0–6 hours
Hour 6
Water is still spreading through subfloor and wall cavities.
Still salvageable: Hardwood · Drywall · Insulation · Cabinetry · Carpet + underlay
Water category: 1 — clean
Most of this is still recoverable. That changes tomorrow.
Metro Vancouver · 24/7
Category 3 response
Category 3 water is a health hazard. Do not clean it yourself. We contain, remove, disinfect, and document.
How long has it been wet?
The damage clock
These bands are what water does to a building as the hours pass, shaped by IICRC S500 guidance and the jobs we run. Not a countdown — the hour a given material turns depends on how much water there was, how warm the room is, and what the water was carrying. Use it to work out which job you have, then call whichever band you are in.
6–24 hours
Hour 24
Absorption into subfloor and cavities. Carpet underlay at risk.
Still salvageable: Hardwood · Drywall · Insulation · Cabinetry
At risk: Carpet + underlay
Water category: 1 — degrading
The underlay is the first material we usually lose. Call while the rest is still a drying job.
24–48 hours
Hour 48
Mould growth begins in this window. Drywall and insulation at risk. Category 1 becomes Category 2.
Still salvageable: Hardwood · Cabinetry
At risk: Drywall · Insulation · Carpet + underlay
Water category: 2
This is now a remediation job, not a drying job. Call.
48–72 hours
Hour 72
Insulation typically lost. Hardwood cupping. Cabinetry swelling.
At risk: Hardwood · Cabinetry · Drywall
Typically lost: Insulation · Carpet + underlay
Water category: 2
We can still dry the structure. Some finishes will not return to what they were.
72 hours and after
Hour 72+
Structural drying takes materially longer. Mould remediation likely required. Category 3 possible.
At risk: Hardwood · Cabinetry
Typically lost: Insulation · Carpet + underlay · Drywall
Water category: 2–3 possible
Call anyway. The log still has to close. Waiting does not make the invoice smaller.
On the job
Spec plate
- PPE and containment
- What must be discarded
- Disinfection and disposal
Questions
What is Category 3 water?
Grossly contaminated water — sewage, flooding from rivers or seawater, or water that has sat long enough to become a health risk. It is not a household mop job.
Should I start cleaning before you arrive?
No. Keep people and pets out. Photograph from a dry area. Do not use a household vacuum. Call (604) 968-5835.
What has to be thrown away?
Porous materials that absorbed Category 3 water — underlay, some drywall, insulation — typically cannot be saved. We will show you what and why before we pull it.
Why is Category 3 priced higher?
PPE, containment, disposal, and liability. The published range is $163.50–$300.00 per hour. We would rather charge properly than pretend it is clean water.
Will insurance cover sewage backup?
Often only with a specific endorsement in BC. We document the file. Coverage is the insurer's decision. See insurance and without-a-claim.
Can you work overnight on a backup?
Yes. Overnight labour is on the rate card. Someone has to be awake, insured, and equipped at 3am.