What should I do immediately after water damage?

First, ensure everyone's safety and evacuate if necessary. Then call NBE immediately at 707-544-5778 for 24/7 emergency response. Turn off water at the main valve if safe to do so, move valuables to higher ground, and document damage with photos. We typically arrive within hours to begin water extraction and prevention of further damage.

Are you available for emergency calls outside business hours?

Yes. NBE Property Restoration operates 24/7/365. We maintain emergency response crews ready to dispatch at any time, day or night, including weekends and holidays. Our average response time is within 2 hours of your call.

What certifications does your team hold?

Our team is certified by IICRC (Water and Fire/Smoke Restoration), ACAC (Fire/Smoke Consultant, Indoor Air Quality, Microbial), EPA Lead-Safe, and OSHA-compliant. We hold General Contractor License #1050494 and are Diamond Certified — the only Diamond Certified mold remediation company in the North Bay.

Do you work with insurance companies?

Absolutely. We have extensive experience working directly with insurance companies on claims. We help document damage, communicate with your adjuster, and ensure proper coverage. Our transparent approach and detailed reporting help expedite the claims process.

What areas do you serve?

We primarily serve the North Bay Wine Country including Sonoma County, Marin County, and Napa County — Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Windsor, Sebastopol, Napa, and surrounding communities. Call 707-544-5778 for service availability.

What services does NBE provide beyond water damage?

We offer comprehensive restoration and reconstruction services including fire and smoke damage restoration, mold remediation, sewage backup cleanup, emergency board-up, odor removal, structural repairs, home remodeling, and new construction. Whether residential or commercial, we handle disasters of any size.

How do you prevent mold growth after water damage?

Our immediate response includes professional water extraction, structural drying with industrial equipment, dehumidification, and antimicrobial treatment. We monitor moisture levels and airflow to prevent mold. Our ACAC and IICRC certified technicians follow strict protocols to ensure complete remediation.

How long does water damage restoration take?

The timeline depends on severity. Water extraction typically takes a few hours; structural drying takes 3-5 days using industrial dehumidifiers and air movers. Reconstruction and repairs can take 1-4 weeks. We provide a detailed timeline after our initial assessment and moisture mapping.

Ben Casteneda of NBE Property Restoration Earns ACAC CMRS C…

Ben Casteneda of NBE Property Restoration Earns ACAC CMRS Certification

Category: Mold Remediation

NBE Property Restoration Project Manager Ben Casteneda has earned the Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS) designation from the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). Here is what the certification means and what it means for North Bay homeowners.

We are proud to share that Benjamin "Ben" Casteneda, Project Manager at NBE Property Restoration, has been awarded the Council-certified Microbial Remediation Supervisor (CMRS) designation by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). The board-awarded certification recognizes Ben's knowledge and field experience in mold, microbial, and bacterial remediation.

This is a big deal for Ben and for our team, and it matters for the homeowners, property managers, and business owners we serve across Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, and the North Bay.

What It Took to Earn the CMRS

The CMRS is not a weekend course certificate. To earn it, Ben:

Passed a rigorous exam based on respected industry reference texts
Submitted documented, verifiable field experience to a board of his peers
Earned a unanimous vote of approval from that board

ACAC sets the eligibility bar for the supervisor level at 8 years of field experience, or a combination of field experience and college credits. The certification is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), an independent accreditation body.

The work does not stop at the exam. To keep the CMRS, Ben will stay active in the field and complete 40 hours of professional development within the next two years. ACAC certifications must be renewed every two years.

What a CMRS Knows

According to ACAC, a certified microbial remediation supervisor can design and maintain effective containment, control pressure relationships during a project, and safely clean, treat, or remove materials and contents affected by mold. Those are the parts of a mold job that decide whether the problem is actually solved or just moved around the house.

In practice, that means the person running your project understands why containment goes up before anything is disturbed, why air pressure between rooms matters, and how to confirm the job is done right before the walls close back up.

What This Means for North Bay Property Owners

Mold problems in our area often follow water: a slow leak behind a wall, a flooded crawl space after an atmospheric river, or moisture left behind after a fire is put out. When mold shows up, you want the work planned and supervised by someone whose knowledge has been tested and whose experience has been checked by peers.

With Ben's CMRS, NBE customers get:

Mold remediation projects supervised by an ACAC-certified professional
Work planned around containment, pressure control, and safe removal
A project manager committed to ongoing training in a field where standards keep changing

Verify It Yourself

Ben is now listed in the ACAC certificant database, alongside thousands of certificants around the world. The database can be searched by name, company, or zip code and is kept up to date. You can learn more about ACAC and its certifications at acac.org.

Congratulations, Ben

Everyone at NBE Property Restoration congratulates Ben on this achievement. If you are dealing with mold, water damage, or musty odors you cannot track down, our team is ready to help. Call NBE Property Restoration at (707) 544-5778 to talk with us about your property.