Editorial policy
Every guide on this site is written to help someone deal with water damage safely and make a good decision about who to hire. This page explains how the guides are researched, what sources they rely on and how mistakes get fixed.
By the Water Damage Services Knoxville editorial team ยท Last reviewed
Who writes the guides on this site?
The guides are written and reviewed by the Water Damage Services Knoxville editorial team. The team is not a restoration contractor and does not inspect properties. Guides describe general practice in water damage restoration, based on public standards and official sources, and say so where a decision depends on your own policy or the provider who inspects your home.
What sources do the guides use?
Facts come from primary or official sources wherever possible, and each guide links to them in the text. The main sources are:
- Government agencies: the EPA on mold, moisture and lead, Ready.gov on flood safety, and FloodSmart.gov on the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Local government: Knox County Stormwater and the KGIS maps for floodplains, and city and utility websites for local services.
- Industry standards: the IICRC S500 standard for water damage restoration, for terms such as water categories and drying practice.
- Census figures: population and housing numbers from the 2020 Census, as reported on each town's public record.
What will this site never publish?
- Customer reviews, star ratings or testimonials that cannot be verified
- Licenses, certifications, years in business or job counts for providers we have not checked
- Promised arrival times, 24-hour availability or promises about someone else's work
- Prices, since the provider who inspects the damage sets them
- Local addresses or offices that do not exist
How are guides reviewed and kept current?
Each guide shows the date it was last reviewed. Reviews check links, facts, local details and whether the advice still matches the official source it cites. Guides change when a source changes, when a reader reports a problem, or when the review finds something out of date.
How do I report a mistake?
Use the contact page and say which page and which sentence is wrong. Confirmed errors are corrected and the review date is updated. We do not quietly change a page's meaning without updating that date.
How does this site make money?
Water Damage Services Knoxville is a referral website, not a restoration contractor. We do not employ technicians or do restoration work. When you call or send a request, we connect you with an independent restoration provider who may serve your area. Prices, timing, licenses, insurance and the work itself are between you and that provider. Confirm them directly before you agree to anything. Being paid for calls does not change what the guides say. The guides would read the same if no provider paid for anything.