays current. The 125% coverage means that, even if construction prices outpace inflation, they probably didn’t outpace it by 25%, so you should have enough money for whatever work you need done.

One last thing: The law requires you to have flood insurance if you live in an officially recognized high-risk area. To find out your flood risk and to find plans (which are offered by the government), go to floodsmart.gov.

When it comes to protecting your possessions, you may want more coverage than your standard policy allows. If you have anything of exceptional value (a family heirloom, a piece of art, jewelry, etc.), you should insure it separately. Insurers will charge extra for this coverage (something like an extra $10 on your monthly premium per $1,000 of value insured), but it pays to be covered.

Also keep in mind that there are two different kinds of coverage when it comes to personal articles. There’s “actual cash value” and there’s “replacement cost.” You want coverage for replacement cost. “Actual cash value” is what you’d get if you sold your valuable today — a lower amount than what you initially paid. “Replacement cost” pays you the amount of money you’d need to buy a brand-new item to replace your old one.

Liability Coverage

Say a guest stays at your home and slips on the floor and sprains his ankle. He decides to sue you. Your homeowners policy includes liability coverage in case you lose the court case. Generally speaking, standard policies offer $100,000 to $300,000 of liability coverage.

Supplemental liability coverage can boost your protection to $1 million or more. If you don’t own a car, adding that kind of coverage can be relatively cheap—less than $100 per year—and isn’t a bad idea. If you do own a car (putting you at greater risk for causing damage to people and property), expect to pay $300 to $400 a year. Check out your auto policy to see what kind of coverage you already have.

Shopping for a Homeowners Policy

There are three kinds of home insurance companies and salespeople:

Direct sellers, who sell directly to consumers (GEICO, Progressive and USAA fall into this category).

Captive agents, who only sell one company’s insurance products (for example, State Farm and Allstate agents).

Independent insurance agents, who sell policies from many different companies.

It’s possible that all of these groups will deny your insurance application for anything from the risky pool of alligators in your backyard or the tornado that runs through your property every year. Don’t despair. Many states have state-sponsored insurance programs for the hard-to-insure. Search for your state’s FAIR (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements) plan if you’re having a tough time with the traditional insurers.

Your Deductible

Like auto or health insurance, your homeowners insurance has a deductible (the amount you must pay before coverage kicks in). Like those other policies, you should opt for the highest deductible you can afford. If you do, the cost of your insurance premium (the monthly bill you pay) will surely be lower. Plus, a low deductible forces your insurer to cover more of your costs — costs they pass on to you in the form of increased premiums.

Remember: You should not use insurance to cover every conceivable expense, just the big ones. If reinstalling a gutter will cost you $200, pay the $200 — don’t start filing claims for it. Insurers hate it when you file too many claims, and may raise your monthly premium or even cancel coverage because they’ll view you as too risky. It’s not about gutters—you want the insurance when you have to pay for a whole new roof.

A good rule of thumb to follow: If you can fix anything for less than $1,000, don’t file a claim

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Mold Growth from Water Damage or Flooding

Water damage mold is a type of fungus that produces a growth of damp or decaying organic matter on the surfaces where a lot of moisture tends to be present.

Although mold is a natural substance and water damage mold and is not the greatest of diseases to be felt by the human beings, the fungus might cause some serious problems like irritation to lungs and eyes, allergies, asthma attacks and sinus congestion. If a house has water damage it takes as little as 24-48 hours for mold to develop in those places. In the household, water damage mold tends to be prevalent where there is enough moisture present for the fungus to feed on. The most vulnerable place for water damage mold to grow is bathrooms which are not hygienically maintained and it can also be hidden under carpets or floor tiles which are generally not cleaned regularly.

When your basement gives you musty smell and walls are decolorized that is when you confirm that you have water damage mold in your house. Restoration must be quickly adopted in order that the mold does not cause considerable health hazards. There are a number of things you must take care of if you have this growing around you. The first thing to do before you contact Royal Water Damage is to open your doors and windows so that clean air can get through your house so that the moist condition on which the mold lives will be reduced. Dry up all the house hold blankets and carpets with dehumidifiers.

Water damage mold can be cleaned by relatively simple techniques which can be performed by you. But you have to take suitable precautions like wearing gloves and goggles if you are removing it with your hands. These precautions protect you against harmful mold which are in their advanced stages of growth. A thorough cleaning with Lysol soap solution and water would take care of any mold in household carpets. The floor then has to be painted with an oil paint so that further mold does not accumulate over there.

Besides these there is also dry wall water damage mold which can be reduced by cutting away the dry wall where the mold is suspected to be present. This needs to be followed by cleaning up of any mold seen on the wooden boards by using soap and water. There are a lot of other ways to control water damage mold. A physician’s examination for such water damage mold can also be of great use as a final measure of safety against the spread of any disease.

Call Royal Water Damage for a NO Obligation – FREE Estimate.  215-657-2244

 

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Cost of Water Damage Repair and Restoration, Water Extraction and Flood Cleanup: Pay or File a Claim?

www.royalwaterdamage.com

How do I know the true cost of water extraction, flood water cleanup, damage repair, or even file a claim? How would I know what proper tools to get the work completed on my own? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you go to the hardware store or even have your neighbor come to do the flood cleanup for you at a discounted rate.

Q: Do you know if the claim is covered?

A:  Coverage of water damage depends on the insurance company, but most insurance carriers do not cover water damage that enters the home subsurface.  Usually there is coverage if the water comes from the home plumbing system and does not enter the home through the foundation.  Most water damage repair is covered if it originates from a broken pipe or a leak in the plumbing.

Q: What is the amount of your deductable?

A: Call your Insurance agent. Find out what your flood damage insurance deductible is. This is the part of the flood damage repairs that you will be responsible to pay. If the water damage is small, the cost may not be more than the deductible and you will not need to file a claim.

Q: Who can you call for an estimate of the flood cleanup, repair, restoration of the damage the water has made in your beautiful home?

A: Royal Water Damage will give you a free estimate for your flood cleanup, water damage repair. Most disaster restoration companies charge by square foot for each service needed to clean up your water damage. There are standard prices that are accepted by the insurance companies.  At Royal Water Damage we guarantee to match the insurance company’s estimate so you have no out of pocket expenses for the cleanup of your flood restoration.

Q: Do you have the proper tools to get the work done yourself?

A: Sometimes there are small floods in your home that you can handle yourself. If at any time you are not sure that you can handle it give us a call 215-657-2444 and we will be there with all the proper equipment.  We can give you a free estimate and scope of work that can assist you in making that decision.

Q: How soon can a disaster cleanup restoration company be at my home to help me with the water damage?

A: Our Certified Technicians will be at your home within 45 minutes. We know how important it is to get the water off your floors and furniture. It can cause some serious damage if left sitting.

Standard flood damage cleanup includes the following:

●   Water extraction

●   Wet Pad remova
●   Pull up wet carpet
●   Treat area with disinfectant
●   Set carpet dryers
●   Set dehumidifiers

 

As you have read. It all depends on how comfortable you feel about doing the cleanup yourself versus getting someone else to come into your house doing all the work for you. We are the professionals and know what it takes to make things easy on you and your family.  Visit us at www.royalwaterdamage.com.

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Water damage in your home? Actions to take.

Actions You Can Take

Shut Down Affected Utilities 

      1. Water Source: Stop the source of the water. Turn off   your   outside water main, or call a plumber or other qualified tradesman   to   stop the source of water flow. Contact your local utilities   department   if you can’t find how to turn off the water main.
      2. Electrical: Disconnect all power to affected areas. Do not   operate   your TVs or other electrical appliances while standing on wet   carpets or   floors (especially if concrete). Do not use your household   vacuum   cleaner to remove water.

Remove as Much Standing Water as Possible

      1. Floors: Remove as much standing water as possible by squeegee, mopping or blotting.
      2. Carpeting: Blot wet carpet with clean white towels. Remove   Oriental   rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpet.   Place a fan so   air flows over the carpet, speeding the drying process.
      3. Ceilings: Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve   trapped   water. Place a plastic (not metal) bucket under the leak. Do   not turn on   ceiling light fixtures or fan if the ceiling is wet.

Move Wet Items to Dry Areas

    1. Clothing/Fabrics: Move wet items to a dry place. Do not allow     draperies to remain in contact with wet floors or carpeting. Open and     empty drawers and cabinets for complete drying. Hang furs and leather     goods to dry separately at room temperature.
    2. Furniture: Move lighter pieces off of the carpeting. Place   plastic   wrap or plastic bags beneath the legs of larger furniture.   Wipe any   residual water off of the furniture.
    3. Art Objects/Paintings: Remove valuable painting and pictures from wet walls. Transfer all objects to a dry safe place.
    4. Upholstery: Remove and prop up wet upholstered cushions for even drying. Check for possible bleeding of colors.
    5. Luggage: Open suitcases and luggage to dry in sunlight if possible.
    6. Books/Magazines: Do not leave books, magazines or other colored     items on wet carpets or floors. High value books should be given to a     professional for proper drying and restoration as soon as possible.

Ventilate Affected Areas   

    1. Air Conditioning: Turn on your air conditioner (no lower than 72 degrees) to speed drying in the summer, or more humid regions.
    2. Open windows and doors when possible.
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Water Damage? What you need to know.

What You Need to Know About Water Damage

  • Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms including viruses, bacteria, and mold.  These can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the water damage. Call today for an expert to contain, inspect for, and terminate microorganisms.
  • Sewage and storm water contamination must be contained.  Call today to fix the problem, clean the sewage, AND disinfect and sanitize your home and belongings.
  • Water can seep into your walls, floors, and belongings.
    • Complete structural drying is an excellent method of drying, reducing risk of mold, and restoring your property to normal as quickly as possible.
    • Wood floors and finished flooring can swell and eventually become damaged if not properly dried.  Patience is required as finished flooring and floor systems do not react and dry out overnight, sometimes taking weeks for the flooring to flatten and/or stabilize.
    • Drying water damaged kitchen cabinets is easier and more cost-effective than replacing them.

     

    Call 215-657-2244 today for dehumidification and complete drying services- structure, carpet & area rugs, hardwood floors, walls, furniture, kitchen cabinets.

 

  • Like water, fire & smoke damage can often be concealed from the visible eye.  Smoke comes in four basic varieties:
    • Dry Smoke results from a fast burning high temperature fire.
    • Protein Smoke has an extreme pungent odor but is virtually invisible.
    • Wet Smoke is described as resulting from a low heat fire.
    • Fuel Oil Soot Smoke results from furnace currents.

     

    Call 215-657-2244 today for a professional to evaluate the smoke and fire damage, target the type of smoke that has saturated the structure, and identify what type of restoration or replacement is necessary.

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Does Insurance Cover Water Damage?

Does Insurance Cover Water Damage?Paper Work

The great part is that in most home flood situations, your homeowner insurance will cover the cost of getting professional water damage contractors to make sure you, your property and home are safe and the disaster restoration is completed according to national standards. Frozen pipe floods from bursting and breaking are covered by homeowners insurance, as are water heater leaks, dishwasher, washing machines, sinks, bathtub overflow (even if the kids caused it), toilet overflow floods and many other types of water damage are authorized by homeowners insurance.
We Can Bill Your Insurance Company Directly and we handle all the paper work!

Insurance Direct Billing

Our professional estimators are experts in the field of reconstruction of structures that have suffered a loss due to water, fire, or mold damage. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and software to present a detailed scope of work to your insurance claim adjuster.

We work with all insurance companies including:

  • AAA
  • Acuity
  • Allmerica
  • Allied
  • Allstate
  • American Family
  • Atlantic Mutual
  • Bituminous
  • Chubb
  • Cinncinati
  • Citizens
  • CNA
  • Encompass
  • Farmers
  • Farm Bureau
  • Fidelity National
  • Fireman’s Fund
  • Foremost Insurance Co
  • Grange
  • Harleysville
  • Hartford
  • Liberty Mutual
  • Metlife
  • Nationwide
  • OneBeacon
  • Ohio Casualty
  • Safeco
  • Selective
  • Shelter
  • State Farm
  • Travelers
  • United Property & Casualty
  • Vanguard Fire and Casualty
  • Wausau
  • Zurich
  • Fidelity National
  • USAA
  • And More!
                    Feel free to browse our web site for more information about our company and services. Do not hesitate to call us if you have a question. Our privately owned and operated company strives on customer satisfaction.
If you have a Emergency or are looking for more Information please                      CALL US NOW: 

FREE ESTIMATES 215-657-2244 

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About Royal Water Damage

We take your calls live 24 hours a day 7 days a week and send our local technicians to you anywhere in the Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware and Chester County areas.

If you have a Emergency or are looking for more Information please CALL US NOW:  FREE ESTIMATES 215-657-2244

The Water Removal Specialists

  • On call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Free Inspections and Estimates
  • Direct Insurance Company Billing
  • Water Damage Specialists
  • Carpet and Upholstery Specialists
  • Cleaning Experts
  • Sewage Intrusion Professionals
  • Fire and Smoke Cleanup Specialists
  • Our standards set us above our competition!

Royal Water Damage Restoration, Inc. was founded by 2 local businessmen and our management team has a combined 30 years of experience. We possess trained and professional crews, utilizing state-of-the art equipment to quickly make the repairs and prevent any further damage from happening to your home, office or vehicle. Our company specializes exclusively in Water Removal and Drying, Odor and Mildew Control, Basement Water Removal, Sewage Intrusion Cleanup and Fire/Smoke Restoration. Royal is committed to superior customer service and we exceed expectations in all of our business relationships. Our goal and success is based on responding immediately and bringing our customers 100% satisfaction. To us it’s a matter of integrity and our reputation is built on it.

We are located at 1923 Fairview Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090.

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