When water damage occurs, there are a number of steps you can quickly take while waiting for a claims adjuster to intervene. Here are our recommendations to help you protect your property and avoid any further damage if the residence does not pose a danger to your health or safety.
What to do in case of water damage in 6 steps
1. Put your safety first
- Wear suitable protective equipment
- Contact Énergir if you smell gas
- Switch off electricity
2. Remove water
- Use a pump and workshop vacuum to remove as much water as possible
- Remove and dispose of all wet objects. Only solid, non-porous objects can be cleaned
- Install a dehumidifier
3. Clean and disinfect impacted areas
- Remove and dispose of all building materials that have come into contact with contaminated water
- Clean and disinfect walls and floors with bleach-free disinfectant cleaner
4. Ventilate and dry properly
- Only after cleaning and disinfecting, favorize air circulation to dry out the basement
5. Don't rebuild right away!
- Make sure the area has been properly dried out
6. Throughout the process, be sure to document the damage by taking photos and videos
- Save all the invoices and supporting documents relating to expenses incurred, including living expenses if your home is not habitable
Intact Insurance Clients
- You can find more information in this cheat sheet, ready to download.
- To ease your process, please start your claim through the Intact Insurance app or online via the Client Centre.