Water damage questions from Buffalo homeowners and landlords
Most questions fall into four groups: what to do in the first minutes, why water gets into buildings here, how a drying job runs, and what happens with licences, permits and insurance. Calls are answered 24/7 and a crew is sent as soon as one is free.
- Lake-effect and storm water
- Basements and crawl spaces
- Phones answered 24/7
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Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
The first few minutes
Where is the main water shut-off in an older Buffalo house?
Often in the cellar, near the meter or where the service pipe enters the building. If you cannot find it, close the nearest fixture valve and call, because the leak will continue until the supply is stopped.
Should I turn off the power?
Yes, if you can do so from a dry spot, at the breaker for the wet area. Do not step into standing water to reach a panel or an outlet.
Can I start cleaning up myself?
Small amounts of clean water can be mopped up. Creek water and sewage need protective equipment, and mold needs an assessment before removal. Photograph the damage first.
Why water gets into buildings here
Why do cellars flood after a thaw?
Ice jams on creeks, meltwater from heavy snow and groundwater pushed up by a rising water table can all reach a cellar. The National Weather Service Buffalo history describes ice-jam floods in February 1984, 1985 and 2001.
Why does a leak show on a ceiling so far from the roof?
Water travels along rafters and joists before it drips. Ice dams at the eave send meltwater back under the shingles, and the stain can be well away from the entry point.
What is a frozen pipe?
Water that freezes inside a pipe expands and can split the pipe. The split leaks only when the ice melts, which is often days after the cold snap.
How a drying job runs
How long does drying take?
It depends on the materials, the moisture in the masonry and the equipment on site. Drying continues until the readings show a dry level, not until the surface looks dry.
Will the crew open my walls?
Only where the readings show water is still in the wall or the framing. Each opening is small, photographed and recorded for the owner.
Why does the note name the county?
Erie County and Niagara County have different offices for permits and records, and towns and villages in the area are separate municipalities. The note names the county and municipality so the record is accurate.
Licences, permits and insurance
Does water damage restoration need a state licence?
The sources checked did not find a New York state licence for water damage restoration, so this site names none. Mold assessment and removal are regulated under Labor Law Article 32, and that licence should be checked before any mold work.
Who decides my insurance claim?
The insurer decides under your policy. The New York State Department of Financial Services is the state regulator for insurers and can answer general questions. Keep the photographs, the readings and the note.
Will I need a permit?
That depends on the repair and the office that covers the property. The note names the office, and the contractor should say which permit applies before the work begins.
Question not answered here?
Call and ask. A technician will give you a straight answer, even if the answer is that you do not need us.