Water damage questions

Make it safe. If water has got into the house, leave the power off until an electrician has checked it. If a pipe has burst, turn the water off at the mains stop valve. If anyone is in danger, call triple zero (000). Then photograph the damage and call your insurer if you're insured (Insurance Council).

If you're insured, your insurer. The Insurance Council says to speak to your insurer before you attempt or authorise any building work, including emergency repairs, and to ask for permission in writing. Unauthorised work may not be covered (Insurance Council).

You can ask. If you want to use your own tradespeople, the Insurance Council says your insurer will consider a request to cash settle your claim, and a cash settlement means you're not restricted to the insurer's preferred suppliers (Insurance Council).

A restoration business directly. Send us the form or call, and with your permission we'll pass your details to one that works in your suburb.

Usually the damage the water caused, but not fixing or replacing the pipe or appliance that leaked. Some insurers exclude gradual leaks completely (CHOICE).

In Queensland, a burst water service or serious leak, a serious roof leak, and flooding or serious flood damage are all emergency repairs. Your tenancy agreement names a repairer for them. Contact your property manager or landlord first (RTA).

If the body corporate claims on its insurance because a lot was damaged by water from a leak in that lot, the lot owner would normally pay the excess (Queensland Government).

Queensland Health says carpets that have been waterlogged for more than two days may need to be removed (Queensland Health). See wet carpet drying.

For emergency help with storm or flood damage, the SES on 132 500 (Queensland Government). Once the roof is covered, the drying can start.

No. Restoration businesses pay us for the enquiries we send them. See our referral marketing disclosure.

We only pass them to one restoration business, and only with your permission. If we can't place your enquiry, we tell you and delete your details within 14 days. Our privacy policy has the detail.