Rescue Restoration Services | FAQ - Vancouver Flood & Fire Damage Restoration

Although the most obvious causes of water damage are severe forces of nature, such as hurricanes or floods, a simple rainfall or snowfall causing a leak somewhere can result in water damage. It is important that you inspect your house and find where the water damage is, how it was caused, and how you can fix it. Water damage also can occur when a fire is extinguished, from leaking pipes, and malfunctioning washing machines and heaters, as well as leaks in your roofing and siding and from defective gutters, which will cause water to pool around your property and potentially leak into your basement. For more information on this, please check out this detailed article on causes of water damage.

What do I do when I first notice water damage?

Following a water-related incident, immediately switch off circuit breakers that distribute power to flooded areas. Remember that safety comes first. If you think it is unsafe or even if you are not sure, call us at 604-888-7777 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call your insurance company to inform them of the damage. If your home is severely damaged, determine whether it is structurally safe to enter. If not or you are unsure, immediately make arrangements to stay elsewhere.

How long will it take my property to dry?

The drying process depends on several factors including location, duration and source of water, the types of building materials, the weather conditions and how quickly emergency services begin. We determine when the drying process is completed through consistent monitoring and evaluation. Even though your carpeting feels dry to the touch, the padding and sub-floors may still be wet underneath. Each situation is different; however, most property takes approximately three to five days (or more) to dry thoroughly.

What happens to my wet furniture?

The extent of damage and the construction of the furniture will determine if your furniture can be restored. Any damage can only be assessed after the furniture is completely dried. Furniture that cannot be salvaged will be documented; a customer release form is needed for anything needing to be disposed of.

Do I have to throw away all my kitchenware?

Not necessarily. Dishes, cooking utensils and food preparation areas can be sanitized, disinfected and then reused. You should, however, throw away wooden cutting boards, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and pacifiers, since it's almost impossible to safely clean them.

How fast will mold and bacteria start to grow?

Within hours. Because mold thrives in moist and warm environments, any place that is wet and/or humid is a perfect place for mold to grow, therefore, it is extremely important that you take action immediately. Call Rescue Services at 604-888-7777 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do I need to move out of my property during this process?

If you file an insurance claim, you may receive guidance from your insurance representative. However, this is a decision you must reach on your own. Here are several things to consider: Safety is paramount. Our equipment is as childproof as possible, but we require your supervision for making sure no children play with it. Air movers and dehumidifiers will create some noise and make your property drafty for a few days. It is important that the equipment remains on, so if the noise is disruptive to you, you might want to consider an alternate place to stay.

Should I open the windows to help the drying process?

Opening your windows to assist the drying process is not always recommended. Outside weather conditions may vary, so the technician will determine when and if the outside air is appropriate.

Can I walk on the area during the drying process?

It is strongly suggested that you keep the traffic to a minimum. Wearing shoes is recommended for your safety.

Can my carpet be restored or will it have to be replaced?

Although it varies from case to case, here are a few reasons your carpet may not be salvageable:

Delamination: Occurs when the backing separates from the carpet fiber.

Loss of Adhesion: May be caused by prolonged exposure to water or age of carpet.

Permanent Stains

Carpet Covers Wood Flooring: Your carpeting may have to be removed to salvage and/or dry the wood flooring.

Sewage Contamination

Why are air movers and dehumidifiers used?

Water can be absorbed into the drywall, baseboards, sub-flooring when water damage occurs. Drying these surfaces requires high-velocity air movers to accelerate the release of absorbed water into the air. It is necessary to place dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture to help protect property and create conditions for efficient drying.

What are the effects of sewage contamination?

Hard surfaces can be cleaned and sanitized. Affected items that cannot be sanitized require disposal. Porous materials such as drywall, ceiling tiles, insulation, particleboard, paneling, etc. that have been directly affected should be removed during the emergency service visit.

How long does the restoration process take?

How can I estimate the extent of the damage?

What is the best way to secure my property after fire damage?

Can I clean it up myself?

How long does the restoration process take?

It is hard to give a general estimate as many different variables are involved in fire and smoke damage restoration. Sometimes it is difficult to make an exact prediction on how long the entire restoration process of your home or business will take. However, once our technicians inspect the damage, they will be able to give you estimates on dates and phases of the restoration project.

How can I estimate the extent of the damage?

We don’t recommend you to perform a personal inspection on the fire site for various safety reasons but if you think it is 100% safe, start with a closer inspection of the property to assess the damage to the exterior. Only if determined safe, walk around the building and lot to observe and gather information. No matter how safe it looks, do not enter the building, fire damage can be very tricky. The structure of a building may look sturdy from the outside but you don’t now the extent of the damage on the inside. Let the professionals do the inspection.

What is the best way to secure my property after fire damage?

Lock and secure your property when not occupied to prevent looting. Keep in mind that alarms may malfunction if the electricity or telephone service has been interrupted.

Can I clean it up myself?

We advise all our customers not to clean up by themselves before consulting us. We use specialized cleaning products, deodorizing agents and do pretesting before we start cleaning up the damage. This process should be done by a professional as we are dealing with strong chemicals and mixtures.

What is asbestos?

How can asbestos affect my health?

Where might I come into contact with asbestos?

Does my home contain asbestos?

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is a highly-fibrous, naturally-occurring mineral found in the ground. Asbestos can be found on just about every continent. Its exemplary heat- and fire-resistant properties have been recognized for hundreds of years.

How can asbestos affect my health?

From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of:

• Lung cancer;

• Mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity; and

• asbestosis, in which the lungs become scarred with fibrous tissue.

The risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma increases with the number of fibers inhaled. The risk of lung cancer from inhaling asbestos fibers is also greater if you smoke. People who get asbestosis have usually been exposed to high levels of asbestos for a long time. The symptoms of these diseases do not usually appear until about 20 to 30 years after the first exposure to asbestos.

Most people exposed to small amounts of asbestos, as we all are in our daily lives, do not develop these health problems. However, if disturbed, asbestos material may release asbestos fibers, which can be inhaled into the lungs. The fibers can remain there for a long time, increasing the risk of disease. Asbestos material that would crumble easily if handled, or that has been sawed, scraped, or sanded into a powder, is more likely to create a health hazard.

Where might I come into contact with asbestos?

Asbestos can be present in many products produced before the asbestos warnings of the 1970s, including insulation, drywall tape, gaskets, brake shoes, certain household products, and more. These may still be in your home or your workplace.

Does my home contain asbestos?

If your home was built before 1990, you are more likely to have asbestos insulation wrapped around your furnace ducts or pipes, as well as in your floor tiles and other areas. Asbestos poses a potential health risk when it is fraying or crumbling.

What are molds?

How do I know if I have mold in my home?

What makes molds grow in my home?

Can I be exposed to mold?

Do molds affect my health?

When is mold a problem?

What are molds?

Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes.

How do I know if I have mold in my home?

The most conspicuous way to determine mold is its musty odour. Often, you will not be able to see mold that is causing an odour. The mold could be growing behind walls, underneath carpets, or in other hidden areas. Mold growth is common in areas of a home that are damp or have suffered water damage. If you would like more information on how to determine mold growth, please see this article.

What makes molds grow in my home?

Mold enters your home as tiny spores. The spores need moisture to begin growing, digesting and destroying. Molds can grow on almost any surface, including; wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation. The mold grows best when there is lots of moisture from a leaky roof, high humidity, or flood. There is no way to get rid of all molds and mold spores from your home. But you can control mold growth by keeping your home dry.

Can I be exposed to mold?

When molds are disturbed, they release spores into the air. You can be exposed by breathing air containing these mold spores. You can also be exposed through touching moldy items, eating moldy food or accidental hand to mouth contact.

Do molds affect my health?

Most molds do not harm healthy people. However, people who have allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to molds. Sensitive people may experience skin rash, running nose, eye irritation, cough, nasal congestion, aggravation of asthma or difficulty breathing. People with an immune suppression or underlying lung disease, may be at increased risk for infections from molds.

A small number of molds produce toxins called mycotoxins. When people are exposed to high levels of mold mycotoxins they may suffer toxic effects, including fatigue, nausea, headaches, and irritation to the lungs and eyes. If you or your family members have health problems that you suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you should consult with your physician.

When is mold a problem?

You know you have mold when you smell the "musty" odour or see small black or white specks along your damp bathroom or basement walls. Some mold is hidden growing behind wall coverings or ceiling tiles. Even dry, dead mold can cause health problems, so always take precautions when you suspect mold.

Mold is often found in areas where water has damaged building materials and furniture from flooding or plumbing leaks. Mold can also be found growing along walls where warm moist air condenses on cooler wall surfaces, such as inside cold exterior walls, behind dressers, headboards, and in closets where articles are stored against walls. Mold often grows in rooms with both high water usage and humidity, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. If you notice mold or know of water damaged areas in your home, it is time to take action to control its growth.