Does Cotton GDS work directly with our insurance company?

Yes. Cotton GDS uses industry-standard estimating tools, provides high-resolution photo documentation, maintains detailed moisture readings and daily reports and communicates directly with your insurance adjuster throughout the project. The goal is to reduce friction between the work being done and the claim being settled, so your recovery doesn't get held up by paperwork or scope disputes.

What's the difference between water mitigation and water damage restoration? Do I need both?

Mitigation is the emergency phase: extracting water, stabilizing the environment and stopping additional damage from occurring. Restoration is what comes after: drying, cleaning, repairing and rebuilding affected materials and areas. In most cases, yes, you need both and the sequence matters. Skipping or rushing mitigation leads to structural damage and mold growth that makes the restoration phase far more extensive and expensive. Cotton GDS handles both as part of a single, coordinated engagement.

If mold is found in one area of my facility, does the whole building need to be shut down?

Not necessarily. Mold remediation involves establishing containment to isolate the affected area from the rest of your facility. In many commercial settings, operations in unaffected areas can continue while remediation is underway. The right approach depends on the size and location of the contamination, which Cotton GDS will determine during the initial damage assessment.