Resources
Straight answers to the questions people have during and after property damage.
Water
Bathroom leaking through the ceiling below
Water coming through the ceiling under a bathroom: how to find whether it is the toilet, shower, tub or a pipe, and how the ceiling is dried and repaired.
Burst pipe: what to do in the first ten minutes
A pipe has burst. How to shut off the water, limit the damage, deal with a bulging ceiling and what to tell your insurer.
Clean, grey and black water: the categories of water damage
The three categories of water damage explained: what counts as clean, grey and black water, how each is handled, and why clean water does not stay clean.
Commercial water damage: a guide for Ontario businesses
What to do when a shop, office, restaurant or warehouse floods: first steps, who is responsible in a leased space, insurance and getting back open.
Dishwasher leak: hidden water damage and what to do
How to spot a dishwasher leak, why the damage is usually hidden under cabinets and flooring, how it is dried and when cabinets must be replaced.
Foundation crack leaking water: causes and repairs
Which foundation cracks are normal and which are serious, why they leak, how they are repaired from inside or outside, and how to dry out afterwards.
Fridge water line leak: damage, cleanup and prevention
A leaking refrigerator ice maker or water line can soak floors and the ceiling below unnoticed. How to stop it, check the damage and prevent a repeat.
Frozen pipes: thawing, repair and prevention
How to find and safely thaw a frozen pipe, what to do if it has split, when to call a plumber and how to stop pipes freezing again.
How long does it take to dry out a flooded basement?
Typical drying times after a basement flood, what speeds it up or slows it down, and how to know when it is properly dry.
How structural drying works after water damage
What restoration crews do to dry a house after a leak or flood: extraction, air movers, dehumidifiers, moisture readings, and how long it takes.
Leaking skylight: causes, fixes and water damage
How to tell a skylight leak from condensation, the common causes, what a proper repair involves and how to deal with the damage to ceilings and walls.
Saving water-damaged photos, documents and electronics
First aid for wet photographs, papers, books and electronics after a flood or leak: what to do in the first 48 hours and what specialists can recover.
Signs of water damage behind walls
How to recognise a hidden leak inside a wall, from stains and peeling paint to musty smells, how leaks are located and what the repair involves.
Washing machine flood: what to do
A burst hose or overflowing washer: how to stop the water, limit damage to floors and the rooms below, and prevent it happening again.
Water heater leaking: what to do right now
A leaking water heater: how to shut it off safely, work out where the leak is, limit the water damage and decide between repair and replacement.
Water in the basement: causes and how to tell them apart
How to work out where water in your basement is coming from, with the signs that point to each cause and what fixes it.
Water in the crawl space: causes, risks and fixes
Why water collects in a crawl space, what it does to floors, air quality and structure, and how it is pumped out, dried and kept dry.
Water stain on the ceiling: causes and what to do
What a brown water stain on the ceiling means, how to find the source, when it is urgent and how the ceiling is properly repaired.
Water under laminate or vinyl plank flooring
What happens when water gets under laminate or vinyl plank flooring, how to tell, why it usually has to be lifted and what can be reused.
Water-damaged hardwood floors: dry, refinish or replace?
What water does to hardwood floors, how cupping and buckling differ, when a floor can be dried and refinished and when boards must be replaced.
Wet carpet: can it be saved and how to dry it
What to do when carpet gets wet from a leak or flood, when it can be saved, why the underpad matters and how to dry it before mold starts.
Wet drywall: can it be dried or must it be replaced?
How to decide whether water-damaged drywall can be dried in place or needs cutting out, how high to cut, and how walls and ceilings are repaired.
Wet insulation: does it need to be replaced?
What happens when fibreglass, cellulose, mineral wool and foam insulation get wet, which can be dried and which must be replaced, in walls and attics.
What to do when your basement floods
Step-by-step: what to do in the first hour when your basement floods, what not to touch, and when to call for help.
Sewage
Basement floor drain backing up: causes and what to do
Why a basement floor drain backs up, how to tell a clog in your own drain from a city sewer problem, what to do right away and how to prevent it.
Septic backup in the house: what to do and cleanup
What to do when a septic system backs up into the house, the usual causes, how the cleanup is done safely and how to prevent another backup.
Sewage smell in the basement: causes and fixes
Common causes of a sewer smell in the basement, from a dry floor drain trap to a cracked pipe, how to find the source and when it is a hazard.
Sewer backup in the basement: what to do first
Sewage coming up a floor drain? What to do in the first hour, what is unsafe to touch, who to call and what can be saved.
Toilet overflow: how to stop it and clean up safely
How to stop an overflowing toilet, tell clean water from contaminated water, clean up safely and deal with water that reached the floor below.
Tree roots in the sewer line: signs, fixes and who pays
How tree roots block sewer laterals in older Ontario neighbourhoods, the warning signs, how they are cleared or repaired, and who is responsible.
Fire and smoke
Can you stay in your house after a fire?
How to decide whether a home is safe to live in after a small or large fire: structure, utilities, smoke and soot, water, and who makes the call.
Chimney fire: signs, what to do and what comes after
How to recognise a chimney fire, what to do while it is happening, what must be inspected before the fireplace or wood stove is used again.
Dryer fire: what to do, cleanup and prevention
What to do if a clothes dryer catches fire, how smoke and soot from a laundry room fire are cleaned up, and the vent maintenance that prevents it.
Electrical fire at home: what to do and what comes after
How to respond to an electrical fire, the warning signs before one, and what inspection, cleanup and repair are needed in Ontario afterwards.
Furnace puff back: soot cleanup and what to do
What a furnace puff back is, why the oily soot spreads through every room, what to do first, how it is cleaned and whether insurance covers it.
How long does fire damage restoration take?
Realistic timelines for fire damage restoration, from emergency board-up and cleaning to rebuild, and the things that speed it up or slow it down.
How to clean up fire extinguisher residue
How to clean up after using a fire extinguisher: dry chemical powder, wet chemical, foam and CO2, what it does to appliances and electronics, and what to wear.
How to get smoke smell out of a house
Why smoke odour lingers, what you can clean yourself, what does not work, and when the job needs professional equipment.
How to remove cigarette smoke smell from a house
Why tobacco smoke smell lingers in a house, and the cleaning, sealing and replacement steps that remove it from walls, floors, ducts and furnishings.
Kitchen fire cleanup: grease smoke, soot and odour
How to clean up after a kitchen or grease fire: why the residue is sticky, what to do first, what to throw out and when the job needs a professional.
Lithium battery fires at home: e-bikes, scooters and tools
Why lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, scooters and tools catch fire, how to charge and store them safely, what to do in a fire and the cleanup after.
Smoke damage on walls and ceilings: how to fix it
How to clean smoke and soot from walls and ceilings without smearing it, when to seal and repaint, and when the damage needs professional cleaning.
Smoke-damaged clothes and furniture: what can be saved
How smoke-damaged clothing, upholstery, mattresses and furniture are cleaned after a fire, what usually cannot be saved and what not to do first.
What to do after a house fire
The first 24 hours after a house fire in Ontario: when you can go back in, who to call, what to keep and what not to clean.
Wildfire smoke in your home: protection and cleanup
How to keep wildfire smoke out of an Ontario home, protect indoor air during a smoke event, and clean up the smell and residue afterwards.
Mold
Attic mold: causes, removal and how to stop it coming back
Why mold grows in Ontario attics, how it is removed, what affects the cost and the ventilation fixes that keep it from coming back.
Bathroom mold: why it grows and how to stop it
Where mold grows in bathrooms, how to remove it from caulk, grout, ceilings and walls, and the ventilation fixes that keep it from returning.
Black mold in the house: what it is and what to do
What black mold is, whether it is more dangerous than other mold, the symptoms people report and how to deal with it safely in an Ontario home.
How fast does mold grow after water damage?
Mold can start within 24 to 48 hours of water damage. What it needs to grow, where it hides and how to stop it.
How to prevent mold after water damage
The steps that stop mold after a leak or flood: what to do in the first 24 to 48 hours, what to remove, how to dry properly and how to confirm it worked.
How to remove mold from walls
How to remove mold from painted walls, drywall and concrete, when you can do it yourself, what to wear and when the wall has to be cut out.
Mold in a rental in Ontario: who is responsible?
Who is responsible for mold in an Ontario rental, how to report it, what landlords must do, and the steps open to tenants if nothing is done.
Mold in air ducts: signs, causes and what to do
How to tell whether there is mold in your ducts or furnace, what causes it, when duct cleaning helps and when parts of the system must be replaced.
Mold in closets and on outside walls
Why mold appears in closets, behind furniture and in corners on exterior walls in winter, how to clean it and how to stop it returning.
Mold in the basement: causes and fixes
Why basements grow mold, where to look, how to remove it and how to keep an Ontario basement dry enough that it does not come back.
Mold on drywall: clean it or replace it?
How to tell whether moldy drywall can be cleaned or must be cut out, how removal is done safely, and what causes it in the first place.
Mold on the ceiling: causes and removal
Why mold grows on ceilings, how to tell condensation from a leak, how to clean it safely and when the ceiling needs to be opened up.
Mold on window sills and frames
Why mold grows around windows in winter, how to clean sills, frames and tracks, and how to reduce the condensation that causes it.
Mold on wood: framing, joists, subfloors and furniture
How to tell mold from staining and rot on wood, how it is removed from joists, studs and subfloors, and when wood has to be replaced.
Mold testing and inspection: when is it worth it?
When mold testing is useful, when it is a waste of money, what an inspection involves and why the tester should be independent of the remover.
Mold vs mildew: what is the difference?
The difference between mold and mildew in a house, how to tell surface growth from a deeper problem, and how each is cleaned and prevented.
Mold when buying or selling a house in Ontario
What buyers and sellers in Ontario should know about mold: what a home inspection can and cannot find, disclosure, negotiation and remediation records.
Musty smell in the house: how to find the source
What a musty smell means, where to look for hidden dampness and mold, and how to get rid of the odour for good instead of masking it.
What does mold removal cost in Ontario?
What drives the cost of mold removal in Ontario, how quotes are built, what should be included and when insurance pays.
White mold or efflorescence on basement walls?
How to tell white mold from efflorescence on basement walls and floors, what each means about moisture, and how to deal with both.
Asbestos
Asbestos cement siding and roofing: keep or remove?
How to recognise asbestos cement siding, shingles and soffits on older Ontario homes, when they are safe to leave, and how repair and removal are handled.
Asbestos floor tiles: remove, cover or leave?
How to recognise old flooring that may contain asbestos, when it is safe to leave or cover, and how removal is done under Ontario rules.
Asbestos in drywall joint compound and plaster
Older drywall joint compound and plaster can contain asbestos. When it matters, how to test before renovating, and how removal is handled in Ontario.
Asbestos in popcorn ceilings: testing and removal
Which popcorn and stipple ceilings may contain asbestos, how they are tested, whether to leave, cover or remove them, and how removal works in Ontario.
Asbestos pipe insulation: how to identify and handle it
What asbestos pipe wrap and boiler insulation look like, why damaged lagging is a hazard, and how it is repaired, enclosed or removed in Ontario.
Asbestos testing before a renovation in Ontario
When to test for asbestos before renovating or demolishing in Ontario, which materials to sample, how a survey works and what the results mean.
How asbestos removal works in Ontario
What happens during professional asbestos removal in Ontario: testing, the three types of operation, containment, removal, disposal and clearance.
Vermiculite insulation: asbestos risk and removal
How to recognise vermiculite attic insulation, why it may contain asbestos, what to do if you have it and how removal is carried out in Ontario.
What does asbestos look like in a house?
How to recognise materials in Ontario homes that may contain asbestos, room by room, and why only a laboratory test can confirm it.
What does asbestos removal cost in Ontario?
What determines the cost of asbestos removal in Ontario: the material, the amount, the type of operation under O. Reg. 278/05, testing and disposal.
Storm
A tree fell on your house: what to do first
A tree or large limb has hit your house: how to stay safe, who to call, how the roof is protected, whose insurance pays and how repairs proceed.
Emergency board-up after a fire, storm or break-in
When a property needs boarding up, how it is done properly, who is responsible for securing it in Ontario and what insurers expect.
Flash flood at home in Ontario: what to do
What to do before, during and after a flash flood or severe rainstorm in Ontario: safety, protecting the home, cleanup and insurance.
Hail damage to roof and siding: what to look for
How to recognise hail damage on shingles, siding, eavestroughs and windows, why it matters even without a leak, and how hail claims are handled.
Ice dams: safe removal, the damage they cause and prevention
How ice dams form, safe ways to deal with one, what not to do, the water damage they cause inside and how to prevent them.
Ice storm damage: what to do before, during and after
How to get through an Ontario ice storm safely, protect your home during a long power outage, and deal with tree, roof and water damage afterwards.
Lightning strike on a house: damage and what to check
What to do if lightning hits your house or a power surge follows a storm: fire risk, electrical damage, what to inspect and how claims work.
Roof leaking in a storm: emergency steps and tarping
What to do when your roof leaks during a storm, how emergency roof tarping works, what to check afterwards and when insurance covers it.
Wind damage to a roof: signs, temporary repairs and claims
How to spot wind damage to shingles after a storm in Ontario, what to do before the roofer arrives, and how wind damage insurance claims work.
Window well flooding: causes, fixes and cleanup
Why basement window wells fill with water, how to stop water coming in through the window, and what to do when it has already flooded the basement.
Insurance
Additional living expenses coverage explained
What additional living expenses coverage pays for when a fire or flood forces you out of your home in Ontario, what it excludes and how to claim.
Condo water leak in Ontario: who is responsible?
When water leaks between condo units in Ontario: who repairs what, how the corporation and unit owner insurance fit together, and what to do first.
Contents pack-out after a fire or flood: how it works
What a contents pack-out is, when it is needed after a fire or flood, how belongings are inventoried, cleaned and stored, and what to keep with you.
Does home insurance cover basement flooding in Ontario?
It depends on where the water came from. How Ontario home policies usually treat burst pipes, sewer backup, overland water and seepage.
Does home insurance cover water damage in Ontario?
Which kinds of water damage Ontario home insurance usually covers, which it excludes, and what decides the outcome of a water claim.
Home inventory for insurance: how to list your contents
How to make a home inventory before a loss, and how to build a contents list after a fire or flood when you have no records. What adjusters ask for.
How to choose a restoration contractor in Ontario
What to check before hiring a water, fire or mold restoration company in Ontario: certification, insurance, WSIB, written scope, and warning signs.
Insurer's preferred contractor or your own?
Whether to use your insurance company's preferred restoration contractor or hire your own in Ontario: your rights, the trade-offs and what to check.
Overland water coverage in Ontario, explained
What overland water coverage is, how it differs from sewer backup coverage, what it typically covers and who can get it in Ontario.
Rebuilding after a fire or flood in Ontario
What happens after the cleanup: scope, permits, code upgrades, timelines and choices when rebuilding a damaged home in Ontario after a fire or flood.
Sewer backup insurance in Ontario: what it covers
What sewer backup coverage is, what it pays for, typical limits and deductibles, and how to check whether your Ontario home policy has it.
The water damage insurance claim process in Ontario
Step by step: how a home insurance water damage claim works in Ontario, from the first call and emergency work to the proof of loss and payment.
Water damage claim denied in Ontario: what to do next
Why water damage claims get denied in Ontario and the steps to take: get the reason in writing, check the policy, use the insurer complaint process.
What does an insurance adjuster do?
The role of the insurance adjuster after a fire or flood, the different kinds of adjuster in Ontario, what they will ask for and how to work with them.
What does water damage restoration cost in Ontario?
What determines the cost of water damage restoration in Ontario, how estimates are built, and what you pay on an insured loss.
Prevention
Attic condensation and frost: causes and fixes
Why frost and water build up in Ontario attics in winter, how to tell condensation from a roof leak, and how air sealing and ventilation fix it.
Backwater valves in Ontario: how they work and who helps pay
What a backwater valve does, what it will not do, maintenance, and which Ontario municipalities help pay for one.
Do I need a dehumidifier in my basement?
How to tell if your basement needs a dehumidifier, what size and type to choose, how to set it up and run it, and what it cannot fix.
Home water damage prevention checklist
A season-by-season checklist to prevent leaks, floods and mold in an Ontario home: plumbing, appliances, roof, drainage, basement and insurance.
How to prevent basement flooding in Ontario
A practical checklist to reduce basement flood risk in Ontario: grading, downspouts, sump pumps, backwater valves and seasonal checks.
How to winterize a vacant home or cottage in Ontario
How to protect an empty house, snowbird home or cottage from frozen pipes and water damage in an Ontario winter, and what insurers require.
Ideal indoor humidity for an Ontario home
What indoor humidity to aim for in summer and winter in Ontario, how to measure it, and how to raise or lower it to prevent mold and condensation.
Spring thaw basement flooding in Ontario
Why basements flood during the spring melt in Ontario, how to prepare in late winter, and what to do if snowmelt or ground water gets in.
Sump pump failure: what to do and how to prevent it
Your sump pump stopped and the basement is filling. Quick checks, what to do about the water, and how to stop it happening again.
Water leak detectors and automatic shut-off valves
How water leak sensors and automatic shut-off valves work, where to put them, what to look for when buying and whether insurers give a discount.
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