Understanding Emergency Water Damage in Toronto

Unforeseen water intruding into our homes from different sources, damaging it or some of our belongings and putting our health at risk is what emergency water damage in Toronto is all about.

It is actually one of the common health and property hazard given the water-related weather conditions coming in all year round like heavy rain, storms and snow. Heavy rain plus high tide or quickly melting snow increases the chances of flooding and thus increases the risk of water damages. These damages may cost us hundreds of dollars or in extreme cases, our health. Thus, it is important for us to better understand emergency water damage.

Causes

When excess or too much water pool in an area there is what causes water damage. Examples of which are as follows:

• Overflowing gutter. Gutters main purpose is to direct water flowing from the roof edges down to pipes then to public waterbeds. Now, when the gutter can no longer hold the volume of water to the pipes or when debris such as leaves and branches clog or block the water way and stops the regular flowing of water. Chances are the water runoff on the edges of the gutter, or creates a leak down side of our homes, wet and eventually deteriorate our walls or worse flood our basements.

• Leaking or bursting pipes. Pipes leak or burst for various reasons. Pipes may be already old and rusty, thus it is prone to leaking. Plants on our yards may have grown roots on sewer lines and eventually squeezed to burst the pipes. Probably, it’s freezing cold out there that pipes burst. The problem with pipes is that they are usually beneath our floors or grounds or walls that it is unnoticeable, so when it leaks or bursts, the chances of us detecting it is low, and little by little it will damp the surface, deteriorates it and worse, molds may thrive on that area giving us much more problem.

• Natural weather phenomenon. Heavy rains, flash floods, and storms can all elicit water build up and enter our homes and establishments. Problem with this is that we have no control over it.

Categories

The severity of damage usually depends on the following water category that cause the damage

• Category 1 or Clear Water. This is clean water that leaves it source usually through leaking or bursting pipes. This does not pose harm to human health if immediately addressed but may degrade if not, and may leave water marks or stains to affected belongings, thus it is necessary that we have the affected area assessed.

• Category 2 or Gray Water. This water contains microorganisms usually from broken toilets or sump pumps or appliances or seepage from in-house waterbeds like aquariums. When consumed, this may cause serious digestive problem. While to properties, this may cause immediate rotting of woods or rusting of steel. Thus it is essential that we have the affected part assessed and cleaned up.

• Category 3 or Black Water. This water is abhorrently contaminated as it may contain fecal, animal discharges and other harmful bacteria and fungi from sewage and seawater, which may cause severe ailments and even casualty. Therefore it is indispensable that we have the affected area assessed and thoroughly cleaned up, and have the damaged materials restored or replaced.

Now we understand this predicament, it is necessary that we get the services of skilled and licensed restoration companies to attend to our emergency water damage in Toronto since this is a health and property issue.

In good condition or not, handling asbestos must be done with due diligence, due to its toxicity and known classification as carcinogen, that is why it is a must that you hire an asbestos removal company in Toronto. Before doing so, check on the following criteria immediately.

They can inspect and assess.

You don’t need to wait for disasters to damage your properties before you will know if your home and establishment has asbestos. Licensed abatement companies can test your home and workplace, especially if those were built in mid-eighties, because at that time asbestos were still lauded as fireproof substance very suitable in building homes and buildings.

If you are planning to renovate or improve your homes, have your areas inspected as well, so as not to endanger the workers from the risk of exposure. So before you do any move, have your properties inspected first so you can properly deal with whatever the results give you.

They should be prompt.

Asbestos Removal Company may arrive in less than an hour. While they are on their way yet, it is important to note that during emergency situations, always protect yourselves and family from inhalation by putting on a mask that covers your nose and mouth first, then let everyone leave at once. To prevent for further exposure, wet your suspected damaged asbestos range and its surroundings because when they are wet, they will less likely become airborne, then leave or go somewhere safer.

They must be health and safety licensed.

In Northern America there is Institute of Inspection, Restoration and Cleaning Certifications (IICRC) who sets standards in inspection restoration and cleaning industries. An abatement company licensed by IICRC adheres to the world class standards set by the said non-profit organization. Surely their technicians successfully completed the clean trust programs of IICRC and passed the exam, thus licensed to do the job. To maintain their certifications and licenses, they are required to earn continuing education credits to ensure that they are up to date on the latest trends in cleaning, inspection and restoration industry. Thus, always ask if they are IICRC licensed and certified, so you will be assured that that company will put stakeholders’ safety first more than anything else.

They offer other restoration and cleaning services.

Most likely, after a thorough inspection and assessment, an expert technician will identify or discover other property problems that may harm your health or must be addressed to prevent further damage on your homes like, mold infestation, water leaks, and dirty carpets and so on. It is important then that your asbestos removal company also offers other services so that you can have all your problems addressed all at once, especially if you need to temporarily leave your home because they have to contain every part of it and if you have an insurance to claim, documentations and data gathering will be performed at the same time. Everything will come easy for you.

So before you contract an asbestos removal company in Toronto, check if they inspect and assess, if they are prompt, if they are licensed and their technicians are certified and that they offer other restoration and cleaning services.

Things You Must Know about Emergency Water Damage in Toronto

Water is an essential part of life, however it can also cause loss, so water issues must be immediately addressed, and here are the things you must know about emergency water damage in Toronto.

Water damages comes in 3 different classifications and they are as follows:

Clear Water

The first category is the water that comes into our homes, at least until it leaves its source. It is also called sanitary water because it does not pose any major health issues to us. We usually use it to wash our clothes, our dishes, ourselves, water our plants and in fact we can safely drink most of it.

But, as soon as clear water leaves its source like the pipes, it can leak and can be easily contaminated and depreciate to category two or three. You will easily notice it when it is no longer clear due to pollutants and soil mixed to it and it has foul odor.

Gray Water

The second category, is called gray water as its color suggests, it is polluted clean water and most probably already foul smelling. It is usually waste water generated in households like waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines overflow water from a waterbed like aquariums except without fecal contamination, and thus, no longer safe for consumption but worth reusing. However, reusing greywater must be properly done.

Still, like clear water, gray water will deteriorate into toxic water if left unattended and become harmful to our family and can damage our belongings.

Black Water

The third category is called black water as its color suggests is extremely toxic and can be fatal. Most probably it contains unsanitary agents, bacteria and fungi from fecal, heavy metals, pesticides, raw sewage, or deadly organic substances. Unlike the first and second category, black water may come from rising sewage, seawater, rivers, or ground surface. Toilet backflows from toilet traps and stagnant grey water are classified as black water too.

Effects of Water Damage

If left unattended, water is dreadful. It may seep on your carpet, damage structural walls, floorings and furniture, appliances and so on. It also promotes mold growth, which further damages your property and adds to the risk of ingesting toxic water, is the health hazards brought by molds.

Best Thing to Do

If you find yourself in an emergency water case, contact a company offering water damage restoration services in Toronto. They are equipped in handling any water problem from sewage leaks management to water extraction and clean-up process. They have well-trained technicians and proper tools and equipment to remove sewer water, mud and sewer from inside and under your home or office. Plus they take all precautionary measures for everyone’s safety including treating infected areas to prevent spread of biohazards such as mold, fungi, parasites, viruses and bacteria.

All water damage must be attended immediately. Fortunately, there are companies offering restoration, repairs and clean-up of emergency water damage in Toronto with trained technicians and advanced equipment, and protective gear to reinstate your property and especially, your safety from the fatal effects of water damages.

Hassle-free Mold Removal Services in Toronto

The current generation of home and business owners is really blessed because of the availability of mold removal services in Toronto now.

Mold invasion is one tough problem since time immemorial. Before, people had to put themselves at risk of inhaling mold spores just to get rid of visible molds. Little do they know that mold related problems are best handled by equipped technicians due to their characteristics? For example, they are air-borne, so they can’t be seen by our naked eyes and thus only proper testing apparatus can detect their presence in the air.

Another is that molds thrive when there is moisture, which is most probably on those parts of our homes and establishments which we barely see. Even if we have tools ready, those are not the right tools to use to remove those, worst is, if we insist on using those riggings, we might further damage the invaded area or put the integrity of the structure questionable and contaminate the gears as well.

Another characteristic that must be pointed out is that molds continue to grow on surfaces we cannot always see and multiply rapidly over hours, thus it should be removed fast but with accuracy to prevent it from spreading, and only a well-trained person can do such.

That is how difficult addressing mold problem, but we don’t have to worry because mold removal companies are to the rescue with their hassle-free services as follows.

Air Sampling and Mold Testing

These services will determine if we really have mold problem or unhealthy mold spore level at home or at our store. Remember that 100% mold spores free is impossible simply because they float in the air with other dust particles which we cannot see. With this professional mold test, we will be able to know as well if we have hidden areas of mold, what species of molds live with us, and all other information we need to know to develop the right remediation or removal plan for us and for the technicians to implement.

Mold Removal

This service includes sanitization and decontamination. If it is discovered that a portion of your home or other belongings has molds and can no longer be restored to its original shape, this service is offered. The well-trained people with right personal protection gears usually starts in detecting moisture sanitize it with antimicrobial agents to prevent it from recurring then affected unsalvageable parts are removed or detached and properly discarded. The area around it is decontaminated by either drying or treating or both or replaced, and if necessary textured and covered.

Mold Remediation

This service is offered when invasion is widely spread on home or building support structures such as the trusses in attics, stud framing and joists in crawl spaces, where removal will pose greater risk. Still moisture is first addressed before remediation is done with the proper protocol for safety of the workers and residents when work is being performed, then the surrounding area is again decontaminated.

Dehumidification

This service uses a dehumidifier, an appliance that reduces the level of humidity in the air and eliminates musty odors.

Mold is really tough to handle but you need not to personally take charge. check out mold removal services in Toronto for a hassle-free mold removal service.

Find the Right Toronto Mold Removal Company

What are the things you need to consider so you can hire the right Toronto mold removal company? Probably you’re a local, and would want a Toronto based Restoration Company to address your mold problems at home or at your establishment because you are sure local companies understand the factors that lead to growth of molds in your area, but doesn’t know what other factors to consider, here’s a little help.

You are hiring a restoration company because surely you don’t want your family and properties being compromised, thus, when looking for the right restoration services, always protect yourself by making sure they meet the following criteria:

They are an established company with positive track record.

An established mold removal company understands every aspect of it and learned from their experiences as mold problems are handled on a case to case situation. Yours may be unique but surely they have the know how in properly handling the situation. It is also important that there is no incidence of loss belongings and theft or if there is any, just minor tolerable complains. Good reviews and testimonials may help you too in validating the company’s track records.

They are IICRC licensed.

IICRC or Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification is a non-profit organization who develops or sets standards for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries like, mold and asbestos removal, water damage restoration and the like. It is important that the mold removal company you will hire is IICRC certified because of the following:

• They adhere to the standards of IICRC including high level of customer service with technicians taking necessary health and safety precautions.
• They are a bonded and insured company, especially their technicians who performs the job and thus health and life is always at risk.
• Their technicians are IICRC trained, knowledgeable in restoration process and up to date to the latest trainings and seminars on remediation and restoration

They have state of the art equipments.

Equipments, safety gears, proper clothing, dehumidifiers and tools to mention a few are needed to perform mold remediation, removal and restoration. Hence, the company you will be hiring should have invested in these advance and state of the art gadgets and apparatus so they can do mold removal efficiently and effectively.

Accredited and/or referred by your insurance provider.

Being accredited by an insurance company means they give quality service and follow the standard process. Working with these companies also means assurance for them that they will get paid and will have the funding needed for their project with you and for you this means no hassle in documentation and processing of claims as this mold removal company may do it for you.

They accept alternative mode of payments. A true company will innovate in time and improve their services including accepting alternative mode of payments such as but not limited to debit cards, credit cards and checks. If they demand upfront cash deposit, then maybe they do not have sufficient funds for their project with you.

There may be so many other criteria to consider in a Toronto mold removal company before you can say that you found the right one, but these are the basics which you should always remember.