faq & rESOURCES

FloodMaster
Your Flood Emergency Professionals

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers
  1. Switch off the source of flooding and call us on 0468 874 368 at any time of the day. If you require a plumber to assist, we have access to emergency plumbers. We recommend Divergent Plumbing.
  2. We’ll have one of our technicians on their way to you immediately, to begin assessment, water extraction and installation of drying equipment. There is no upfront payment required.

There are many factors to consider during restoration, which can range from whether the space is empty or has anyone living or working in it, to the type of flooring and subfloor. In saying that, most flood restoration is completed in as little as 3 to 5 days.

This depends on the type of flooring present. If you have floating floors, then unfortunately removal will be required. Due to foam and plastic underneath, there is no safe method of drying and preventing mould without removal. For carpet, provided that it is salvageable, we are able to remove underlays where required. Some types of underlay do not require removal at all.

Absolutely. Mould can begin as early as 24hrs, even from a clean water source such as tap water. This is why we offer a 24 hour, 7 day a week service. As soon as water extraction is complete, specialised drying equipment may then be installed to prevent mould growth from occurring in the first instance.

The short answer is yes. If sewage is present, it must first be treated with an antimicrobial. During the drying process, it is not unusual for people to remain in their homes or for businesses to still operate. Whilst there may be an obvious noise discomfort from our drying equipment, there is usually no longer an imminent risk to health. Technicians will advise of any added precautions that may be required during the process.

Generally the same day that FloodMaster attend the site. We often deal with business operators who can not immediately shut down for several days whilst a bulk amount of drying equipment is employed. Part of our services can also include a technician removing and installing equipment daily outside of operating hours, keeping a minimum of equipment during trading hours to alleviate such disruptions that drying equipment may cause to staff and clients.

We are a premium service, with standard industry rates. Our equipment is charged on a daily basis, and staff on an hourly basis. As each job is different depending on factors such as size, flooring and subfloor type, it will be impossible to determine an exact figure, however we will be able give a reasonable expectation upon initial inspection.

We try to make this difficult time easier and do not charge any upfront payment for the work we carry out, until completion. For our clients who are covered by insurance, we also offer a 30 day payment option, which allows you to be reimbursed by your insurer prior to paying our itemised invoice. This helps to prevent you from being out of pocket whilst navigating the insurance process, which is something that most tradespeople will not do.  For those who are not insured, we ask for payment upon removal of drying equipment. Please give us a call to discuss our rates for various equipment and services.

We ask that all small items be removed from the floor prior to our arrival (shoes, boxes and personal items – on floors including under beds and in wardrobes). However, we are also able to assist if required. Most furniture can remain in place, as we employ methods to work around furniture as well as dry the flooring or subfloor beneath. Flooring and underlay types will typically dictate whether or not the larger items require removal, ultimately however, we are often still able to keep these items in place. Electronics which have not been directly affected by water from the flooding event will be safe to remain in place during the drying process.

This can be quite a stressful time for all concerned and often tensions are high as the allocation of liability is not always fair. We will help to alleviate the tensions by advising all parties of their realistic obligations and likely liabilities. We will be able to calmly inform all affected parties and ensure that all parties receive any relevant reports and documentation.

Yes they are likely to.  Unless your insurance company has explicitly stated in the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) that you must use their repairers only, then our invoice is covered by your insurer.

We are familiar with where an insurer’s liability begins and ends. We do not forward an invoice to the insurer for any work that they are not liable for whilst representing YOU as their client.  Because we do not work for any one specific insurer, caring for you as OUR client is our number one priority. Whilst many insurers would prefer and push you to use the cheapest rather than the best, it is important to remember that you have the ability to choose a professional company that has the experience and promptness such as FloodMaster. We have seen the issues caused by other inexperienced restorers, which have ultimately cost the insurer more money in the long-term and greater headaches for their clients.

This is often a tricky question to answer. There are often many factors which can determine who has the ultimate liability. Usually it involves multiple parties who are liable, even if the flooding is from a single source. 

Unless there are electrical components or light fittings that are directly sitting in free standing water, then the answer is generally no, it is not necessary. If power must be turned off, then it is advised to remove power from the affected items or areas only, as our drying equipment will require some form of electricity to begin the water extraction and drying process.

Resources

These pages are intended to improve your understanding of flooding issues and guide you towards the right solutions.  Please contact us for specific assessment of your situation. 

Let’s talk about magnesite. What is it, and why is it such a problem when wet?

Why structural drying is important to protect the integrity of the building

How the use of these two pieces of equipment together yields best results

Learn about mould prevention to keep your home healthy