Water & Flood FAQ's

The most important steps are to restore the environment to a dry state and salvage any valuable property. The longer that water and sewage are allowed to remain in your home or on your property, the greater the potential for illness and irreparable damage to your home and its contents.

Where they may be operated safely, use of pumps and dehumidifiers will be helpful in restoring dry conditions. In any flood or sewage cleanup operation, regardless of the source, one should assume that pathogens are present and take appropriate precautions.

It would be a good idea to consult with a professional experienced and preferably certified in sewage restoration.

Pathogens are disease-causing agents, which can come in the form of bacteria, viruses, mould spores, or protozoans, and which are normally present in large numbers in sewage waste.

The nature and extent of potential pathogen risks of sewage backups and floodwaters will depend in large part on the potential contaminants expected to be in the waters. In general, the greater the extent of the sewage component, the more likely the potential for adverse impacts, and the more important the proper cleanup of the materials that have come into direct contact with the contaminated waters. The severity of the health threat therefore depends on the source of the water and the extent of penetration into the building environment. The extent of penetration is dependent on the porosity of contaminated materials, the quantity of floodwater, and the amount of time the water remains in contact with materials.

Even floodwater or stormwater which has not been directly impacted by sewage discharges is likely to contain a wide variety of microbiological organisms such as animal waste and street runoff and must be properly managed. Some of these pathogens, such as mould spores, can even establish an ecological niche and present a health risk from chronic exposure for some time after the event. Preventative measures and proper cleanup procedures are essential in mitigating the risk of infection.

It is always advisable to have a property checked by a qualified water damage expert after a flood, as water may be trapped under flooring or within walls and ceilings and may not be immediately visible. An expert will be able to determine if water remains in the property and can advise on the best course of action to resolve the problem.  Failure to ensure removal of all moisture can result in growth of mould and other secondary issues, and in extreme cases can potentially cause the structure and fabric of the building to become compromised and unstable.

Following a flood in a property it is always advisable to have electrical circuits checked by a qualified electrician, as water will take various routes within the walls and ceilings of a property after a flood and may enter switches, sockets or conduits.

Yes, blown plaster or lose tiles may indicate water trapped within a wall. A simple test using a Protometer will easily determine if there is a high level of moisture within the wall.

Yes, discoloration to a wall is a very good indicator of water damage. A simple test using a moisture meter will determine the level of moisture that may be causing the staining.

Depending on the nature and severity of the water damage, we will usually try and attend site within a few hours of notification. For a serious ingress of water a speedy response is essential – the quicker the water is removed and assisted drying commences, the less chance there is of secondary damage to the property.