5 Star Cleaning handles water damage restoration, mold remediation and carpet, rug and upholstery cleaning, plus house, office and post-renovation cleaning. Its website lists service across the Greater Toronto Area, including Vaughan, Markham, Brampton and Mississauga, and says the company has operated since 1998. The site also lists IICRC water damage certification and a 24/7 emergency line.

Listed since 07/29/2017

Water damage restoration in Richmond Hill

Richmond Hill homeowners face the same heavy-rain risk as the rest of York Region: a sanitary sewer that surcharges and pushes wastewater back into a basement. The City runs a Backwater Valve Subsidy Program of up to $1,500 toward installation, funds limited, and it requires a building permit, a licensed plumber or drain contractor and a final plumbing inspection. That program exists because a valve stops sewage coming back through basement drains, and it is a reminder that a backup and a burst pipe are different events. A backup means contaminated water and a stricter cleanup. Spring thaw and winter cold snaps add burst pipes and ice-related leaks to the list.

What water, mold and storm work involves

Expect a site assessment, a decision on whether the water is clean or contaminated, extraction, then structural drying with air movers and dehumidifiers. Wet carpet and pad from contaminated water are discarded; carpet from clean water may be dried and deep-cleaned. Mold remediation follows only if growth is present or drying was delayed. After fire or storm, the job adds soot cleaning, odor treatment or temporary board-up. Ask for moisture readings at the start and end, a written list of what is being removed, and whether the company will talk to your insurer. Helpful background: the first 24 hours after water damage and documenting your loss before the cleanup starts.