# Wiley Services — Full Site Content > Your Crisis, Our Solution. From Remediation to Renovation. This file contains every public page and article on wileyservicegroup.com in markdown, generated at build time from the source-of-truth TypeScript files. Updated on each deployment. ## Company - **Name:** Wiley Services - **Owner:** Derick Wiley - **Phone:** 816-592-0583 (live answer, 24/7) - **Hours:** 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - **Response:** Contacted within the hour. On-site in 60–90 minutes for emergencies. - **Years in industry:** 26 - **General Liability:** $1,000,000 via Evanston Insurance Company - **Tagline:** Your Crisis, Our Solution. From Remediation to Renovation. - **Short tagline:** Damage doesn't wait. Neither do we. ## Services ### General Contracting - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/general-contracting Owner-led general contracting for repairs, renovations, and rebuilds. ### Water Damage - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/water-damage Mitigation, drying, and restoration. Time is the mold clock — we move fast. ### Fire & Smoke - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/fire-damage 24-hour response. Smoke travels where you can't see — we find it and remove it. ### Storm & Roof - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/storm-roof Hail, wind, soft-metal damage, and roof leaks. Local crews who know local code. ### Mold Remediation - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/mold Containment, removal, and post-remediation clearance through accredited 3rd-party labs. ### Biohazard Cleanup Coordination - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/biohazard Trauma-scene work coordinated through credentialed biohazard subcontractors. Discretion and OSHA-compliant protocols. ### Asbestos & Lead - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/services/asbestos-lead Awareness, testing coordination, and abatement through certified subcontractors. ## Service Areas ### Lathrop & North Clay County - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/service-areas/lathrop - **Drive time from Lathrop:** Local Our headquarters. Same-day response across Clinton, Clay, and Caldwell counties. ### Kansas City Northland - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/service-areas/kc-northland - **Drive time from Lathrop:** 30–45 minutes Kearney, Liberty, Platte City, KCI corridor, and the full North KC metro. ### St. Joseph - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/service-areas/st-joseph - **Drive time from Lathrop:** 35–40 minutes Full restoration and contracting coverage for St. Joe and Buchanan County. ### Full city list - Lathrop, MO - Kearney, MO - Liberty, MO - Platte City, MO - Cameron, MO - Lake Viking, MO - Bethany, MO - Maryville, MO - St. Joseph, MO - Kansas City Metro - Kansas City, KS - Overland Park, KS - Legends / Western KCK ## News & Field Notes Written by Derick Wiley for homeowners in the Kansas City Metro and Northwest Missouri. ### Why Wiley Services Joined the Kearney Chamber of Commerce - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/wiley-services-joins-kearney-chamber - **Published:** 2026-07-17 - **Category:** Community - **Read time:** 5 min - **Keywords:** Kearney Chamber of Commerce, Wiley Services Kearney MO, local restoration contractor Kearney, shop local Kearney, storm chaser vs local contractor, Kearney MO general contractor _After a storm, homeowners get circled by contractors they have never heard of and cannot look up later. Joining the Kearney Chamber is one way we make it simple to see that Wiley Services is rooted here and accountable to the same community you live in._ After a hailstorm moves through the Northland, the trucks show up fast. Out-of-state crews knock doors with clipboards, promise a free roof, and ask you to sign something before they have even looked in the attic. If you have ever tried to look one of those companies up afterward, you already know the problem: there is often nothing local to find, and no one to call when the job goes sideways. Homeowners deserve a fast way to tell who is actually part of the community and who is passing through on the way to the next zip code. That is a real part of why Wiley Services is a member of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce. Membership is a small, public marker that we are known here, that a local organization can point to us, and that we plan to be around for the warranty call and the next storm. ## What the Kearney Chamber actually does The Kearney Chamber of Commerce works to keep the local business community healthy, from the shops along State Route 92 to the trades that serve homes across Clay County. Its work runs from everyday networking to the events that give the town its character. ### Support for local business - Ribbon cuttings and grand openings that put a face to new businesses in town. - A monthly member luncheon where owners meet the people they refer work to. - A searchable member directory and business map, so residents can find a Kearney company before they search the whole metro. - The Empower Kearney Leadership Academy, a months-long program that helps local business people grow into community leaders. - Certificates of origin, an email network that reaches hundreds of local contacts, and shared conference space members can book. ### Shop local, all year The Chamber runs Shop Local Kearney and its holiday counterpart, Keep the Cheer Here, both built to keep spending inside the community where it circulates back into schools, roads, and local jobs. For a contractor, that idea is not abstract. Every dollar a homeowner keeps close to home is a dollar that helps the same neighborhood recover faster after the next big loss. ### Community events and Kearney heritage Kearney takes its history seriously, from the Jesse James Birthplace Museum to the Kearney Historic Museum, and the Chamber helps carry that forward. Seasonal traditions like the Harvest Gala and Oktoberfest, along with a Non-Profit Showcase that gives local causes a stage, are the kind of thing that make a town feel like a town. ### Recognition that means something Every year the Chamber hands out its Business Excellence Awards, naming a Business of the Year and honoring rising stars, community impact, and long-standing dedication. Awards like these get decided by people who watch these businesses operate up close, which is the kind of accountability a homeowner wants standing behind the contractor on their roof. ## What membership signals for a restoration contractor Restoration is a trust business. You are letting a stranger into your home on one of the worst days you have had, often with an insurance check involved, and you have very little time to check them out. Anything that helps you vet a contractor quickly is worth paying attention to. A Chamber membership is not a license, and it is not a certification. Any contractor who waves it around like proof of skill is overselling it. What it honestly tells you is smaller and still useful: this company put its name on a local roster, tied its reputation to the community, and can be found and reached long after the truck leaves your driveway. > **Note:** A quick homeowner check before you sign anything after a storm: look the contractor up in the Kearney Chamber member directory at KearneyChamber.org, and ask for a reference from a completed job within a few miles of yours. ## Local is the whole point Wiley Services is headquartered in Lathrop and works across Kearney, Liberty, Smithville, and the rest of the Northland every week. Joining the Kearney Chamber puts us on record in one of the communities we serve, next to the businesses our neighbors already know. When the storm passes and the out-of-state trucks move on to the next town, we are still here, still answering the phone, and still standing behind the work. --- ### 24/7 Water Damage Response: The First 60 Minutes That Save Your Home - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/water-damage-first-60-minutes - **Published:** 2026-05-12 - **Category:** Water - **Read time:** 6 min - **Keywords:** water damage Kansas City, emergency water restoration, what to do water damage, water damage first hour, mold clock 48 hours, IICRC water restoration _What you do in the first hour after a water loss determines whether your claim is a $2,500 dry-out or a $25,000 reconstruction. Here's the playbook._ A burst supply line, a failed sump pump, a slow leak behind a wall that finally gives up at 2 a.m. — the way you handle the first hour decides whether you're looking at a small mitigation bill or a months-long reconstruction. After 26 years of running emergency response calls across the Kansas City Metro, here's exactly what we tell homeowners on the phone before we arrive. ## Stop the water — safely Find the main water shutoff to the house first, not the fixture. Most homes have it at the meter on the street side or in the basement near the foundation. If the source is a hot water tank, the cold inlet valve at the top is faster than the meter. If you can't find it in 60 seconds, call us — we'll talk you through it. If the leak is anywhere near an electrical outlet, panel, or fixture, kill power at the breaker before you walk through standing water. Water plus 120V is the kind of thing that turns a property loss into a hospital visit. ## The 24–48 hour mold clock Microbial growth begins in saturated drywall, insulation, and substrate between 24 and 48 hours after a water event — sometimes sooner depending on temperature and humidity. That's the window where calling a restoration contractor versus waiting and seeing changes the entire scope of repair. > **Note:** If the loss is more than a single saturated towel can absorb, treat it as an emergency. The cost difference between a same-day call and a next-week call is usually 5–10x. ## Document everything before you move it 1. Take wide photos of every affected room from the entry point. 2. Take close-up photos of the source (the leak, the broken pipe, the appliance) before you fix or remove it. 3. Take photos of any contents that touched the water — furniture, electronics, rugs. 4. Write down the date and time you discovered it. Write down the date and time you stopped the water. 5. Save any plumbing receipts or service-call invoices related to the source. Adjusters work from documentation. The more you have at the moment of discovery, the cleaner the claim runs. We handle the rest of the documentation once we're on site, but the first 30 minutes of photos are yours. ## Categories of water — and why they matter The IICRC defines three categories of water loss. Knowing which one you're dealing with tells you what gets dried versus what gets discarded: - Category 1 (Clean): broken supply line, dishwasher overflow with clean water. Usually dryable in place with proper equipment. - Category 2 (Gray): washing machine, aquarium, leaking sump pit. Requires antimicrobial application and selective demolition. - Category 3 (Black): sewage, flood water, any source that has been sitting more than 48 hours. Full demolition and EPA-registered disinfection required by code. ## What not to do - Don't run a household dehumidifier and call it a job. Residential units are an order of magnitude undersized for structural drying. - Don't pull drywall yourself before documentation. Photos of the damaged surface matter for the claim. - Don't accept a verbal estimate from any contractor — get it in writing, and for insurance work, get it in Xactimate. - Don't sign a contingency contract before the inspection. A free inspection should be free, with no strings. ## When to call Now. If water is actively flowing or has been standing more than a few hours, the cost curve only goes up from here. Wiley Services answers the phone 24/7 — live answer, owner picks up. On-site in 60 to 90 minutes for emergencies across the Kansas City Metro and Northwest Missouri. --- ### Soft-Metal Hail Damage: The Roof Claim Most Contractors Miss - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/soft-metal-hail-damage-roof-claim - **Published:** 2026-04-22 - **Category:** Storm - **Read time:** 5 min - **Keywords:** soft metal hail damage, roof claim scope, hail damage gutters, ventilation system hail, hail damage supplement, Xactimate roof estimate _The single most common scope omission on storm claims — and why it costs homeowners thousands two or three years after the original event._ Walk a roof after a major hail event with a contractor who's done a thousand of them and you'll see them check the obvious things — granule loss, missing tabs, lifted shingles. Then watch what they do at the ventilation system, the ridge cap, the gutters, and the A/C condenser. That's where the claim either gets right the first time or sets up a homeowner to pay out of pocket three years from now. ## What soft-metal damage actually is When hail hits a roof, it doesn't just affect the shingles. It also strikes the soft metals — the aluminum, galvanized steel, and copper components that make up your gutters, downspouts, drip edges, ridge vents, box vents, plumbing vent flashings, and HVAC condenser fins. Each of these metals is significantly thinner and softer than your shingles. Hail that bruises but does not break a shingle will dent, crack, or fatigue these metals. The damage compromises: - Water-tightness at the joints (drip edges, flashings, vent boots) - Structural integrity of the ventilation system (ridge vents, box vents) - Drainage capacity of gutters and downspouts (dented gutters pool water) - Heat transfer performance on A/C condenser fins (flattened fins reduce efficiency) ## Why it gets missed Three reasons contractors and adjusters skip soft-metal damage on the first inspection: 1. It doesn't look like a problem on day one. A bruised gutter still drains water. A dented ridge vent still vents air. The functional failure is in the future. 2. It's not on every macro. Xactimate's pre-built line item packages don't always include soft-metal scope by default. Estimators who lean on macros write incomplete scope without realizing it. 3. It takes longer to document. Each soft-metal hit requires its own photo and notation. On a multi-house insurance route, adjusters under volume pressure simplify. ## The two-year cost Here's what happens when soft-metal damage gets left off the original claim: - Month 6: a dented gutter joint starts weeping at the seam. Small stain on the soffit. - Month 14: water finds its way past a bruised ridge vent during a winter snow event. Attic insulation gets wet. Minor visible stain on a bedroom ceiling. - Month 24: that ridge vent has been leaking through every storm for a year. The decking is rotting. Insulation is matted and growing mold. The original $2,500 soft-metal scope is now a $15,000 attic remediation plus reconstruction. And the claim window has closed. Most insurance carriers require storm damage to be reported within a year, often less. The homeowner pays out of pocket for what should have been on the original scope. ## What proper documentation looks like 1. Every gutter section photographed and notated with hit count. 2. Every roof penetration (plumbing vent, box vent, ridge vent, B-vent, exhaust fan) inspected and photographed. 3. Every drip edge and rake metal documented at each elevation. 4. A/C condenser fin damage documented if present. 5. Soft-metal scope included in the Xactimate estimate from line one — documented for you and the carrier from the start, not surfaced for the first time months later. ## Getting it added later If you've already settled a claim that didn't include soft-metal scope, all is not lost — but the path is harder. You'll need a re-inspection with photo documentation of every affected component, and a supplement filed with the carrier explaining the omission. Approval is case-by-case and depends heavily on how clearly the damage matches the original storm event. The simpler path: get it on the original claim. If you're inspecting a recent storm, call before you sign anything. Inspections are free. --- ### Mold After a Water Loss: The 48-Hour Window - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/mold-after-water-loss-48-hour-window - **Published:** 2026-04-09 - **Category:** Mold - **Read time:** 6 min - **Keywords:** mold remediation, mold after water damage, mold hygienist, mold testing Kansas City, Stachybotrys black mold, indoor air quality _Microbial growth begins within 24 to 48 hours of a water event. Here's the science, the timeline, and when to bring in a 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) instead of guessing._ Mold is the second loss inside the first loss. Every water event is also a potential mold event, and the difference between getting ahead of it and chasing it later is measured in hours, not days. ## Why 24 to 48 hours Mold spores are present in essentially every indoor environment all the time. They are inert until they have the four things they need to grow: moisture, a food source (drywall paper, wood, dust), oxygen, and a temperature between roughly 40°F and 100°F. After a water loss, all four conditions are present, and visible growth can begin within 24 to 48 hours depending on temperature and humidity. > **Note:** Approximately 100,000 organisms could be classified as mold. Which species you have determines the remediation protocol. This is why guessing is dangerous and why we strongly recommend a 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) for anything beyond a small, isolated event. ## The first 48 hours: what we do 1. Stop the water at the source. Mold doesn't grow without moisture — fixing the cause comes before everything else. 2. Extract standing water and begin structural drying with commercial equipment (LGR or refrigerant dehumidifiers, axial and centrifugal air movers). 3. Set containment around the affected area if there's any suspicion of microbial growth — plastic barriers, negative-air machines, and clear access boundaries. 4. Document moisture readings daily in a written drying log so we can prove the structure dried below the threshold for microbial growth. 5. Engage a 3rd-party 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) for testing if any visible growth, musty odor, or pre-existing health concerns are present in the household. ## When to bring in a 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) A 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) is a 3rd-party certified industrial hygienist who tests for mold, identifies species, and writes the remediation protocol. We work with three labs and choose whichever can turn results fastest. ### Hire one if: - Visible growth covers more than 10 square feet (the EPA threshold for professional remediation). - Anyone in the household has compromised immunity, asthma, or respiratory sensitivity. - Water sat for more than 48 hours before drying started. - Growth is suspected inside wall cavities, HVAC, or other concealed spaces. - You need clearance testing to confirm remediation worked before closing the wall. ## Why testing matters Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys all look similar to the eye but have very different health profiles and remediation requirements. Stachybotrys (the so-called "black mold") requires substantially more aggressive containment and PPE than common household molds. Without testing, we'd be either over-remediating common molds at unnecessary cost or under-remediating dangerous ones at unnecessary risk. References: PLOS ONE 2013 fungal diversity study, Life 2025 species classification review, both cited on our Mold Remediation page. ## What the remediation actually involves 1. Containment: full plastic barriers, negative-air machines, decontamination chambers for crew transitions. 2. Source removal: affected drywall, insulation, carpeting, and other porous materials removed under containment. 3. HEPA vacuuming and antimicrobial application on remaining substrates. 4. Post-remediation verification: the Hygienist returns for clearance testing. We don't close the wall until clearance passes. 5. Build-back: drywall, paint, flooring, finishes restored to pre-loss condition. ## Pricing Small: $2,000 to $5,000 for localized, single-area, accessible growth. Moderate: $5,000 to $10,000 for multi-room or HVAC involvement. Large: $10,000+ for whole-home, structural saturation, or specialty species. Pricing depends heavily on species and accessibility — hiring a 3rd-party indoor-air professional (ACAC- or AIHA-credentialed) takes the guesswork out of scope and out of pricing. ## Insurance coverage Most homeowner policies cover mold remediation when it's a direct result of a covered water event — a burst pipe, an appliance failure, a roof leak. Many policies cap mold-specific coverage (often $5,000 or $10,000), and most exclude mold from gradual or unaddressed water issues. Check your declarations page, and document the water source from the moment you discover it. --- ### Asbestos in Older Homes: When to Test, When to Tear Out - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/asbestos-older-homes-when-to-test - **Published:** 2026-03-25 - **Category:** Renovation - **Read time:** 6 min - **Keywords:** asbestos older home, EPA asbestos ban 2024, asbestos testing, lead paint older home, pre-1980 renovation, popcorn ceiling asbestos _Asbestos is not fully banned in the United States — only chrysotile, and only since 2024. Here's the regulatory record and the renovation rules for older homes._ There's widespread confusion about whether asbestos is banned in the United States. The short answer is that some forms are, some forms are not, and the regulatory history is more complicated than most homeowners realize. If you own a home built before 1980, knowing the actual record matters before you renovate. ## The regulatory timeline 1. 1973–1978: The EPA banned spray-on asbestos fireproofing, insulation, and "popcorn" ceiling textures. 2. 1989: The EPA attempted a "Full Ban and Phase-Out" of asbestos in the United States. 3. 1991: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the 1989 ban after an industry challenge. Only a few specific products (flooring felt, corrugated paper) remained banned. 4. March 18, 2024: The EPA finalized a rule banning chrysotile asbestos — the only form still imported and used in the U.S., primarily in chlorine production and automotive brakes. Citations: Federal Register 2024, EPA press release, USGS MCS 2025, NIH/PMC, CDC. References are also linked on our Asbestos & Lead service page. ## What this means for your home Homes built before 1980 commonly contain asbestos in materials that were perfectly legal and standard at the time. Many of those materials are still in place today. Disturbing them during renovation — without testing — turns an ordinary remodel into a regulated abatement project. ## Common asbestos-containing materials - Popcorn / textured ceilings (especially pre-1978) - Drywall joint compound (some formulations through the early 1980s) - 9x9 floor tiles and 12x12 vinyl floor tiles, including mastic adhesive - Vinyl sheet flooring backing - Pipe wrap and HVAC duct insulation - Cement board (transite) siding and roofing - HVAC duct tape and sealants - Furnace and water heater gaskets - Some electrical wire insulation - Linoleum backing ## When to test before you renovate Test any material in a pre-1980 home that you intend to disturb (cut, scrape, sand, demolish, or remove). Testing is inexpensive — typically $25 to $75 per sample at a certified lab — and turnaround is usually three to seven days. Specific scenarios that warrant testing: - Kitchen or bath renovation in a home built before 1980. - Removing or texturing a popcorn ceiling. - Replacing flooring where the original 9x9 or 12x12 tile may still be underneath. - Removing HVAC ductwork or pipe wrap insulation. - Roof or siding replacement on a home with transite components. - Any demolition that disturbs joint compound or plaster in a pre-1980 build. ## What we do when a test comes back positive Wiley Services does not perform asbestos abatement in-house. We coordinate with licensed abatement subcontractors who carry the specialized insurance and OSHA certifications the work requires. We handle: - Pre-demolition sample collection and lab coordination - Negotiation with your insurance carrier (if the project is claim-related) - Engaging the abatement contractor and coordinating their schedule with the rest of the project - Post-abatement reconstruction once the area is cleared for normal trades ## Lead paint — the related concern Homes built before 1978 frequently contain lead-based paint. Federal RRP (Renovation, Repair, and Painting) rules apply to any disturbance of paint in these homes, and contractors performing the work must be RRP-certified. Derick Wiley holds the Missouri DHSS Lead Renovator (RRP) license required for work disturbing painted surfaces in pre-1978 Missouri homes. Kansas RRP work is governed by EPA Region 7 under 40 CFR Part 745 Subpart E and is separately certified at the federal level. Either way, ask any contractor working on a pre-1978 home for their specific RRP credential and license number in writing before signing. ## The shortcut warning If a contractor offers to renovate your pre-1980 home without testing or mentioning asbestos and lead, they are either uninformed or willing to expose your family and their own crew to materials that should have been tested and handled differently. Neither answer is the one you want. A pre-demo inspection takes 30 minutes and can save five-figure surprises later. If you're considering a renovation on an older home in the Kansas City Metro, we're happy to walk through with you and identify the materials worth testing before any work begins. --- ### Spring Storm Season in Kansas City: A Homeowner's Hail Damage Checklist - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/spring-storm-season-kc-hail-checklist - **Published:** 2026-03-04 - **Category:** Storm - **Read time:** 7 min - **Keywords:** Kansas City hail damage, Missouri storm season, hail damage inspection checklist, roof hail damage signs, soft metal hail damage, storm damage insurance claim _Missouri's storm season runs March through October. Here's what to inspect after every major storm — and the soft-metal damage most contractors will miss._ If you live anywhere between Lathrop and Lee's Summit, you already know the spring drill: severe weather rolls through, the sirens go off, and 48 hours later you're staring at the roof wondering if you have a claim. After 26 years of restoring homes across the Kansas City Metro, here's the inspection routine we run after every major storm. ## When to inspect Any storm with hail larger than a quarter (about an inch), straight-line winds over 60 mph, or a confirmed tornado warning in your zip code warrants an inspection. Missouri's primary storm window is March through October, with the worst hail events historically in April, May, and June. Winter brings a different damage pattern — ice damming, downed trees, and freeze-related roof leaks — which we cover in a separate article. ## The visible damage checklist Walk the perimeter of the house and check each item below. Most damage that affects a claim is not visible from the ground. - Shingles: missing tabs, lifted corners, granule loss in gutters, dark spots where the asphalt mat is exposed. - Soft metals: gutters, downspouts, A/C condenser fins, mailbox, grill, exterior light fixtures. Dents in soft metal correlate to impact energy that also affected your roof. - Vents and ridge caps: cracked plastic, bruised metal, displaced rubber boots around plumbing vents. - Siding: cracks, holes, missing pieces. Vinyl siding fails brittle in cold weather hail. - Window screens: tears, holes. A torn screen often means hail of meaningful size. - Garage door panels: dents, bowing, broken springs. - Outdoor furniture: dimpling on aluminum, scratches on plastic — useful for documenting hail size. ## Soft-metal damage: the claim most contractors miss This is the single most common scope omission we see on storm claims, and it's the one homeowners pay for two years later when leaks show up at the ventilation system. When hail hits soft metals — gutters, flashings, ridge vents, and the ventilation system on the roof itself — it leaves bruises that don't look like a problem on day one. Those bruises compromise the metal's integrity at the joints and around penetrations. Water finds the weak spot, often months or years later, and starts leaking into the attic from the ventilation system. Document every soft-metal hit on the inspection report. Including damage in the initial scope your contractor and adjuster review together is cleaner than surfacing it months later, when matching the damage to the storm event becomes a more involved exercise for both you and the carrier. ## Interior damage that points to roof issues Some storm damage shows up first inside the house, not on the roof. Walk every room and look for: - Water stains on ceilings, especially near can lights, bath fans, and attic access hatches. - Damp drywall around plumbing vents on the upper floor. - Brown or yellow rings on textured ceilings where the texture is starting to lift. - Insulation visible through small holes in attic-facing surfaces. - A new burning-dust smell when the heat or A/C kicks on — sometimes wet insulation around the HVAC system. ## Document, then call 1. Photograph everything wide, then close. Include something for scale (a coin, a tape measure, your hand). 2. Note the date and approximate time of the storm. 3. Save any local news coverage or weather service confirmations of hail size and wind speed. 4. Call your insurance agent to ask whether to file. If you're not sure, call us first — inspections are free and we'll tell you straight if it warrants a claim. 5. Do not climb on the roof unless you are trained and equipped for it. We're insured for that work. ## Your right to choose a contractor In Missouri, the homeowner has the right to choose their contractor for storm and roof claims — unless you've signed an endorsement on your policy that limits that choice in exchange for premium savings. Read your declarations page, and if you're not sure, call your agent before signing anything. > **Note:** Anyone who offers to waive your deductible is breaking the law. That's insurance fraud. Walk away — if they're willing to break the law to win the job, what other rules will they not follow on your property? ## Why local matters After every major hail event in the metro, out-of-state storm-chasers show up in trucks with magnetic signs and promises of a free roof. Most of them are gone before the first supplement gets filed. Wiley Services has been here for 26 years. We'll be here for the warranty call. We'll be here for the next storm. That's not marketing — it's just the reality of the math. --- ### What Smoke Really Does to a Home (and Why Cheap Cleaning Won't Cut It) - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/smoke-damage-deep-clean - **Published:** 2026-02-18 - **Category:** Fire - **Read time:** 6 min - **Keywords:** fire damage restoration, smoke damage cleaning, smoke odor removal, fire restoration Kansas City, FSRT certified, house fire cleanup _Smoke isn't just a smell. It's a chemical residue that migrates into wall cavities, attic insulation, and HVAC ductwork. Here's why proper fire restoration is structural, not cosmetic._ When the fire department leaves a house fire scene, the visible damage is usually concentrated in a single room or area. The invisible damage is everywhere else — and that's the part that determines whether the smell ever really goes away. ## Smoke migrates. Always. Smoke is a complex mixture of microscopic particulates, gases, and volatile organic compounds. The hotter the fire, the smaller the particles, and the deeper they penetrate porous surfaces. By the time the firefighters wrap up, smoke residue has settled into: - Wall cavities through electrical outlets and switch plates - Attic insulation through soffit and ridge vents - HVAC ductwork — every room the system serves - Bath fans, range hoods, and laundry vents - Inside drawers, closets, and cabinet boxes - Behind built-in appliances - Inside electronics through cooling vents Wipe-down cleaning addresses the surfaces you can see. The smell comes back because the residue you cannot see continues to off-gas for months. ## The four smoke types — and why they matter Identifying the smoke type drives every cleaning decision: chemistry, sequence, and which materials get cleaned vs. removed. ### Dry smoke Fast-burning, high-temperature fires (paper, wood, fabric). Residue is powdery and easier to remove from non-porous surfaces, but it penetrates deeper into porous materials like drywall and unfinished wood. ### Wet smoke Slow-burning, low-heat fires (rubber, plastics). Sticky, smeary residue with strong odor. Requires solvent-based cleaning agents and often demolition of affected drywall. ### Protein smoke Kitchen fires involving food, especially grease and oil. Nearly invisible residue with an intense, persistent odor. Discolors paint, varnish, and lacquered finishes — sometimes only visible weeks later as a yellow-brown haze. ### Fuel-oil soot Furnace puff-backs and oil-fueled heating system failures. Oily black residue distributed throughout the structure via the HVAC system. Often more widespread than the homeowner realizes. ## What proper restoration looks like 1. 24-hour board-up and tarp to secure the structure and prevent secondary damage. 2. Inventory and pack-out: salvageable contents removed to a clean storage environment, non-salvageable documented for the claim. 3. Dry soot cleaning before any moisture is introduced — wet cleaning first sets the residue and makes it permanent. 4. Structural cleaning of walls, ceilings, and substrate to determine what can be sealed vs. removed. 5. HVAC system cleaning or sealing. Smoke deposits inside ductwork continue to re-circulate odor every time the system runs. 6. Deodorization matched to the smoke type — ozone, hydroxyl, thermal fogging, or vapor injection. 7. Reconstruction: drywall, paint, flooring, cabinetry, and finish carpentry restoring the property to pre-loss condition. ## Insurance and timing Most homeowner policies cover fire and smoke damage as a primary covered peril. The complication is usually scope: areas not visibly affected (attic insulation, HVAC, wall cavities) need to be documented as part of the loss for the carrier's review. We meet your adjuster on-site, walk every affected area together, and provide our documented repair scope so you and your carrier can discuss it on facts. Whether each item is paid is the carrier's decision. Total timeline for a typical residential fire restoration runs 6 to 16 weeks depending on damage extent, material availability, and the reconstruction scope. Larger losses with structural work can run longer. We provide weekly updates at minimum on standard work, daily updates on larger losses. ## The shortcut warning If a contractor quotes a fire restoration price that looks dramatically lower than competitors, the cleaning scope almost certainly excludes the spaces you cannot see. The smell returns six weeks later, the cleaner is gone, and you're paying out of pocket to fix the original problem. Wiley Services holds IICRC certifications and partners with FSRT-certified specialty subcontractors for fire and smoke work. Every estimate includes the structural and mechanical scope — not just the visible surfaces. --- ### Choosing a Restoration Contractor After a Disaster: Six Questions to Ask - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/choosing-restoration-contractor-six-questions - **Published:** 2026-02-04 - **Category:** Emergency Tips - **Read time:** 6 min - **Keywords:** choosing restoration contractor, questions to ask contractor, restoration contractor vetting, IICRC certification, Xactimate estimate, out-of-state storm chasers _After a fire, flood, or major storm, the worst-equipped homeowner is also the one being asked to make the most important decisions. Six questions that separate the real contractors from the trucks with magnetic signs._ After a major event, every restoration contractor in the region — and often plenty from out of state — will be marketing hard. Some are excellent. Some are competent. Some shouldn't be allowed to hold a ladder. The trick is knowing the difference before you sign anything. Here are the six questions that filter out almost everyone you shouldn't hire. ## 1. Are you local, and how long have you been here? Local matters because supplements, warranty calls, and the next storm all happen on a timeline measured in months and years. Out-of-state storm chasers are great while they're here. They're not here for the supplement at month 9, the warranty call at year 2, or the inspection on the next storm at year 3. Ask: "What's your physical address? How long have you been at it? Can I drive by a project you finished last year?" ## 2. Are you licensed and what insurance do you carry? Missouri has no statewide general-contractor license. Many Missouri municipalities — including Kansas City, St. Louis County, and parts of Clinton County — require local contractor registration, often tiered by project scope. Verify the contractor is registered in the specific municipality your project sits in. Kansas similarly has no statewide GC license but Wichita, Topeka, Johnson County, and others license locally. Liability insurance should be a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability — verifiable on a certificate of insurance (COI) issued by the carrier directly, not a copy from the contractor. Ask: "What's your GC license number? Can you have your insurance carrier send the COI directly to me?" ## 3. Are you IICRC-certified, and in what categories? IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is the industry standard. WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician), FSRT (Fire & Smoke Restoration), and AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation) are the certifications most relevant to common losses. The contractor doesn't need every certification in-house, but they should be honest about what they hold versus what they coordinate through certified subcontractors. Ask: "Which IICRC certifications do you hold in-house, and which are coordinated through subs?" Look for a straight answer, not a sales pitch. ## 4. How do you price the estimate? For any insurance claim, the answer should be "Xactimate." That's the industry-standard estimating platform used by every major carrier and adjuster. A contractor who doesn't use Xactimate for insurance work either isn't equipped to negotiate scope with the carrier or isn't transparent about pricing. Ask: "Is your estimate done in Xactimate, and at what certification level?" Level 2 is the basic professional certification; Level 3 is more advanced. Either is acceptable. Anything less than Level 2 raises questions. ## 5. Who actually does the work? Restoration contractors fall on a spectrum from "all in-house crew" to "100% subcontractors with a sales team out front." Both models can produce good work, but you should know which you're hiring and how the contractor manages subcontractor quality. Ask: "Who's on the job? Are they employees or subcontractors? If subs, how do you vet them, and do you confirm their workers' compensation coverage?" ## 6. What does ongoing communication look like? Restoration projects run weeks to months. Communication is what determines whether the customer experience matches the technical quality of the work. The right answer here includes frequency, channel, and who specifically you'll be talking to. Ask: "How often will I get updates during the job? Who specifically will I be talking to — the owner, a project manager, a salesperson? What if I can't reach them?" ## Red flags that override all six answers - Anyone who offers to waive your deductible. That's insurance fraud — federal and state law. - Anyone pressuring you to sign a contingency contract on the first visit. - Anyone who can't or won't provide proof of license and insurance. - Anyone parked in your driveway 30 minutes after a hailstorm with magnetic signs on the truck. - Anyone who quotes a price dramatically lower than competitors without a scope to back it up. - Anyone who can't answer basic questions about the materials, products, or techniques they're proposing. ## Inspections should be free A reputable restoration contractor will inspect your property and provide a written estimate at no cost, with no obligation. If a contractor wants payment upfront for an inspection — or a signed contingency agreement before they'll look at the damage — walk away. Wiley Services offers free property inspections across the Kansas City Metro and Northwest Missouri, 24/7 for emergencies. Call 816-592-0583 — the owner answers. --- ### How to Read Your Homeowner's Policy Before You Need It - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/read-your-homeowner-policy-before - **Published:** 2026-01-28 - **Category:** Insurance - **Read time:** 8 min - **Keywords:** homeowners insurance policy, wind hail deductible, ACV vs RCV insurance, policy endorsements, insurance claim Kansas City, deductible financing _Most homeowners read the policy for the first time after a claim is denied. Here's what to check now — endorsements, deductibles, exclusions, and the ACV vs. RCV question._ A homeowner's insurance policy is a forty-page legal document that almost no one reads until something goes wrong. After 26 years of restoration work alongside homeowner claims, here are the parts of your policy that matter most — and the questions to ask your agent before you need to. (Wiley Services is not a public adjuster; reading and interpreting your policy is your responsibility. This article is general consumer information, not advice about your specific policy.) ## Start with the declarations page The declarations page ("dec page") is the one-page summary at the front of the policy. It lists your coverage limits, deductibles, endorsements, and named insureds. Most of what you need to know about your coverage in a hurry is on this page. ### Coverage A: Dwelling This is the maximum the policy will pay to repair or rebuild your home. Check it against current cost-to-rebuild estimates for your area. Underinsured dwelling coverage is the most common gap we see — homes valued at 2018 prices, insured at 2018 limits, in a 2026 cost environment. ### Coverage B: Other Structures Detached garages, sheds, fences, and outbuildings. Typically 10% of Coverage A. If you have a large detached shop or a high-value outbuilding, you may need a higher limit. ### Coverage C: Personal Property Contents — furniture, electronics, clothing, tools. Typically 50% to 70% of Coverage A. Sub-limits often apply to specific categories (jewelry, firearms, business property, fine art). If you have collections, schedule them separately. ### Coverage D: Loss of Use Pays for additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable during repairs. Hotel, meals, pet boarding, laundry. Typically 20% to 30% of Coverage A. Significantly underused by most homeowners. ## Deductibles — especially wind and hail Standard policies typically carry a flat all-perils deductible ($1,000 to $5,000). Many policies in storm-prone regions including Missouri now carry a separate, percentage-based wind and hail deductible — usually 1% to 2% of the dwelling coverage. > **Note:** On a $400,000 dwelling, a 2% wind/hail deductible is $8,000 out of pocket before insurance pays a dollar on a storm claim. This is the single biggest surprise homeowners face when filing a claim. If you have a percentage wind/hail deductible, deductible financing exists as a legitimate tool — many third-party lenders serve this market. Talk to your carrier or your bank about options. Wiley Services does not receive compensation for steering customers to any particular lender. Anyone offering to waive your deductible is breaking the law — that's insurance fraud, regardless of how it's framed. ## ACV vs. RCV — and why it matters ACV (Actual Cash Value) and RCV (Replacement Cost Value) are two different ways the policy calculates what it pays for damaged property. ### ACV (Actual Cash Value) Pays the depreciated value of the item. A 15-year-old roof on an ACV policy may pay only 40% to 60% of replacement cost. The remainder comes out of your pocket. ### RCV (Replacement Cost Value) Pays the cost to replace with like kind and quality. Usually paid in two parts: ACV first, then the depreciation "recoverable" amount once repairs are completed and documentation is submitted. Most newer policies are RCV by default for the dwelling. Some carriers issue ACV-only policies on older roofs as a cost-savings option. Check your dec page or call your agent. The math difference on a typical roof claim is often $5,000 to $15,000. ## Endorsements that limit contractor choice In Missouri, the homeowner generally has the right to choose their contractor for restoration work. Some carriers offer a premium discount in exchange for an endorsement that restricts that choice to a carrier-approved network. If you've signed such an endorsement, you've traded contractor freedom for monthly savings. There's nothing wrong with that — but you should know it before a storm hits and you find out your preferred local contractor isn't on the list. Ask your agent specifically: "Do I have any endorsements that limit my contractor choice?" ## Common exclusions to verify - Sewer/sump backup — usually requires a specific endorsement, not covered by default in most policies. - Flood — entirely separate policy through NFIP or a private flood carrier. Rising water is not covered by your homeowner's policy. - Earth movement — earthquakes, sinkholes, mudslides. Separate policy in most cases. - Mold — many policies cap mold-related claims, often at $5,000 or $10,000. - Wind/hail named-storm exclusions — less common in Missouri but worth checking. - Roof age and condition — some carriers limit coverage on older roofs or roofs in poor condition. ## The annual review Set a calendar reminder to call your agent once a year — usually around renewal time — and walk through the dec page together. Confirm the dwelling coverage still reflects current rebuild costs. Confirm any endorsements you have. Ask if there are coverage gaps for risks specific to your home (sump pump, sewer line, older roof, large outbuildings). The fifteen minutes you spend on that call once a year is the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy. --- ### Winter Pipe Bursts: Prevent, Detect, Respond - **URL:** https://wileyservicegroup.com/news/winter-pipe-bursts-prevent-detect-respond - **Published:** 2026-01-12 - **Category:** Water - **Read time:** 7 min - **Keywords:** frozen pipe prevention, burst pipe repair, winter water damage, ice damming, Kansas City winter, pipe burst emergency _Below about 20°F, exposed pipes are at risk. Here's how to prevent the failure, where to look for early warning signs, and what to do in the first 30 minutes after a burst._ A burst water pipe will dump about 4 to 8 gallons of water per minute into your home until somebody finds the shutoff. The math gets ugly fast: 30 minutes from a typical supply line failure is 120 to 240 gallons of water across multiple floors. Knowing prevention, detection, and response patterns turns a five-figure loss into a $1,500 dry-out. ## Why pipes burst Water expands roughly 9% when it freezes. Inside a closed pipe, the expansion creates pressure between the ice plug and the closest closed valve or fixture. That pressure — not the ice itself — ruptures the pipe, often at a fitting or weak section. Risk threshold for most homes in the Kansas City Metro: pipes in unconditioned spaces (crawl space, attic, exterior wall cavities) begin to freeze when sustained outdoor temperatures fall below about 20°F, and the risk increases sharply below 10°F. Wind exposure on exterior walls accelerates the timeline. ## Prevention ### Before the cold front arrives - Disconnect garden hoses. A connected hose creates a closed system that traps water in the spigot stem, which then freezes and ruptures. - Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garage walls. Foam pipe sleeves are inexpensive and effective. - Identify your main water shutoff and confirm it actually works. Test it once a year. - If you have a known cold spot (a kitchen sink on an exterior wall is the classic), keep the cabinet doors open during deep cold so room heat reaches the plumbing. - Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F when traveling. Heating system efficiency is meaningless if a pipe bursts while you're gone. ### During deep cold (<10°F sustained) - Open a small trickle on faucets served by at-risk pipes — especially those on exterior walls. Moving water resists freezing better than stagnant water. - Open interior doors to keep heat moving through the house. Closed bedrooms with exterior walls become cold zones. - If you'll be away, ask a neighbor to check the house daily. ## Early detection A pipe that's frozen but not yet burst gives you a small window to thaw it before it fails. Signs: - Reduced water flow or no flow at a single fixture during cold weather. - Frost visible on an exposed pipe. - Strange knocking, banging, or whistling from the wall during faucet use. - A particular faucet feels colder to touch than usual. If you suspect a frozen pipe, locate the freeze (start at the at-risk areas), open the affected faucet, and apply gentle heat (hair dryer, heating pad, towel-wrapped warm water). Never use an open flame. Work from the faucet end of the pipe toward the freeze so melted water has somewhere to go. Call a plumber if you can't safely access the freeze. ## The first 30 minutes after a burst 1. Shut off the main water supply to the house. The shutoff is usually at the meter on the street side, in the basement near the foundation, or in a crawl space. 2. If electricity is anywhere near the water (ceiling fixtures dripping, water running near outlets, water in the basement near the panel), turn off the breaker for affected circuits before walking through. 3. Take wide photos of every affected room from the entry doorway. Take close-ups of the pipe and the surrounding area. 4. Move furniture, electronics, and contents out of the wet area if it's safe. Lift wet items off the floor. 5. Call us. We answer 24/7 — live answer, owner picks up. On-site in 60 to 90 minutes for emergencies across the Kansas City Metro. 6. Call your insurance carrier or agent. Most policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe; gradual leaks are typically not covered. ## Ice damming — the other winter water loss Ice damming is heat loss from the attic that melts snow on the upper roof, which then refreezes at the cold eaves and ridge — building an ice dam that backs water up under the shingles. The result is roof leaks into upper-floor ceilings, walls, and insulation during what looks like clear winter weather. Prevention is primarily attic insulation and ventilation, both of which we can address as part of restoration or as standalone work. If you've seen ice damming the last few winters, addressing the cause now is cheaper than restoring the damage every spring. ## What's covered, what isn't Most homeowner policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe. Coverage often excludes: - Gradual leaks that were known or should have been known. - Damage from a frozen pipe in an unheated structure (vacation home, vacant property). - Damage in a home where the heat was shut off without taking precautions (set heat to 55°F minimum when traveling). - Mold beyond a policy-specific sub-limit (often $5,000 to $10,000). Document the moment of discovery, the source, and the immediate steps you took to mitigate. Insurance carriers reward clear, contemporaneous documentation. --- ## Contact - Phone: 816-592-0583 (24/7 live answer) - Contact form: https://wileyservicegroup.com/contact - Emergency: https://wileyservicegroup.com/emergency