Water Damage FAQs – Expert Answers

Should I Call My Insurance Company First After a Flood?

Your first call after a flood should be to a property restoration company such as Canstar. The earlier you call us, the sooner we can begin the flood damage restoration and cleanup process. While calling your insurance company is essential to filing a claim, you don’t need to wait for one of their adjusters to arrive before removing water from your property. Our experienced crew will arrive quickly to perform a thorough inspection. We won’t begin any work until we receive your permission.

What Are Common Signs of Water Damage?

Water damage is not always apparent, but the most common signs include water leaks, flooring or carpet dampness, peeling paint or dark spots on walls or ceilings, mould growth, roof damage, musty odours, or the sound of running water. If you’ve noticed a recent unexplained increase in your water bills, it could also be time for a closer inspection. We specialize in leak detection services to help you isolate problem areas and treat them before they worsen.

What Should You Do When You Notice Water Damage?

The most important thing to do is to locate the water’s source and, if possible, stop its flow. Call a plumber or property restoration company immediately. If it’s safe to do so, remove items from the affected area. You may want to open your windows to help reduce the humidity while you wait for our property restoration specialists to arrive. Call your insurance company to begin the claims process.

What’s Involved in the Water Damage Restoration Process?

Water damage restoration involves extracting water from the affected area, followed by the drying and dehumidification process. You can rest assured we won’t move on to the next phase until we ensure everything is truly dry. Depending on the extent of the damage, we may need to deep-clean carpets or furniture to get rid of unpleasant odours, remove affected drywall or flooring, clean air ducts, remove mould growth, and make other necessary water damage repairs. Canstar Fire and Flood utilizes state-of-the-art equipment, including thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, air scrubbers, truck-mounted extractors, and dehumidifiers, to monitor your property’s humidity and moisture levels.

How Long Does the Water Damage Restoration Process Take?

The amount of time needed for water damage restoration depends on the extent and source of your water damage, current weather conditions, and how quickly we began the process after the damage occurred. The drying process usually takes at least 4-6 days, but we can’t provide an estimated completion date until we do an inspection. Although your carpets may feel or look dry, the padding and subfloors underneath may still be wet. If structural repairs and deep cleaning are necessary, the entire process may take weeks. However long it takes, you can expect clear communication from our company.

Do I Need to Leave During Water Damage Restoration Services?

The decision to remain on property or seek alternative shelter during the water damage restoration process is up to you. It’s typically safe to stay, but many property owners find the experience uncomfortable or disruptive due to the noisy equipment involved. If you have pets or small children, supervision may be required. You may wish to check with your insurance provider to see what’s included in your policy, as some plans may reimburse you for any temporary living expenses.

What Are the Risks of Delaying or Ignoring Property Restoration?

It’s best to take immediate action if you’ve experienced flooding or water damage. Water not only ruins furniture and carpets – it can lead to significant structural deterioration. Water damage repairs may become more extensive the longer you wait to address them. Ignoring excess moisture or humidity in your building can lead to mould growth within 24-48 hours. While you could handle water damage on your own, it can be difficult to determine the source and extent of the damage without specialized equipment. Leave it up to our professionals at Canstar Fire and Flood!

Are There Different Categories of Water From Flooding?

Whether your basement has flooded due to a heavy storm, burst pipe, or roof leak, there are various classifications of flood water. Two of these types present imminent danger to those on your property, so you should be aware of their differences:

• Clean Water – Clean water usually comes from somewhere inside your home or business, such as a sink overflow or a washing machine malfunction. As the name suggests, this type of water damage isn’t harmful to people.
• Greywater – Greywater contains some chemical, physical, or biological contamination and may cause harm or illness to people.
• Black Water – Black water is extremely unsanitary and harmful to people because it contains various chemical, physical, or biological contamination sources and pathogens. This type of water damage usually comes from sewage backups, ground surface water, or seawater.