How to handle water damage
B.C. has been getting a lot of rain and that can bring surprises. Even small amounts of water intrusion can lead to big problems.
“It was like a water fountain, a huge water fountain. Within about 20 minutes, we had over two feet," said Joann Orlowski.
Her basement filled with sewer water that came up through a toilet.
In the right conditions, mould grows quickly.
Larger rooms that have been soaked with water may need professional help with special drying machinery to ward off dangerous mould.
But according to the experts, you can usually deal with small mould outbreaks yourself, using detergent, water and some elbow grease to scrub surfaces.
Follow these steps to help prevent mould after a flood:
• Clean up debris, and dry out the room by opening windows and using fans. Then close the room and use dehumidifiers;
• Remove anything porous that’s been soaked and can’t be thoroughly cleaned and dried. This includes carpets, upholstery, drywall, or ceiling tiles;
• Clean surfaces with detergent and water. If detergent doesn’t remove existing mould, use a bleach solution - one cup per gallon of water;
• Take pictures of the damage, and wet areas to show your insurance company.
“Since COVID, insurance companies are not sending adjustors so often to sites. So it’s really important to take photos of all the damage. Even small water spots on a wall or ceiling can develop into something much worse later on,” explained Tobie Stanger, Consumer Reports Home Editor.
“There’s pieces in the furnace that if they get wet, then you’ve lost your furnace, they can’t fix it,” added Orlowski.
If your heating or AC units have been submerged, do not turn them on. Water can carry debris, causing bacteria and mould to become embedded inside. Have a professional inspect it and clean all components.
With files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.