How To Deal With Water Damage

Water damage in a home refers to any kind of damage caused by water entering spaces where it shouldn't be. The damage can arise from minor issues such as a small leak under your sink to major problems such as flooding from heavy rainfall.

Leading causes of water damage to property include:

• burst pipes
• missing or broken shingles
• clogged gutters
• malfunctioning appliances (for example, washing machines, dishwashers, or refrigerator icemakers)
• sewer backups
• heavy rainstorms or flooding
• poor drainage around foundation
• faulty or aging plumbing systems
• overflowing toilets, sinks, or bathtubs

The extent of the damage will often depend on how long the water sits where it doesn't belong. Even small amounts of water, left untreated, can lead to mold growth or weaken your home's structure—which makes quick action on your part essential to prevent a small problem from turning into a big, costly one.

Here are some early warning signs that water might be causing problems in your home:

• stains and discolouration
• bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper
• damp or musty smell
• buckled, warped, or soft flooring
• water in odd places

Let's take a closer look at the most common types of water damage.

Water damage to ceilings is usually quite easy to spot. If you look up and see brown or yellow stains or discolouration—or even areas that are sagging—it's a good indicator that water might have seeped in from above, perhaps from a leaky roof or a plumbing issue in an upper floor.

Water and hardwood floors don't play well together. If water seeps into your floor, it can cause the floorboards to warp, buckle, or swell. Signs include boards that curve or lift up along the edges.

You can often tell when water has seeped into your walls. Early signs of damage include bubbling or peeling paint, soft or damp spots, and stains and discolouration on your walls.

Mold growth caused by water damage can be a major health hazard. If you spot any signs of mold, you'll need to deal with it promptly, as it can cause serious health issues, including respiratory problems—and mold growth can begin as quickly as within 48 hours when there is excessive moisture present.¹

Here's what you can do to help keep your home safe and dry:

• Inspect your roof regularly. Have a professional roofer check for damaged or missing shingles and fix or replace them as soon as you can. 
• Maintain your gutters and downspouts. Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and debris, and make sure downspouts extend the proper distance from your foundation (at least six feet) and are directing water away from your home. 
• Seal windows and doors. Place caulking around windows, doors, and any other areas water might seep through.
• Inspect your plumbing. Check any pipes that are visible and accessible for signs of leaks or corrosion and consider having a professional plumber upgrade old or worn pipes or fittings. 
• Be careful with your landscaping. Avoid planting trees too close to your home, where their roots might damage your drainage systems or your foundation, and keep the ground sloped away from your foundation to keep water from pooling near exterior walls.
• Consider installing a sump pump and/or backwater valves with a backup power system. A sump pump helps to prevent interior flooding while a backwater valve helps prevent sewer backups. 

While serious water damage isn't always immediately visible, there are some key warning signs you can watch for, such as large, spreading stains, warped or soft, uneven flooring, and sagging walls or ceilings.

If you notice any mold growth or odd odours such as a musty smell, this may mean the water has been sitting for a while—in such cases, the damage could be extensive, requiring immediate attention.

Recovering from water damage is a multi-step process, with a two-fold goal: to help prevent further harm to your home and to restore it to its pre-damaged condition.

The first thing you need to do if you discover water damage is to act quickly to minimize the damage:

• Exercise caution. While it's important to take immediate action, don't put yourself in danger: Check for sagging ceilings or flooring that might collapse, avoid any electrical hazards, and don't handle any items damaged by contaminated water (for example, black water from a sewer backup).
• Shut off the water source. This will prevent more water from entering the affected area.
• Remove any standing water. Use mops and buckets to get rid of as much water as you can. Avoid using anything that requires power, such as a wet/dry vacuum.
• Protect valuable items. Move furniture, electronics, and other personal belongings to dry areas. If possible, take wet carpets outside to air dry.
• Dry out the space. Puncture any bubbles in the ceilings or walls to release excess water (be sure to have a bucket handy). Open windows to increase airflow in the area.
• Keep the water contained. If you're not able to remove all of the water in the affected area, seal off doors and entryways to keep it contained.
• Turn off electricity to the affected area. Be sure to stay away from electrical switches and outlets until you're able to turn off your home power supply. 
• Call a professional. This is particularly important if the damage is severe, or if you're dealing with contaminated water (for example, from a sewer backup).

Once you've mitigated the damage, it's a good idea to take pictures and prepare a list of what has been damaged, destroyed, or lost for your insurance company in case you need to make a claim.

Remediation involves deep cleaning and thoroughly drying the affected area, to prevent further unpleasant surprises such as mold and structural deterioration. 

• Remediation after water damage typically involves: removing soaked building materials
• disinfecting affected surfaces
• drying out the area with fans and dehumidifiers
• cleaning and drying water-soaked furniture, clothes, and documents
• checking for hidden moisture
• monitoring for mold growth

The final step, water damage restoration, involves repairing and rebuilding any damaged parts of your home to bring it back to its original condition. In addition to checking for lingering issues (for example, mold or weakened areas), your water damage restoration efforts might also include:

• replacing damaged drywall, flooring, and insulation
• repairing or rebuilding structural elements
• reinstalling fixtures
• painting or refinishing walls and surfaces
• testing and restoring electrical and plumbing systems
• contacting professionals for any major reconstruction, such as replacing or repairing damage to your foundation or roof

You might also want to consider making eco-friendly home improvements during the water damage restoration phase. For example, you could choose sustainable building materials when making water damage repairs or replace a water-damaged furnace with a high-efficiency one.

Remember, though, that you don't need to tackle these steps on your own. Once you've taken the first steps to mitigate the damage, contact your insurance company if you're planning to make a claim. If the damage is significant, your insurer could step in to help you handle both the remediation and restoration stages.

If you plan to make a claim with your insurer, they'll work with you to have the cleanup done as soon as possible. But if you'll be dealing with the water damage on your own, you might want to consider a water cleanup service—especially if you're dealing with significant damage, such as damage from heavy flooding, contaminated water, or structural damage.

Water cleanup professionals will have the specialized tools, techniques, and experience to deal with the repairs required for more severe damage. In the long run, this could save you money by helping to prevent more serious problems down the road, like mold or structural issues.

Whether water damage is covered by your home insurance depends on the cause of the damage and the type of policy you have.

Understanding your policy details is key to knowing what's protected. If you're a TD Insurance home insurance customer, you can always reach out to a TD Insurance Advisor if you have any questions about your coverage, or login to MyInsurance to check your policy details online. 

Most home insurance policies provide water damage coverage for sudden and accidental water damage, such as burst pipes. But they usually don’t provide coverage for damage caused by a long-term issue like a slow leak or poor maintenance.

Standard home insurance policies rarely, if ever, cover water damage caused by floods, so if you want flood coverage, you'll typically need to purchase an add-on to your standard policy.

Tenant insurance will typically cover water damage to your personal belongings that's caused by a sudden, accidental event like a pipe bursting. Damage to the rental unit or structure itself won't be covered, however—these types of repairs are your landlord's responsibility.

¹ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/addressing-moisture-mould-your-home.html