EMERGENCY FLOOD &
WATER DAMAGE
CLEAN UP
24/7 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES
45 MINUTE EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN THE GTA
(416) 602-4355
Step 1 - Moisture Inspection & Assessment
Metro Flood Services utilizes various moisture detection equipment to determine the water saturation level in building materials. Our detection equipment includes penetrating and non-penetrating moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and hygrometers. All these sophisticated tools allow us to detect moisture that is not visible to the human eye. Many people do not realize just how far water can migrate within walls, ceilings and across flooring and carpeting. We will use thermal imaging cameras on all walls, flooring and ceilings to ensure that we can find all hidden spots of moisture. This is how we can find the source of the moisture and put in a plan to address that source, hereby preventing your property from possible mould and mildew growth.
After our inspection, we can conclude the category of water loss. Three categories of water damage can be identified when responding to and assessing flood and water cleanups.
Category 1 Water Damage:
Category 2 Water Damage:
Category 3 Water Damage:
This is often referred to as “Clean Water” by water damage companies and does not cause substantial harm. Examples of clean water damage sources are rainwater, snow and ice melt, broken appliance hoses or lines, overflows from sinks and bathtubs, and broken toilet tanks and bowls (no urine or feces).
This is often referred to as “Grey Water” by water damage companies and is defined as water that contains a significant degree of chemical, biological or physical contamination. It can cause distress or sickness if consumed by or exposed to humans. Examples of grey water sources are sprinkler systems, sump pump failures, dishwasher and washing machine discharge and toilet bowl overflow with urine but no feces.
This is often referred to as “Black Water” by water damage companies and can be defined as grossly unsanitary water containing pathogenic agents, arising from sewage or other contaminated water sources. Examples of black water sources are sewage, category 2 water that is not removed quickly or effectively from an affected area, toilet backflows that are from beyond the toilet trap, toilet bowls with feces, river or stream water, and rainwater mixed with sewage
Call Metro Flood Services now to book your moisture detection inspection!
Step 2 - Emergency Water Removal & Water Extraction
Sometimes, water is very present and visible. This water could be the result of a broken appliance, sprinkler system, burst pipe, overflowed toilet and more. When we get a call for water removal, we immediately dispatch our emergency response IICRC-certified technicians to the job site. We have an average response time of 45 minutes to anywhere in the GTA. Our team will use its portable extractors and truck mounts to remove standing water from your home, office or business — and in just a short amount of time. As mould can start to grow 24 hours after water damage, we must move quickly and efficiently to remove the water. By acting fast, we will minimize the chance for microbial growth and will in turn save our clients thousands in repair costs.
Step 3 - Removal of Affected Materials, Structural Drying & Monitoring
Once all the standing water has been removed and we have detected all the hidden areas of moisture, we can start to remove some of the unsalvageable building materials and dry out those that are salvageable. Sometimes this can involve drilling holes in the drywall, removal of baseboards, removal of insulation, removal of ceiling tiles carpet and flooring removal, cutting and removing drywall 1, 2 or even at 4 ft high, removal of built-in cabinetry and appliances and much more. It depends on how far the water has wicked up the walls and wherein the property it has migrated.
Once the water is extracted, we can install our drying equipment. Structural drying is when we use specialized tools and equipment are used to air out, dehumidify, and dry any remaining moisture.
Dehumidifiers:
Air Movers:
Air Scrubbers:
A dehumidifier is a machine that removes surplus moisture from the air, thereby reducing the humidity in an area. Dehumidifiers come in different sizes and capacities, making them appropriate for use in various spaces, from small bedrooms to large commercial office buildings or condominium high rises. They essentially work by sucking in air from the room, removing the moisture, and then blowing out dry air. Dehumidifiers are critical tools for water damage restoration companies used to speed up the drying process, but they also serve to remove excess moisture from the air, reduce mould growth, and prevent further damage.
We use high-velocity fans, otherwise known as air movers, to dry out building materials and structures. Air movers are the most effective methods for removing water from saturated flooring, walls and other materials. The stronger the velocity, the more the dry air should move around and absorb excess water as it is blown away by the drying fan.
An air scrubber is a portable air filtration machine that will remove particles, gasses, and chemicals from the air within an environment. Air is drawn in through these machines and goes through filters to remove any airborne pollutants like sawdust, drywall dust, concrete dust, mould spores, or other pathogenic particles. After passing through the scrubber, the clean air is then returned to the environment. This is essential when dealing with category 2 and 3 water losses, biohazard remediation, trauma scene cleanup, fire and smoke damage cleanup and sewage backup cleaning. Regardless of how clean the water or fire-damaged area is pre-loss; it will be contaminated once the water and/or smoke has affected it. This could be a result of the type of water loss (categories 1, 2 or 3 water) or because the water has mixed with contaminants that are already present in the affected environment.
Metro Flood Services always develops a drying strategy that determines exactly how many fans, dehumidifiers and air scrubbers are needed per room and in what direction they should be facing to maximize drying capabilities. We also always follow IICRC recommendations for drying out structures. We continuously monitor the drying process, adjust equipment as needed and document all moisture content and readings. We thoroughly document all the above steps of the flood and water damage cleanup process. We use insurance-approved software like Xactimate and Encircle to create this documentation which is 100 percent necessary if you are submitting a property damage insurance claim and expect compensation for your water-damaged property and contents. You must know that we will be acting as a liaison between you and your insurer throughout the entire claim. We aim to reduce the stress and headaches that can come along with a flood cleanup and water damage insurance claim.
Step 4 - Restoration & Repair Phase
Once your property has been thoroughly dried out, the next step is the post-emergency repairs phase. This is where all the water damage repair and restoration takes place. This is the exciting part as clients finally get to see their properties reverting to how they were previously. Our years of experience responding to all types of water damage emergencies and other property losses have assured our knowledge and expertise. We guide our clients through the difficult initial days, helping them restore their residential and commercial properties. It’s our job to return your home or office space to its pre-loss condition or even better so you can return home or to work and once again start to enjoy your space again.
At Metro Flood Services, we have renovators and remodelers eager to help you repair your home or office after water or fire damage. Our teams take a comprehensive approach to reconstructing and rebuilding water-damaged properties. We don’t believe the water-damage repair project is over just because we have cleaned up the flood. We can’t say our job is done until your property is usable and/or livable again. We work diligently to repair and renovate your water-damaged drywall, baseboards, ceilings, hardwood flooring, ceilings, and much more.
The faster we remove the water and dry out your space, the less damage there will be to your property and the less money you will spend on the water damage repair phase. If you are experiencing a flood, need emergency water removal or post water damage repairs, call Metro Flood Services at (416) 877-8759 immediately.