RESTORATION BLOG IN TORONTO & GTA

​Winter can be a dangerous time of year for your home. Water can infiltrate your home and cause damage once the temperatures dip below freezing. Water pipes can freeze and burst, ice dams can form on your roof, and melting snow can infiltrate your home. Spend the colder months staying warm and bonding with family and friends instead of worrying about the risk of water damage. Consider this list of things that you can look out for and prepare against before the temperatures get too cold.

In the winter months when the temperatures begin to dip, your water lines become increasingly likely to face catastrophic failure. Water lines that run along outside walls, in attic spaces, or inside of crawl spaces are the most vulnerable to the cold. You will also need to pay close attention to any outside faucets that are not rated for the cold temperatures. If your pipes become cold enough to freeze than it is likely they will burst, like a frozen can of soda pop. This is especially likely for outdated and poorly installed plumbing pipes. Here are a few ways to help you prevent that from happening.

• If any of your faucets supply lines are at an elevated risk of freezing, then you can keep a small stream of water running through them. Even a small steady stream is usually enough to keep the faucet and its water lines from becoming frozen. Keeping the water moving through the pipe will help keep it from freezing.
• Take a good look around your home’s exterior and foundation for sources of infiltration and leaks. Look for cracks or holes which you can seal with silicone. Look for any gaps or obvious points of entry through your siding. If you have an access hole to your crawlspace, then you can seal it up for the winter to help keep the moisture and the cold air out.
• Insulate all the visible water lines, even if they are under your home they can still freeze. You can find a pre-made pipe insulation at most big box stores that will help prevent your pipes from freezing. This may be all the difference that you need this winter.
• Opening cabinet doors that have plumbing behind them will let the warm air from your home circulate around the pipes helping to keep them warm. Remember to put all the chemicals and cleaning materials up where children and animals are unable to bother them.
• You should leave the temperature in your home set at the same temperature through the night as you do the day. If you are lowering the temperature at night, your house may cool off, making it harder for your home to stay warm. Leaving it at one temperature will assure your home stays warm and making it less likely that your pipes are will freeze.
• If your pipes do freeze, then you should shut the water off to your home immediately and call a certified repair company.

Ice dams form when warm air from your attic melts the snow along your roof. The water rolls down into the eaves of your roof where it is cooler, and it can refreeze. Or the water can pool up around clogged gutter systems where it will freeze over and prevent the water and snow from leaving the roof. This leads to water potentially seeping up under your shingles and can causing damage to your roof. You will need to prevent or correct this problem to avoid having potential issues in the future. Here are some ways to help prevent it.

• You should clean and inspect your gutter system regularly to assure that the melted snow can easily roll off your roof and away from your home in a safe and proper manner.
• Installing gutter screens to make sure that your gutters remain clean and clear. Having gutter screens installed will help prevent any future blockages in your gutter drains.
• Make sure that you have an appropriate amount of insulation in your attic. The warm air in your attic is what causes ice dams. Making sure that it is well insulated and not allowing excessive air to leak from the living space is one of the best ways to prevent this issue.
• Make sure that there is proper ventilation in your attic. There should be soffit vents that allow cold air in at the bottom of the attic and roof vents near the peak that allow the warm air to escape. Your attic space should be around 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the temperature outside.
• Removing the snow on your roof once it gets deeper than 6 inches. Excessive snow build-up can put too much pressure on your roof, it can cause the water to seep under the shingles, and it will take much longer for it to melt away.
• When you have a new roof installed you can have a water membrane installed under the roofing which will help prevent any water from being able to leak inside.
• You can also have a snow shield installed with your roofing to help protect your home

When spring arrives, you may have a ton of melting snow to deal with. This can cause a whole list of problems itself. Water will try and seep through your foundation and into your home if you allow it. Here are some ways to avoid this problem.

• Clearing the snow off your roof before it starts to warm up too much. This will prevent ice dams from forming and keep your roof in a better condition for spring without the worry for repair.
• Check your basement regularly for any water seeping through the foundation or burst water lines. You may not realize that a waterline has burst until it has already caused serious damage. Regularly inspect your drain lines and make sure they are not leaking, this can also quickly become a big issue.
• Keep your gutter drains clear and pointed away from your home or into your sewage system. Make sure they currently and continue to drain correctly and are not pooling the water up next to your foundation.
• Shoveling the snow away from your foundation before it melts will help keep a lot of that water and moisture away from it before it has time to seep into your home or potentially cause foundation issues.

Sometimes there are less obvious things that you may need to do to help your home whether in the cold months. Here are a few things that will help make it a little bit easier.

• Disconnect any outdoor hoses. This will prevent them from freezing and breaking the hoses. Once the hose is disconnected from the faucet it will allow you to turn it on just enough that it can avoid freezing. You can also insulate it to try and avoid having any issues.
• Keep an eye out for condensation in your homes. As your heater runs and warms up your home, you may notice that windows, pipes, or maybe even walls have condensation forming on them. This can be a sign of an issue; you will need to lower your homes' humidity by mechanical means or by fixing the issue that is causing the excess in humidity. This could be a sign of a water leak infiltrating your home.
• If there are areas in your home where you are concerned that a leak may happen, like around water lines, water heaters, sump pumps, or drain lines. You can buy and install moisture alarms to alert you if excessive moisture becomes present.
• It is a good idea to look over your water lines yearly to ensure that there are no leaks that you should correct before the cold weather arrives. An already leaking water line is far more likely to burst once the temperatures get below freezing.
• You can also purchase sewer back up insurance. Most insurance plans will not cover it if your sewer backs up into your home. With the excessive amount of water draining into your sewage system from the snow melting it can easily overcome the capabilities of your system. Leading to it backing up into your home and causing much more serious issues.
• Keep an eye on your old water heater is another thing that you should do throughout the winter months. The cold weather can put more pressure on your old water heater which can cause it to leak. Having to heat colder water than normal, longer hotter showers, and more time inside your home puts a lot of strain on older water heaters. 

What do you do when the worst has happened, and you have water damage in your home? Whether you have some water seeping down a wall from the attic caused by an ice dam, or if you have a flooded basement from a frozen and burst water line, you need to call a professional company. A company that can guide you through the entire process from incident to restore. Call GTA Restoration today and let them help you get back to normal

It doesn't matter if your house is old or new, you're bound to face water damage at some point in your life. If you've already experienced a water leak in the past, there is a high chance you'll experience it in the future as well.

Plumbing leaks and water damaged walls are inevitable.

Why? Because the plumbing system in your house is operating non-stop. Pipes and appliances that use water may eventually start leaking due to the constant use. Plumbing leaks waste a lot of water. In fact, over 10,000 gallons of water is wasted every year in an average household's water leaks.

Water damaged walls may also result due to floods and storms. This kind of water damage is easy to identify. However, most of the time, the cause of water damage isn't always so obvious. If left unaddressed, water damage can destroy your plumbing system and cause structural issues to your drywall.

If you found water damaged walls in your house, it's safe to assume there's more damage than you can see on the outside. But the good news is that water damaged walls are repairable. You can call the professionals to repair the damaged walls for you.

Follow these 7 steps to fix the water damaged walls:

• 1.)   Locate the Leak and Fix it

You need to pay attention to your plumbing system and locate any possible water leaks. Faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms, showerheads, hot water heaters, washing machines, refrigerators, freezers, garbage disposals, and dishwashers are prone to leaks.

Use your eyes and ears to detect the water leaks. Look for soft spots and soggy areas, and hear if there is any sound of water leakage. Moreover, you can check your water meter and water bills.

The best way to confirm water leakage is to check your water meter. Turn off all the faucets and appliances that use water. Note your water meter readings. Avoid using water for at least an hour. Now, check the water meter readings again. If the reading is not the same, there's water leakage.

By looking for the above-mentioned signs of water leakage, you easily locate the leak. Once you do that, you have to fix the water leak.

If your faucet is leaking, you can replace the washer and fix the leak. However, if any of the plumbing pipes are leaking, you can apply epoxy putty as a temporary fix.

• 2.) Dry Out the Walls

After fixing the leak, you have to quickly dry out the water damaged walls to prevent further damage. If the wall is damaged due to a small plumbing leak, you can simply use fans to dry out the affected area. Make sure the walls are completely dried.

However, if the wall has absorbed a lot of water, you should get a dehumidifier and some towels. Run the dehumidifier and start blotting the walls carefully. This will help to remove the moisture. But be sure not to press too hard as the drywall will already be too soft.

If the Water Damage Toronto is due to flooding, you should rent out a large-capacity dehumidifier to thoroughly dry out the walls, surrounding wood, and carpets.

• 3.) Remove the Damaged Sections

Next, you have to start removing the damaged sections of the wall. Don't forget to put down tarps and drop cloths. It'll make clean up easier for you because the tarps will catch the removed pieces, dust, and debris.

Now, take drywall saw to cut out the damaged section. Make sure you don't cut any wires or damage the plumbing while cutting the wall. Also, it's important to note that cutting out the damaged part in the shape of a square or a rectangle is highly recommended.

It'll help you fit the patches easily and make the blending of the mud and taping work smoother for you.

How to Manage Damage to Your Home?
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After removing the damaged section, check the studs and insulation to see whether they're completely dry or not.

By doing so, you can prevent the new piece of drywall from getting damaged due to the already present moisture.

• 4.) Get Rid of the Mold

Water damaged drywalls are the perfect breeding spots for molds. Sometimes, the drywall has no structural defects in spite of the water damage. However, there is a high chance it might be infected with black mold growth.

So, once you have removed the damaged sections, disinfect the area and kill the mold. You can use diluted chlorine bleach to get rid of the mold and even the small water stains. Carefully scrub the drywall, and within a few hours, the mold will be killed.

• 5.) Measure and Make Repairs

In the next step, you have to take the measurements of the wall from which the damaged section has been removed. Take 2 to 3 measurements and take the average. You can use this average measurement to cut a replacement piece of drywall. It's better to cut the replacement piece 2-inch longer and 2-inch wider than the hole.

​Now, lay this replacement piece down with the backside facing up. Take a pencil and draw a line by measuring 1-inch from all four sides. Your replacement piece is ready, and it'll fit perfectly.

To fit the replacement piece, you have to place 4 drywall clips around the hole and secure them with a drywall screw. But be careful not to over-tighten the screws. Still, if the replacement piece isn't a perfect fit, place it against the hole and cut it out using a utility knife.

• 6.) Blend the Seams, Prime, and Paint the Repaired Section

Take a mesh or paper tape and put it over the seams. Now, start to apply the first coat of the mud (a.k.a. joint compound). Properly cover the joint and blend the mud. It'll be followed by priming and painting.

​Spread out the mud about 4 to 6-inches from the repaired area and let it dry for 12 to 24 hours. When the first coat is completely dry, wear a dust mask and take fine-grit sandpaper and a sanding block to sand off any ridges and high spots.

You'll have to apply a second coat as well. But before you do that, use a vacuum and wipe off the remaining dust. Now, apply the second coat, blend it properly, and let it dry again for 12 to 24 hours. Again, sand off the ridges.

The dried mud absorbs a lot of moisture, so you need to coat it with a primer that'll effectively seal the area. After that, you can start painting the newly repaired section.

You can either use a roller or paintbrush to paint the repaired area. Pour the paint into the paint tray and coat your paintbrush or roller. Then use a zigzag pattern to paint the surface to give your paint a flat finish.
After blending the seams, priming, and painting, the water damaged wall will be completely fixed.

• 7.) Clean Up

Finally, take a shop vacuum and clean up all the dust and debris. Carefully pick up the tarps you had laid down and be sure not to spread around any pieces, debris, and paint on the tarps. Don't forget to clean the paintbrushes and dispose of all the used paint cans.

You can use warm, soapy water to thoroughly clean the tools, paintbrushes, and roller covers. Once you have done all that, it's time to remove the painter's tape. You can prevent damage to the fresh paint by removing the tape at a 45-degree angle.

If you can't fix the water damaged walls yourself, GTA Restoration can do the job for you. We have a team of licensed and highly-experienced professionals who will expertly assess the water damage, locate the cause, and repair the damaged walls.

​Don't wait until the damage gets worse. Contact us right now and save yourself from a huge emergency plumbing disaster.

• ​Save your life and property.

As we have already mentioned above, water damage seriously affects valuable property and poses risks to lives. It is imperative to call the emergency restoration services and request them to resolve the problem before it gets too late. Calling the emergency restoration service is highly recommended because trying to fix it on your own may temporarily work but, it will not last long. After some time, the black mold would start developing, which would aggravate the problem. 

• Get rid of the leakage.

When there is a permanent solution available, why go for a temporary fix? There are plenty of risks involved with the water damage problem. It is better to get rid of the issue once and for all.
Emergency services by experts technicians can save precious life and valuable property. Quick fixes don’t always work, so it is in your interest to pick your phone and call the emergency plumbing service providers to get rid of the leakage. 

• No more insects and bugs

Harmful insects and bugs nurture in a moist and wet environment. The water accumulation due to leaking pipes serves as the breeding ground for the insects. The attic becomes the perfect place for the bugs when water starts dripping from the ceiling. Permanently solving the leakage problem can prevent the growth of black mold in the attic and, it can prevent the insects and bugs breeding there. 

• Solve your plumbing problems once and for all

There may be many reasons for the poor plumbing. Most of the common reasons for the leakage and water damage are the poor plumbing of the structure. Untrained technicians start the work without a proper examination of the building and the environment of the locality. To make the situation even worse, they use substandard material. 
 
They have done whatever wrong they could. But, now is the time to act rationally without wasting even a single minute. Book an appointment with the consultant or make a phone call to the immediate response team to fix all the plumbing issues of your building. 

• Save your hard-earned money.

Eventually, it is the money that matters. Hiring unprofessional technicians and using substandard material in plumbing will not save you money. These practices will cause you to lose in the long run. It is always better to hire a highly trained team of professionals for a permanent and lasting solution. 
 
As soon as water damage and leakage happen, contact the emergency restoration services to fix the issue before black mold develops. Any further delay will cost you extra because the water damages everything that comes in its way.

Again, we’re super glad you asked. So, wastewater from bathrooms and laundries eventually ends up in polluted sewer pipelines. If you face sewage related problems often, chances are that the area you live in does not have proper sewage cleaners and maintenance supplies. In that case, the accumulated water starts developing fungi and other microbial germs, which degenerate water molecules and convert them into harmful compounds.

​The absolute lack of fresh air exchange due to pipelines being fully covered can lead to sewage contamination, which ends up affecting the quality of the pipes, eroding its internal surfaces.

Sewage contamination can directly disturb your freshwater supplies, as contaminated water has a smirky and unpleasant smell, which readily diffuses through your entire house and neighborhood. Sewage mainly consists of water, biological waste, and chemicals from detergents.

They all add up and form deadly compounds and mixtures that can affect your health and cause respiratory problems. Sewage contamination problems are just not limited to houses and apartments. The high influx of wastewater from public buildings and hotels increases the volume of stagnant water, leading to severe contamination.

Sewage should be removed and disinfected to eliminate the chances of unwanted diseases. Chemicals such as ammonia, nitrates, Sulphur, and phosphorus add up to form sewage waste and release harmful gases in nature.

When a sever is left exposed to a residential or commercial area, it causes environmental pollution and damages all vulnerable infrastructure and holdings. If the sewage is being removed and transported to landfill sites, it should be done according to standard operating procedures. Exposed and leftover sewage contains bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbial elements.

If you’ve somehow managed to come face to face with an uncertain situation, here’s a golden tip to remember: do not try to clean up the mess on your own--just don’t.

Instead, it is advisable to call up a professional sewage cleanup services and let them handle the issue for you. Professional cleaners and disaster management services employ field experts who are well-versed in how to handle these situations and have gone through professional training to acquire their licenses.

Looking for professional sewage cleanup services in Toronto? Our team won’t disappoint you! Contact us today.

Here’s the thing; cleaning up remains and sewage by yourself might seem easy, but it is not! Proper handling of solid waste and sewage should be done before it has been transported or cleaned. We, humans, are prone to deadly diseases and viruses when exposed to sewage material and garbage.

It is vital to treat all infected and affected areas to prevent biohazards such as parasites, mold, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A simple sewer backup can cause many uncertain hassles and disturb your daily life.

​If the sewage has accumulated on your bathroom or kitchen floor, try to close that parameter before starting the proper sewage cleanup process:

The mentioned Standard Operating Protocols should be followed to sustain the environment and complete the tedious sewage cleanup process:

1. Evacuate the Perimeter: When a sewer line or a plumbing fixture explodes, evacuate the entire area. Aged senior citizens, children, and pets should be removed and shifted to another room or space.
2. Shutdown all Utilities: If you or your area has faced an enormous sewer backup, call for a shutdown, and eliminate the risks of short circuits and gas leaks. Ensure the freshwater supplies are safe and are shut down temporarily. Your contaminated sewage waste must not penetrate through freshwater supplies and Ro purifiers.
3. Dewatering and Removal: Removal of contaminated sewage water should be done by dewatering pumps, which can infiltrate through narrow plumbing accessories and remove the blockage. If an interruption in water pipes causes the sewage blockage, try to consult a plumber and remove the blockage. A simple metallic object or a plastic toy can be the reason for the massive blockage, leading to the accumulation of biological waste and sewage contamination. After all the water is removed, then only try to address the backup and unclog the sewer drain.
4. Removal of Debris: After the area is cleaned up and dried, remove debris and large objects affecting the cleanup process. If a sewage cluster is accumulated inside your house, remove all vulnerable furniture and other items. The affected materials should be removed and dumped, as they contain germs and viruses. All soil and shovel dirt should be gathered in disposable plastic bags and directly tossed in the garbage.
5. Cross Ventilation: When the process of cleanup starts, try to open all windows and doors in the surrounding. The incoming fresh air would settle down, and the unpleasant odor would escape into the external environment. Remove the sunshade and blinds, so the sun's direct heat and light energy can penetrate through the sewage mold and kill unwanted bacteria and germs.
6. Removal of Uncontaminated Items: If by chance any furniture or object remains uncontaminated, cover it or try to remove it from the parameter. All food, vegetables, utensils, and crockery should be removed from the scene.
7. Chlorination: Chlorinate the area with proper disinfectants and chlorine to counter the spread of bacteria and germs in the surrounding. Spraying of disinfectants would eliminate unseen micro organism which can decompose in your environment and cause health problems.
8. Unclogging of Drains: If you have identified the blockage's reason, start planning how to tackle it. Use proper tools and safety equipment while opening and dismantling the drain or the pipe. Do not break the source directly; ensure your main water supply is turned down and no water is flowing in the line. For this purpose, call trained plumbing engineers and labor, removing the blockage without causing any more damages. Removing the blockage is a tedious and most challenging job, as you never know when underground conceal pipes burst and tear apart. Use specific tools to dismantle the pipeline from another end, and then try to push in vacuums, which can suck the dirt and small particles. Use wired hangers if a metal or an object causes the blockage. If the blockage is in your sink drain, pour hot boiling water and dishwashing detergent with it. This might be effective and clear the drain, dissolving the blockage. Use plunger in worse situations to extract the clogged particles, and add strong acids to eliminate the bottleneck within few minutes. After your sewer line or drain pipes are cleared, wash them thoroughly with a steady supply of fresh and clear water. 
9. Screwup Pipe Fittings: After final inspection, cover all channels and pipe fittings, and ensure you tighten them using sufficient tools and adhesives. Look for any unwanted leakages or bursts that might erode shortly and cause more problems. Run all safety and maintenance checks after your sewage lines and conveyance pipe fittings are in order and ready to be operational again.
10. Air Fresheners and Disinfectants: After a severe sewage backup, you need to apply air fresheners which can readily infiltrate air particles and spread a sweet fragrance. If the sewage outburst was on a town level, it is advisable by authorities to have that entire town fumigated by air fresheners and disinfectant sprays. It is imperative to eliminate foul odor before it starts to affect the fresh air in the environment.
11. Structural Drying: Removal of moisture from wooden and concrete surfaces is the process of structural drying. Vacuum cleaners and high-intensity blowers are used to dry the entire house or area. Moisture settles on surfaces exposed which were exposed to floods and sewage backups. To remove moisture and dry the whole surface, you require centrifugal air exhausts and high-volume axial fans. It would be best if you got your structural drying immediately done, as mold and moisture settle onto wood fixtures and decompose them completely.

Sewage backups are a serious concern, and should be addressed on a priority basis. If a sewage backup affects a home or an entire vicinity, professional sewage backup services must be immedietly called. A contaminated sewage backup contains infected biohazards, which can quickly transfer via nostrils and mouth through inhalation. Bacterial fungi can start affecting human skin, causing rough patches and skin diseases.

Contaminated sewage backup can cause severe health problems such as Hepatitis, Dermatitis, Weils disease, Legionnaires Disease, Gastroenteritis, Allergic Alveolitis, and Asthama. The spread of bacterial microbes is likely to infiltrate through the respiratory tract, causing breathing and respiratory problems. Senior citizens and kids are most at risk when a sewage backup occurs in homes or nearby areas. The ones having weak respiratory tracts are advised to wear protective masks and take safety precautions. Parasites, mold, bacteria, fungi, and viruses are found in contaminated sewage waste. Untreated sewage waste damages vital organs; the Liver, Kidneys, and bloodstream. Pathogens from sewage waste can seep through skin pores, causing itching and patches on your skin.

Sewer gas poisoning is widespread in areas, which are affected by severe flooding and rainfalls. Hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous gas released from contaminated sewage waste and smells like rotten eggs. Sewer gas causes instant eye irritation, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

Blackwater is composed of chemicals and biological wastes, including feces, urine,and anal cleansing water. Blackwater contains pathogens and other microbial substances which can directly affect your health and property. Wastewater is a composition of blackwater and grey-water.

If the blackwater is not treated immediately, it may cause severe health concerns and can sometimes even result in death. To remove blackwater and its bacteria, you need professional disinfectant and cleaning services, where providers can make adequate use of chemical acids to neutralize the impact.

Exposure to blackwater can sometimes even cause deady infections and complications due to parasites and bacteria.

While performing sewage cleanup activities, individuals must wear personal protective gears that include; rubber boots, gloves, and face shield.

Cleaning equipment and clothes should be cleaned and sanitized with proper disinfectants and chemicals. The workers and the general public should be wearing personal protective gear to protect themselves from poisonous gases and toxins.

It is important to start fresh, discard all disposable items which got affected by sewage backup. Home-canned food in the refrigerator should be removed, as the odor is most likely to get settled in home-packed edibles.

Unpacked items, which were left exposed to the polluted environment should be discarded. Fruits, vegetables, bakery items, and liquids should be discarded. Items that smell foul should be avoided and discarded in plastic bags.

Final Words:

Sewage cleanup is a challenging and technical task. You require commercial cleanup services to provide you prompt and professional services.

During the process of sewage cleanup, the general public should cooperate with cleaners and supervisors. Contaminated sewage waste should be cautiously removed and transported to a dumping site.

It is advisable to use environmentally friendly materials which do not affect the discharge of water. Clogging and blockage of drains and sewers are caused due to our negligence. To have a sustainable water supply process, we need to ensure that we reduce the use of substances that are likely to accumulate and be the reason for the blockage.

Dispose of all edible waste, which is greasy and expands when exposed to water.

For more information on our services contact us at  416-358-6666 or visit us @ www.GTARestoration.com – 24-hour Services: Emergency Plumber Toronto, Water Damage, Fire Damage, Flooded Cleanup, Mold Removal or www.GTARestoration.net – 24-hr Emergency Service: www.PlumberTorontoLTD.com, Emergency Plumber Toronto, Water Damage Restoration, Fire Restoration, Flooded Basement Cleanup, Mold Remediation – serving Toronto & the GTA
 
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Water damage can leave you with a costly bill and can result in irreversible damage. Fortunately, there are some common signs to look out for, so you can catch it early if it does happen and get it repaired as soon as possible. ​

If your floors are looking a little odd and not as they used to, trust your gut as it may be water damage. What constitutes odd? You may notice that your floors are what experts call ‘cupping’. This is when the sides of your floorboards are higher than the centre of the floorboards. This generally occurs when moisture builds up inside the wood and swells it while weighing down the centre. You will notice the opposite effect when too much moisture is removed from the floorboards and they shrink. In addition, your hardwood floors can ‘crown’ which is the opposite of cupping. Moisture builds up inside the boards and the centre of the wood is higher than the sides of the wood. 
 
If you notice your hardwood floors ‘buckling’ than this could be a sign of water damage. When your hardwood flooring buckles, the wood will lift from the subflooring several inches in multiple places or one. 
 
You must take into consideration how your wood flooring was installed. Sometimes it is not due to water damage at all, but to wear and tear and improper installation. Hardwood flooring needs time to get used to the environment and the elements it will be exposed to. If this doesn’t happen and it is installed before it is ready, cupping, crowning, and buckling can occur as well. ​

Take a look at your ceilings and floors and take note of any stains. Feel your carpets as well and if they are wet to the touch, that is definitely a sign that a leak has occurred and there may be water damage. If the stains on your ceilings are yellow or brown and are various shapes and sizes, that is a sign of water damage. Take note of where the stain is as well. If the stain is underneath your bathroom where the toilet or shower is, that increases the chances of it being water damage from a leak. ​

A tell-tale sign that there is water damage in your home is mold as mold can only develop if there is a source of moisture. You may find mold spores on your hardwood floors, inside the wall and outside the wall, and on the ceiling. Check your basement thoroughly as well as most people find Mold there. It can be a variety of colours, the most common being black mold. Keep in mind that no mold does not mean you are safe from water damage and it doesn’t exist. Mold is highly dangerous to your health and can even lead to death with long-term exposure, so it is not an issue to be taken lightly. 
 
For most cases, Mold Damage will only begin to grow if the source of the water damage has been damp for a long time. In this case, you may have water damage long before you notice it.

What to do in Water Damage due Flooding event
With climate change forecasted we result in more floods and water damage to infrastructure, we all need to be ready to deal with the problem, should it happen to you.
 
GTA Restoration, who specialize in flood damage restoration work in Toronto & GTA, are stressing how important it is for local residential and commercial property owners and tenants, to know what to do and prevent Flooding.
 
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) set out the following step-by-step guidelines to follow, to stay safe and protect your property as much as you can.

1. If a flood is imminent

• If you have a flood plan, follow it carefully
• Tune into your local radio station on a battery or wind-up radio for information, or contact the 24 hour Flood and Water Damage Emergency line @ 1 800 506 6048
• Switch off your electricity / gas supplies
• Move vehicles to higher ground if it is safe to do so
• Move furniture, pets and important items to safety, 1st floor areas if convenient and accessible

2. Stay alert to localised flooding

Local flooding’ is also known as ‘surface Water Damage due flooding’. This might usually occur where all drainage systems are unable to cope with super heavy spells of rainfall. NRW are unable to provide prior warning about this type of flooding, so it is worth checking your local weather forecasts for such predictions.

3. Remember – Floodwater is dangerous

Did you know that it can take just 6 inches of fast flowing water to knock you over and just 2 feet of water will float your car, so:

• Be aware that flooding can cause manhole covers to come off, exposing to a hidden danger
• Be aware that bridges sometime may be dangerous to walk or drive over
• Do not try to walk or drive through in high level of water from flood.
• Do not let children play in flooding water
• Do not walk on defences or riverbanks
• Look out always for hazards, such as fallen power lines or trees
• Wash your hands thoroughly always if you have touched flood and water as it may be contaminated


4. What to do after a flood

• Assess whether it is safe to return to your property: (check first with the local emergency services)
• Watch out for hidden dangers in floodwater, such as sharp objects, raised manhole covers and pollution
• Be aware that flood water might have caused structural damage to your property
• Remember that flood water can contain hazardous sewage, chemicals and animal waste.
• Check with the local emergency services that it is safe before returning to your flood damaged property
 

5. Ring your buildings and contents insurance company as soon as possible to prepare for flood damage restoration

• In almost all most cases, the insurance company dos send a loss adjuster to look at your property. They will confirm what repairs and replacements are needed for your property and what elements are covered by your policy. Ask if they will help you by paying for repairs that can reduce potential flood or water damage and therefore reduce costs if it happens again
• If you rent your property, contact your landlord and check if you’re covered for your contents insurance company as soon as possible
• If you don’t have insurance, contact your local council and they should be able to provide information on hardship grants or charities that may be able to help you


6. Consult your local flood and water damage restoration experts

In the event that you experience flood damage in your property, your best course of action is to seek the advice of flood and water damage restoration experts, like GTA Restoration
 
GTA Restoration will be able to return the property to its pre-incident condition or much better as quickly as possible, by working with GTA Restoration Group you will be minimizing any secondary damage, efficiently and effectively, with minimum of disruption.
 
Flood damage is a process that can have serious consequences for the structure and integrity of your property, if the operation is not handled by restoration experts in this field.
 
Call GTA Restoration North York branch for help, advice or action, 24-hours a day on 800-506-6048