How to prevent or reduce water damage

Ninety percent of the house damage is the cause of water damage and flooding. Cracked water pipes are a major giver to that figure. Electronic items are ruined. Rugs, curtains and clothes are damaged. Electric shock risk is significantly increased. At the very least, you'll spend days cleaning up the mess, getting relieved of the emerging mildew smell and getting your pipes fixed so you can restart your water service.

There are steps you can take to help reduce the chance of your property being damaged by water.

You can:

1. keep floor drains clear of blockage;2. Organize to have someone examine your property if you are going to be absent from

home for more than three days;3. Verify that there is correct grading around your home;4. Place a sump pump;5. Place backflow valves or plugs for drains, toilets and other sewer connections to

block water from entering the home;6. Save important documents and irreplaceable personal objects (such as photographs)

where they will not get damaged;7. If you will be away from home during the winter for more than 3 days, drain the

plumbing or arrange to have someone come in daily and evaluate your home to ensure that your heat is still on.

8. Upgrade furnaces, hot water heaters and electrical panels in the basement on masonry or relocate these objects; and

9. Ignore finishing areas like basements that may be prone to flooding.

After you find water…

Be aware!

Do not turn on any electrical switches until your electrical system has been evaluated. Turn off your main switch by standing on a dry surface and using a piece of heavy rubber, plastic or dry wood. If you have gas service, check for fumes. If you notice an odour, call the gas company as soon as possible.

Protect it

Take steps immediately to protect your property from further damage. Board up holes or shut off water supplies to make sure your belongings are not spoiled more than they have been. Place items out of wet basements and away from flooded parts of your home. Save receipts for materials you use. Your insurance company will cover any reasonable costs related with safeguarding your property if the loss is covered by the policy.

Call your insurance representative

Let your insurance representative know what has happened as soon as possible. This representative will begin to work with you to ensure the damage is assessed, your insurance company is notified and you are compensated as fast as possible if the loss is covered by the policy.

Health hazards

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home may come out to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and minimize moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and mould. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions and continue to harm materials long after the flood.

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