Water Damage in Your Home

[Guest guest]

Water Damage in Your Home - How to avoid mold, minimize damage - and

deal with your insurance agent!

OTTAWA, June 8 /CNW Telbec/ -

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2005/08/c9521.html

The attached information items may be of interest to homeowners

in your

area. It is being provided to you in two lengths so you have the

option

of highlighting key information tips for the homeowner or

providing more

in-depth information for their use.

If you would like to do a feature story on this subject, need

photos or

are looking for other housing information, please do not

hesitate to

contact CMHC at: (613) 748-2732 or send an e-mail to

media@...

For many homeowners, it's their worst nightmare come true: a

burst water

pipe, leaky roof or heavy summer storm, and you wake up or come home

to find

your house flooded with water. You hope that your insurance will

cover it, but

you're not sure what to do to protect your home, your pocketbook -

and the

health of your family.

To help you minimize the damage, reduce the chances of mold -

and deal

effectively with your insurance agent - Canada Mortgage and Housing

Corporation (CMHC) has a series of steps you can take if your home

has

experienced extensive water damage:

- First, call your insurance broker or agent and report the

water damage

within 24 hours or less, to allow for quick drying and repairs.

- Next, hire a professional contractor to clean up the water and

make

repairs as soon as possible. The contractor reports to and is

paid by

you, but your insurance adjuster can make recommendations.

- As the work progresses, make sure the adjuster and contractor

follow

the best possible procedures to look after your concerns. A

fast,

thorough cleanup will help avoid mold growth and significantly

reduce

cleanup costs. So when selecting a contractor, look for

qualities like

speed, competence in water cleanup practices and certification

or

training in water damage restoration and mold remediation.

- Make sure the moisture source is stopped, and all wet areas are

completely dry. Wet items that can't be salvaged should be

removed, and

what can't be removed must be dried quickly, preferably within

48 hours

to minimize the growth of mold. Be sure all cavities and crawl

spaces

are dry. And confirm that no refinishing is done until the

entire area

is thoroughly dried.

- If you have mold growth, make sure it is removed safely by the

contractor, and that there is no remaining mold anywhere in

your house,

including behind wallpaper, in areas adjacent to the mold

growth or

where water may have seeped (such as wall cavities, basement

subfloors

and crawl spaces), and under carpeting.

- Finally, make sure that all repairs and cleaning have been

completed

thoroughly and properly before you tell your adjuster that you

are

satisfied.

For more information or a free copy of the " About Your House "

fact sheet

on Water Damage, Mold and House Insurance or other fact sheets on

virtually

every facet of owning, maintaining or renovating your home, ask CMHC

at

1 800 668-2642 or visit our Web site at www.cmhc.ca . Canada

Mortgage and

Housing Corporation (CMHC) is Canada's national housing agency and a

source of

objective, reliable housing expertise.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

--------

For story ideas or to access CMHC experts or expertise, contact

CMHC

Media Relations - National Office at: (613) 748-2732 or by e-

mail:

media@...