Water Damage Restoration & Drying
When water gets into your home, the clock starts on mould. We find where the moisture went, dry the structure properly, remove what can’t be saved, and confirm the job before walls are closed up.
Why water damage is a mould problem
A burst pipe, a leaking water heater, an overflowing appliance, a roof leak or overland flooding can all soak a home in minutes. The water you can see is only part of it. Water wicks up drywall, soaks into insulation and subfloors, and sits in wall cavities where fans alone won’t reach it. Materials that stay wet for more than a day or two can start to grow mould, and a musty odour usually follows.
Medallion Healthy Homes is a restoration company specializing in mould and odour abatement, and that is the lens we bring to water damage. The goal is not just a floor that looks dry. It is a structure that is dry, clean and unlikely to grow mould later.
How we restore water-damaged homes
- Assess and make safe. We confirm the water source has been stopped, identify whether the water was clean, grey or contaminated (such as sewage or river water), and note any safety concerns. Homes built before 1990 get asbestos testing before materials are disturbed, following WorkSafeBC guidance.
- Detect the moisture. We take moisture readings across floors, walls and framing to map how far the water travelled, including areas that look dry on the surface.
- Remove what can’t be saved. Soaked insulation, carpet pad and drywall that can’t be dried, or that was soaked by contaminated water, is removed. Where walls need to be opened, we use flood cuts to expose the wet cavity.
- Dry the structure. Dehumidifiers and air movers are set up for the space and adjusted as the materials dry. We keep taking readings until the materials are back to normal levels for their type.
- Clean and prevent mould. Affected areas are HEPA vacuumed and treated to prevent mould growth. If mould has already started, the work moves to mould remediation under containment.
- Verify. Final moisture readings confirm the structure is dry, and where the scope calls for it, air or surface samples are analyzed by an accredited lab before anything is closed in.
Moisture detection: finding the water you can’t see
Most mould we see after a leak grows where nobody looked: behind baseboards, under flooring, inside the wall next to the one that got wet, or in a crawl space below. Moisture readings tell us where the water actually went, so drying and removal are based on evidence, not guesswork. They also give you a record for your insurance claim and for your own peace of mind. See inspection & testing for how we test.
Mould prevention after water damage
Fast, thorough drying is the best mould prevention there is. On top of that, we address the conditions that let mould take hold: we remove wet porous materials instead of drying them in place when they won’t recover, clean affected framing, and check that the area isn’t being re-wetted by a hidden leak, poor drainage or condensation. Basements and crawl spaces often need extra attention; see basement & crawlspace mould. For added protection after restoration, ask about our Active Safeguard coating.
Odours after a leak or flood
Musty and sewage odours can linger after the water is gone. Because odour abatement is one of our specialties, we remove the source first, then use ozone odour treatment in the empty space where it’s needed. We don’t mask it. We remove it.
What to do right now
Stop the water if you can safely do so, keep away from standing water near electrical outlets, photograph the damage for your insurer, and move wet contents out of the area. Our guide on what to do after a flood or water damage has a full checklist.
Why Medallion
We have been in business for 29 years, since 1997. Our founder, Jesse Schmidt, is a mould and odour specialist, and our team is CIE (Certified Indoor Environmentalist), CRMI (Certified Residential Mould Inspector) and SCC Technologies certified. Work follows WorkSafeBC OHS Guideline G4.79.
Your next step
Every property is different, so we start by understanding yours. You get a clear written scope before any work begins. Get a free assessment or call 604-619-6655.
See also: Mould Remediation · Basement & Crawlspace Mould · Inspection & Testing
Common questions
How soon should drying start after water damage?
As soon as possible. Wet drywall, insulation, carpet and wood can begin to grow mould within about 24 to 48 hours, so stopping the water and starting drying quickly is the best way to limit damage.
Can wet drywall and flooring be saved?
Sometimes. Materials soaked by a clean-water leak and dried quickly can often stay. Materials soaked by sewage, overland flooding or long-standing water usually have to be removed. Moisture readings, not guesswork, decide.
How do you know the structure is dry?
We take moisture readings at the start, during drying and at the end, and compare them with unaffected areas of the same material. Walls are not closed up until the readings confirm the materials are dry.
Will I get mould after a leak or flood?
Not if the materials are dried quickly and properly. Mould needs moisture, so the risk comes from water left hidden in wall cavities, subfloors and insulation. If mould has already started, we remove it under containment and verify the result.
Do you work with my insurance company?
We can provide the written scope, moisture readings and photos of the work for your claim. Call your insurer early, and photograph the damage before anything is moved.
Do you rebuild after water damage?
Our work is drying, removal of damaged materials, mould prevention and verification. Rebuilding is not included unless it is stated in your written quote; optional drywall reinstatement can be scoped with the job.
How do I get a quote?
Call 604-619-6655 or send the quote form. Every property is different, so we start with a free assessment and give you a clear written scope before any work begins.
Where we work
From our Maple Ridge head office we serve Maple Ridge, Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby, Chilliwack and more. See all service areas →
Let’s start with your home
Every property is different. Tell us what you’re seeing or smelling and we’ll help you understand the right next step. No pressure, no obligation.