Water is one of nature’s most powerful forces and water damage can be deceptive – especially if it finds its way into your home or business. Now in addition to the immediate concerns of minimizing loss of your personal belongings, there’s also insurance to consider and the restoration process.

At DKI - Sparklean Restorations, we understand the importance of being there to swiftly remove hazardous material and restore your home or business to its original condition. Clean-up must be done by a trained professional to ensure the safety of your structure, as well as your family’s health and well-being.

So who gets to decide what renovations are needed? DKI - Sparklean Restorations are commonly asked why restorations differ from other people who have had floods. Shouldn’t the carpet get replaced? What about the walls? The answer is that restorations differ depending on the type of flood that has resulted. When it comes to water and insurance, here’s what you need to know:
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Freshwater Floods

‍Freshwater floods are caused by spring run-off, melting snow, an overflowing river, lake or stream, or even a swimming pool.

• Excessive groundwater build-up that enters your home via leaks or seepage is also considered flooding and damage to your home caused by a flood is not usually covered by insurance unless your sump pump is involved.
• Homeowners’ policies will cover other types of water damage provided the cause is “sudden and accidental”. This could include the sudden failure of a heating or air conditioning system, an overflowing washing machine, a blocked toilet, accidental sprinkler going off or a frozen water pipe that burst.
• Water entering the home through leaks, cracks and seepage are considered to be the responsibility of the owner and should be prevented through routine home maintenance.

Sewer Floods

Sewer backups occur when massive volumes of water overload a drainage system, back-flowing into your home, and introducing black mould, harmful bacteria and sewage waste into your home, creating health risks and extensive damage.

• Depending on where your home is located, sewer back-up insurance may be available to help cover losses or damage caused by water that has escaped from a sewer, drain, storm drain, sump, septic tank, eaves trough or downspout.

As a proud member of DKI Canada, DKI - Sparklean Restorations is also a certified firm with The Clean Trust (formerly Institute of Inspection, Cleaning & Restoration Certification). In addition to removing excess water, Clean Trust-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to pre-loss conditions to prevent mould and other health issue.

Clean Trust recommends that before entering a building where flood damage may have occurred, make sure it’s safe: check for electrical hazards and structural damage, and use proper protective gear like boots, gloves, and respirators. Then, follow these tips:

• Act quickly, the severity of damage escalates the longer water sits and building components and contents stay wet and mold will grow within 48-72 hours.
• Ventilate affected areas to mitigate or slow mold growth damage, open windows if weather permits and place fans inside of them to keep air moving and maintain moderate temperatures.
• Assess damage to items and materials – there are ways to salvage specialty items but the decision on whether to save or trash an item will vary depending on the dollar and sentimental value to you, the owner.
• Expose concealed pockets of saturation between building materials for cleaning and drying at least a foot beyond the water line it to ensure all damage, wet materials, and mold are discovered.
• Conduct a thorough cleaning, taking care to protect areas that are unaffected by the water or mold – twice to remove allergens, fine dust, and spores.
• Confirm drying before reconstruction to prevent dry rot and structural damage.

To learn more about fast flood damage restoration, call DKI - Sparklean Restoration toll-free at 1-866-412-4539, or at 780-459-4539 in Edmonton, for water damage restoration you can rely on. We’ll get your life back to normal.

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