What to do if you find water damage?
Find and stop the source of the water, keep clear of electrical hazards, photograph the damage, lift belongings out of the wet area and call a restoration company. Do it the same day: moisture spreads into walls and floors fast, and mould can begin to grow within a few days.
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What to do, in order
- Stop the sourceClose the shut-off valve for a leaking fixture or the main valve if you cannot tell. If water is entering from outside, there is nothing to shut off, so focus on the next steps.
- Check for hazardsWater near outlets, a panel or appliances is a shock risk. Stay out and switch off power only if you can do so while dry.
- Photograph everythingTake photos and video of the damage and belongings before moving them, and note the time you found it.
- Move belongingsLift rugs, electronics and papers to dry rooms.
- Call a crewMoisture meters show how far the water went, which is rarely as far as you can see.
Hidden damage is the usual problem
A small stain on a ceiling often means a larger wet area above it. A damp patch on a basement wall can mean the insulation behind it is soaked. In older Etobicoke bungalows and the brick homes along the lake, water can move behind plaster and trim for days before anything shows.
That is why a measured assessment matters more than how things look. Our basement flooding service in Etobicoke and burst pipe service both begin by mapping moisture.
What not to do
- Do not ignore a stain because the water has stopped
- Do not run heaters to dry a wet wall
- Do not use a household vacuum on wet floors
- Do not paint over stains
- Do not walk through water from a drain, since it may be contaminated
A note about older homes
Etobicoke has a lot of homes from the postwar decades and earlier, with plaster walls, original plumbing and basements that were finished long ago. Water in these buildings can travel a long way before it shows, and old materials do not always react the way new ones do.
For that reason, we measure first and cut second, and we remove only what readings say cannot be dried.
Insurance and next steps
Tell your insurer promptly and keep the photographs, readings and receipts. We work with all insurance companies, deal with your adjuster and bill your insurer directly. What your policy pays is for your insurer to decide. Our insurance claims page explains the documents we prepare. The assessment is free, and a written scope and price come before any work.
Related questions
Is a small stain really worth a call?
Yes, because the visible stain is often the smallest part of the wet area.
Can I wait for a plumber first?
You can call both. A plumber stops the source while a restoration crew handles the water.
What if I find the damage after returning from a trip?
Photograph it, shut off the water and call right away. Longer exposure makes mould more likely.
Request a quote
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