Water damage moves fast. Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours. Here's the critical response timeline every Strata council and property manager needs to follow.
When water damage hits a Strata building — whether from a burst pipe, roof leak, or flood — the first 48 hours determine whether you're looking at a $5,000 repair or a $50,000 remediation project. Water moves through building materials rapidly, wicking up drywall, soaking into subfloors, and penetrating adjacent units through shared walls and ceilings. Mold can begin colonizing within 24–48 hours in the right conditions.
Hour 0–2: Stop the source and document everything. Shut off the water supply if it's a plumbing failure. If it's a roof leak during a storm, contain the water with tarps and buckets. Immediately begin photographing and videoing the damage — this documentation is critical for insurance claims. Notify your property manager and Strata council president.
Hour 2–6: Call a professional restoration company. This is not a job for a handyman or a regular plumber. Restoration professionals have the equipment, training, and insurance certifications to handle water damage properly. They'll deploy industrial dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture detection equipment to begin drying and assess the full extent of damage — including behind walls and under floors where you can't see.
Hour 6–24: The restoration team should have extraction equipment running, moisture mapping completed, and a drying plan in place. Any saturated drywall, insulation, or carpet padding that can't be dried within 48 hours should be removed. This is also the window to contact your Strata insurance provider and file a claim. Document the restoration company's arrival time, equipment deployed, and initial findings.
Hour 24–48: The critical mold prevention window. If materials are still wet after 48 hours, mold remediation becomes likely. Professional drying equipment should be maintaining relative humidity below 60% and surface temperatures above 15°C to inhibit mold growth. Antimicrobial treatments may be applied to affected areas as a preventive measure.
Beyond 48 hours: With proper professional intervention in the first 48 hours, most water damage events can be resolved without mold remediation. The drying process typically takes 3–5 days depending on the extent of damage. Once the structure is verified dry through moisture testing, repairs can begin — drywall replacement, painting, flooring, and any other finishes affected.
Strata Property Services handles water damage restoration through our dedicated restoration division. We coordinate between the plumbing team (to fix the source), the restoration crew (to dry and remediate), and the drywall and painting teams (to rebuild). One company, one point of contact, complete documentation for insurance claims. Call 604-761-1518 for 24/7 emergency response.