Water Damage At Your Property, Now What?

Shawn Folks • June 16, 2020

Water damage can be hard to detect and extremely expensive to repair. Water can sneak in from anywhere, including missing shingles, peeling caulk, leaky pipes, surface backups or even sewage systems. Keep a close eye and nose on your house. If you see peeling paint, mold, or mildew on walls, or if you smell a persistent, musty odor, you may have a bigger problem on your hands.


The good news is, there are some preventative measures you can take to reduce water damage from occurring. Some simple steps include:



  • Ensuring your gutters and downspouts are always cleaned
  • Maintaining your sump pump (and make sure it has battery backup)
  • Regularly inspecting water supply lines to your refrigerator and washing machine


We understand that sometimes, emergencies or natural disasters happen. First, if you have water damage at your home or business, be sure to immediately turn off the water source if applicable. In the first 100 minutes, as our team of property damage restoration experts responds to your call, move any furniture or electronics away from the affected area. It is important not to power up any electronics. Meanwhile, take pictures of any property damage and allow our team to safely remove the water.


In addition, it is important to note that there are three classes of water, which range from clean source to contaminated. However, the longer the water sits in a building or a home, the more likely it becomes contaminated. Here are the three categories of water:


  • Cat 1: Clean Water Damage: Clean water is the first category of water damage that can affect your business. It is, as the name describes, clean or uncontaminated water from a faulty appliance or broken water line. Depending on the materials of the affected areas, this can change.
  • Cat 2: Gray Water Damage: The second category of water damage is water which comes from a source that may contain contaminants, like a toilet without feces, snow, or rainfall, or a dishwasher. Again, quick action and repair is necessary for effective water damage mitigation.
  • Cat 3: Black Water Damage: The third category of water damage is considered the most dangerous and can cause the most destruction to your business and health. This includes water from overflowing rivers, sewage, or groundwater. This water can include pathogens that carry viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Although we encourage you to use our team for any category, this category of water should be managed by a certified water restoration company.


Finally, as the leading restoration company along the Gulf Coast, we pride ourselves on our five core values of honesty, partnership, efficiency, workmanship and commitment. It is important to call on a team who understands that reducing the secondary damage to floors and contents is vital. Our team of restoration professionals is committed to providing quick responses and solutions, not excuses. At Guarantee Restoration Services, we are there when you need us the most.

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By Shawn Folks July 29, 2026
Learn how using one team for mitigation and reconstruction streamlines disaster recovery, improves communication, and reduces downtime.
By Christina Mullins July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Zack Klein Director of Marketing and Business Development 225-753-8682 Zack@247GRS.com Guarantee Restoration Services Launches National Sales Team to Expand Strategic Partnerships Across the Country BATON ROUGE, La. – June 16, 2026 – Guarantee Restoration Services (GRS), a leading full-service restoration contractor serving the Gulf Coast since 1974, is proud to announce the implementation of its new National Sales Team. This strategic initiative marks an exciting step forward in the company’s continued growth and commitment to serving clients and partners on a broader scale. The newly established team will be led by Barrett Dick, Director of National Sales, alongside Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing. Together, they have played a pivotal role in growing GRS relationships across multiple industries throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond for over a decade. The team also includes newly hired account executives, David Stern and Chad Catalano. “Over the years, we have seen our partnerships and opportunities continue to grow beyond our traditional footprint,” said Zack Klein, Director of Business Development and Marketing at Guarantee Restoration Services. “Creating a dedicated National Sales Team allows us to strengthen those relationships, support our partners on a larger scale, and continue expanding the reach of the GRS brand, while staying true to the service and responsiveness we are known for.” Dick, who will celebrate 10 years with GRS next month, brings extensive industry knowledge and leadership experience to the role. He holds multiple Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) credentials, including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD), Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT), and Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician (FSRT). After graduating from Louisiana State University, Barrett began his professional career with Marucci Sports before joining Guarantee Restoration Services in July 2016. Just weeks into his time with the company, the historic Great Flood of 2016 impacted Southeastern Louisiana, providing him with firsthand experience managing large-scale losses and coordinating restoration efforts for major school districts and commercial clients. Since then, he has helped cultivate business development efforts throughout Louisiana and nationally, working closely with partners in hospitality, education, government, healthcare, and other commercial sectors. “Our focus has always been relationship-driven,” said Dick. “We want our clients and partners to know they have a team they can rely on before, during, and after a disaster. This National Sales Team is another way we are investing in those relationships and positioning Guarantee to better serve organizations wherever they need us.” As part of the expansion, GRS hired David Stern as a National Sales Account Executive. Stern brings more than a decade of high-level sales and relationship management experience from the professional sports industry. Prior to joining our team, he served with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans organization, where he consistently ranked among the organization’s top sales representatives and generated more than $38 million in multiyear contracts throughout his career. “David’s experience of building relationships, managing high-profile partnerships, and delivering exceptional client service makes him a tremendous addition to our team,” added Klein. “His background and skillset align perfectly with the direction we are heading as a company.” The National Sales Team also includes Chad Catalano, who joined Guarantee Restoration Services in January 2026. Catalano brings nearly two decades of restoration industry experience, with a strong background in sales leadership, project coordination, and relationship development throughout the Southeast and Gulf South regions. Prior to joining GRS, Catalano served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI and spent more than 16 years with US Restoration as a Sales and Project Coordinator. Throughout his career, he has built long-standing partnerships while helping clients navigate complex restoration and recovery projects. In addition to his restoration industry experience, Catalano also spent several years as a successful high school baseball coach in the New Orleans area, earning multiple district championships and Coach of the Year honors. His leadership, communication skills, and client-focused approach make him a valuable addition to the growing national team. Guarantee Restoration Services continues to serve clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama with six locations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans, Louisiana; Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. With the implementation of its National Sales Team, GRS is further expanding its ability to support partners across the country through large-loss response, catastrophe recovery, and national account relationships. The company specializes in water, fire, mold, storm, and biohazard restoration, as well as reconstruction and pre-loss planning services. For more information about Guarantee Restoration Services, visit www.GuaranteeRestoration.com or call 1-800-349-HELP (4357).
By Erik Seagrave July 15, 2026
Learn how Guarantee Restoration Services provides expert reconstruction services in Mobile, AL after water, fire, storm, and property damage. (
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