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Water Damage

If you experience damage to your home from water that escapes from sources like the plumbing, hot water heater, dishwasher, sump hole and floor drain / or sump pump, the following information may be helpful:

  • Water typically spreads out and flows towards substructures (wood sub-floor, joists, etc.) and lower floors.
  • The extent of damage that water can cause to your home depends upon the volume and spread of water, the kind of materials affected and the source of the water.
  • Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous (sewage water).
  • Porous materials, whether wood, drywall or other building materials will soak up water.
  • The resulting effects on contents like furniture and home finishes such as flooring, drywall or other building materials can include discolouration, swelling, detached adhesive bonds, delaminating, warping and a musty odour.

If you have had a water damage loss and have not already done so, you should:

  • Turn the water off at the main water shut-off valve to stop the flow of water if the water escape is from a water supply line or other appliance.
  • Not enter a room with standing water until electricity is turned off particularly when electrical appliances are standing in the water.  
  • If you can, move your contents away from the affected areas.
  • Open drawers, closet and cabinet doors to enhance drying.
  • Avoid coming into contact with flood and sewage contaminated water.
  • Minimize the water damage to your property by contacting Gore Mutual or a qualified water damage restoration contractor directly to ensure proper emergency measures to remove standing water and commence drying of your dwelling begins within 48-hours of it happening. 
  • Know that even if water evaporates unassisted, it can cause damage to ceilings, walls and contents.
  • Know that when the water damage is caused by an insured peril, your insurance policy provides coverage for the repairs to your dwelling finishes and contents affected by the water but not for repairing or replacing the appliance or plumbing line that the water escaped from.

What to expect when you report a claim: 

  • Contact your broker as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Your broker will forward your claim to Gore Mutual and it will be assigned to one of our claims representatives.
  • Our claims representative will contact you promptly to obtain the details of your loss and provide assistance with emergency services, repairs or replacement of damaged property, and any other advice you may require.
  • The claims representative will offer emergency assistance by dispatching a qualified restoration contractor. 
  • The restoration contractor will contact you and arrange a time to meet you at your home.
  • The focus of the claims representative and the restoration contractor will be to work with you to identify the source of the water escape, assess the scope of damage from the water and perform emergency services.
  • In order to assess the necessary emergency services the restoration contractor will  take moisture readings of the air inside and outside your home as well as moisture content readings of materials both directly affected by water and materials not affected by water. This is done to determine the amount of equipment needed to dry your home.
  • The restoration contractor will explain what emergency services they will do and why, what you should and should not do, and ask you to sign an Authorization Form before work can begin.
  • Ultimately it is your home, and only you can authorize the repairs to be completed by a restoration contractor of your choice.
  • Typically emergency work includes extracting all standing water, protecting contents and adjacent rooms, treating areas to prevent bacterial growth, and strategically setting high-velocity air movers and dehumidifiers to remove the excess moisture from the air and materials.
  • The goal of the emergency service is to dry your home back to normal moisture levels as quickly as possible in a controlled manner. The drying process usually takes three (3) to five (5) days.
  • The restoration contractor will inspect your home during the drying process to monitor the progress and reposition or remove drying equipment as needed.
  • If applicable, the cost of repairs to drywall, ceilings, and floors are included as part of your claim. These costs will be reviewed with you by the Claims Adjuster so that you can decide when, how and who you want to complete the repairs or replacement. 
  • If you do not know or have anyone in mind to complete the repairs Gore Mutual has a list of reputable restoration contractors that could complete the work.
  • Sometimes contents can be successfully restored to the condition prior to the loss occurring, and sometimes contents cannot be restored. The Adjuster will work with you in completing a list of damaged contents and help you determine the current replacement values.
  • Once all the details about the repairs to your dwelling and contents are obtained our adjuster will contact you to discuss the claims settlement process.     

 

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