Provider profile
Drytech
Provider snapshot
What this listing says
Pelham and Birmingham-area homeowners facing water damage who want a veteran-owned company that handles mitigation, mold remediation, and full reconstruction under one roof with direct insurance coordination.
Best for
- Pelham, Hoover, and Birmingham-area homeowners dealing with water damage who want one company from emergency dryout through finished reconstruction.
- Insurance-claim jobs where you want a project manager who will submit estimates, talk to your adjuster, and fight for full coverage on your behalf.
- Properties needing both water damage restoration and mold remediation on the same job, since Drytech handles both in-house.
- Homeowners who want a veteran-owned, locally operated company rather than a national franchise.
- Commercial or residential properties needing asbestos abatement alongside restoration work.
About this company
Drytech is a veteran-owned restoration company headquartered in Pelham, Alabama, serving the greater Birmingham metro. Their primary identity is water damage restoration, but they also handle fire damage, mold remediation, asbestos abatement, sewage cleanup, and reconstruction. They run a sister company called Steamtech for carpet and duct cleaning. They offer SteraMist, a hospital-grade disinfection system, as an add-on service.
What stands out is the single-company pipeline from emergency dryout through full rebuild. Multiple reviewers confirm Drytech handled both the mitigation and the reconstruction on the same job, eliminating the handoff between separate contractors. They assign a named project manager to each job, and the reviews show those PMs actively manage insurance claims, submit estimates, and negotiate with adjusters on the homeowner's behalf. They also offer financing through Acorn Finance, which is unusual for a restoration company.
Drytech holds IICRC credentials and displays EPA Registered and TSN (The Safety Net) member badges on their site. The company is locally owned and describes itself as veteran-owned. Owner Ken appears by name in multiple reviews as personally involved in jobs, from initial assessments to navigating insurance disputes.
A 4.9-star rating across 237 Google reviews is exceptional. That volume and consistency indicate a company operating at a high level across many jobs and many project managers. The few complaints that exist are isolated incidents, not systemic failures.
Services
Service area
Headquartered in Pelham, Alabama, south of Birmingham. Reviewers reference jobs across the Birmingham metro including Hoover, Trussville, Calera, and Alabaster. One reviewer's account places the service area between Hoover, Birmingham, Trussville, and Calera. The website broadly claims Alabama coverage but operates from a single Pelham location. Confirm response times for areas outside the immediate Birmingham metro.
Review consensus
Ralph Slate is the most frequently named employee across the reviews. Reviewers describe him as the project manager who calls after hours and on weekends, manages insurance claims end to end, and walks homeowners through every decision. At least a dozen separate customers name Ralph with consistently strong praise. Clint Barnett draws similar praise as a project manager who handles insurance negotiation, flooring selections, and paint choices while keeping communication tight. Brandon Moore gets repeat mentions for fast initial mitigation response and plumber-referral follow-through. Cody Cleckler shows up after hours and on holiday weekends for mitigation. Bill Stevens handles construction project management and gets praised for product knowledge and going beyond the scope. Corey handles initial mitigation and gets credit for quick mobilization. Roberto and his crew are named repeatedly for fast, clean installation work, particularly flooring. Ken, one of the owners, appears in reviews personally assessing damage and connecting homeowners with the right project manager. Rue gets strong praise for initial inspections and helping customers file insurance claims on the spot. Reviewers consistently highlight two themes: insurance navigation (multiple reviewers say Drytech handled their entire insurance process) and personal responsiveness from named project managers.
4 found across 237 total reviews at 4.9★. Two 1-star reviews exist in the recent window. The first, from Gladiator Gaming (a Local Guide with 33 reviews), describes confusing pricing on a water damage estimate and alleges the company wanted work done before involving insurance. The owner responded with specific context: this was a second review attempt by a family member on behalf of the homeowner, the homeowner had apologized and asked for the review to be removed previously, and the company has text message evidence of clear communication. The second, from Ivan (2 reviews), provides no detail beyond "I do not recommend this company." The owner responded that this review and two others from the same day were related to an employee's driving behavior, not service quality, and the driving issue was addressed internally.
The communication breakdown described in Christi Bria's 2-star review (equipment errors plus three weeks of ghosting) is the most substantive complaint in the dataset. The owner's response acknowledged the failure directly, apologized, and said the issue would be addressed at multiple levels. A follow-up note indicates the company tried to reach the customer afterward. This stands out because nearly every other review praises Drytech's communication as a core strength. The 1-star reviews are weaker as evidence: one involves a disputed family situation with contradicting accounts, and the other appears to be about an employee's driving rather than service. The owner responds to 100% of recent negative reviews, and the responses engage with specifics rather than using templates. Donna Roehrig's 3-star review praises Rue's initial visit but criticizes a dismissive email about the estimate. The owner apologized but the response was brief. Sandy Chatfield's 5-star review also notes initial communication complaints that were resolved when Peyton and Noah showed up.
Ralph Slate (project manager — praised extensively across 12+ reviews for responsiveness, insurance handling, and after-hours availability). Clint Barnett (project manager — praised across 8+ reviews for detail orientation, insurance negotiation, and clear communication). Brandon Moore (mitigation lead — praised for fast response and being a reliable first call). Cody Cleckler (mitigation lead — praised for after-hours and holiday response). Bill Stevens (construction project manager — praised for product knowledge and going beyond scope). Corey (mitigation lead — praised for quick mobilization and oversight). Christian (restoration project manager — praised for responsiveness and fast turnaround). Peyton/Payton Woodall (project manager — praised for helpfulness and listening). Roberto (contractor/installer — praised for fast, clean installation work). Ken (owner — praised for personal involvement, fast assessments, and insurance advocacy). Rue (inspector/initial assessment — praised for walkthroughs, insurance help, and customer comfort). Jonathan (mitigation/front-end — praised for insurance coordination). Adam (mitigation — praised for process explanation and comfort). Michael (mitigation/field — praised for communication and returning calls). Harry (mitigation — praised for courteous fast work). Spencer (mitigation — praised alongside Clint for restoration work). Greg (construction — praised for attention to detail and going above and beyond). Julius (installer — praised for flooring installation). Toney (repair technician — praised for craftsmanship). Adrie (crew member — praised for impressive work under Ralph). Jaime (crew member — praised alongside Adrie). Kaley (customer service — praised for pleasant communication). Noah (field tech — praised for efficiency). Davione (field tech — praised for professionalism). Kareem (field tech — praised for expertise). Brian (installer — praised for shower installation). Delaney (coordinator — praised for long-term project support).
Ask for Ralph Slate or Clint Barnett as your project manager if your job involves insurance. Both have deep track records of managing claims and keeping homeowners informed. For initial mitigation, Brandon Moore and Cody Cleckler get the fastest-response mentions. Get a written communication plan and timeline at the start of the job, since the one serious complaint in 237 reviews centered on a communication gap during the dryout phase.
Keep in mind
- One reviewer described equipment errors during dryout (improperly hooked equipment, a disconnected hose causing water buildup) and then three weeks of no follow-up communication. The owner acknowledged the communication failure and apologized. This is a one-off complaint, but it involved real operational mistakes.
- Mold remediation is not their primary service. They are a water damage restoration company that also does mold work. If you have a standalone mold problem with no water damage history, a mold-focused company may fit better.
- One reviewer received an estimate email with wording she found dismissive, saying no one wanted to do the work in her conditions. The owner apologized but did not explain the specific wording. Ask for clear written scope and communication expectations upfront.
- Several reviews mention projects taking longer than expected, even when the final result was good. Set timeline expectations early and get a written schedule.
- The website claims 24/7 availability across water, fire, mold, and asbestos services for all of Alabama, which is broad for a single-location company in Pelham. Confirm response times for locations outside the Birmingham metro.