Water damage restoration in Toronto & the GTA

What should I do in the first 24 hours after water damage?

Keep people away from the water first. Stay out of a flooded room if water may have reached outlets, appliances or the electrical panel. Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For electrical concerns, follow the utility or emergency responder’s instructions before entering.

For a burst indoor pipe, shut off the water only if the valve is accessible from a dry, safe area. In a condo, notify building management or security so they can coordinate the shutoff and access to other units. For suspected sewage, keep people and pets away from the affected area.

Call MGL and give the municipality, the rooms affected, and whether water is still coming in. Take photos from a safe location and contact your insurer or broker. Keep a record of when you first saw the damage and any emergency work authorized.

• Ontario flood recovery guidance

What can cause a flooded basement or a ceiling leak?

The right cleanup depends on where the water entered and what it touched. A failed supply line, a backed-up drain and runoff entering a window well can all leave water on the floor, but they call for different source repairs and cleanup scopes.

Burst pipes and appliance leaks

A frozen pipe, washing machine hose or failed fixture can wet adjoining walls or the floor below. Record where water first appeared and which rooms it may have reached.

Basement flooding after rain or snowmelt

Water may enter around a window well, at a foundation opening or through a drain. Record where it appeared first and whether it coincided with heavy rain or a thaw. That helps the team coordinate the right trade or municipal contact.

Sewage backup cleanup

Water coming up through a floor drain or toilet can carry contamination. Keep the area clear. A plumber or municipality may need to identify and clear the blockage while MGL assesses affected finishes and contents for removal or cleaning.

Ice dams and roof leaks

Water can enter at the roof edge during a thaw and show up inside a wall or on a ceiling. Report where stains appeared and when they changed. Coordinate the roof inspection before closing up interior repairs.

Condo leaks between floors

A leak may affect several suites, a corridor or a shared service space. MGL coordinates the assessment with the authorized contact and records each accessible area separately.

• City of Toronto basement flooding information

What’s included in water damage restoration?

Restoration can include water extraction, removal of damaged materials, cleaning, monitored drying and an agreed plan for repairs. The scope depends on the water source, affected materials, access and what can be safely kept.

Assess and protect

Confirm the source, affected rooms and who can authorize work. Protect clean areas and coordinate any specialist inspection that is needed.

Remove water and clean

Extract standing water where safe, identify materials and contents that can be retained, and document approved removal, cleaning and contents handling.

Dry and verify

Place equipment according to the drying plan and record readings at identifiable locations. Review the measurements, site conditions and any required specialist findings before releasing a room for repairs.

Scope the rebuild

List the drywall, flooring, baseboards or finishes that need replacement, including any trade work and owner selections. Agree on the repair scope and schedule before reconstruction.

• How MGL works
• Water extraction and structural drying

Does Ontario home insurance cover water damage or sewer backup?

Coverage depends on the cause and your policy. A sudden indoor pipe or appliance leak can be handled differently from sewer backup, water entering from the surface, or seepage. Ask your insurer which endorsements, exclusions, limits and deductible apply to the specific loss.

Tell the insurer what happened, when you discovered it and whether the source has been stopped. Ask how they want photos, damaged-item lists and emergency invoices recorded, and who can approve cleanup and repairs. In a condo, involve building management so the corporation and unit owner can identify their respective scopes.

MGL can organize room-by-room photos, field records, scope changes and an itemized Xactimate estimate for review. Your insurer determines coverage. MGL confirms the approved scope and who receives the invoice before work proceeds.

• Insurance Bureau of Canada guidance
• Home insurance restoration
• Xactimate estimating and claim documentation

How long does cleanup take and what affects the cost?

The initial assessment separates the immediate cleanup from drying and rebuilding. The drying schedule depends on the materials, how far the water travelled, access to enclosed areas, and the readings used to verify progress. The repair schedule follows once the approved scope, selections and trade dates are clear.

The cost of water damage restoration in Toronto depends on the number of rooms, the water source, the amount of material to remove, equipment and monitoring, and the finishes being replaced. Condo access, contents handling and specialist work can affect the scope. Ask for a written breakdown of immediate cleanup, any follow-up work and the rebuild.

When you call for an assessment, tell MGL whether the water is still coming in, what has already been done and whether the work involves a condo corporation or insurance claim. That helps the team identify the next step and what it will need to inspect before estimating.