What Rockhampton homeowners ask in the first phone call.
Most home and contents policies cover sudden water damage: burst pipes, failed hot water systems, storm water entering through damage. Where Queensland policies differ is flood (river rises and run-off), which some include and some make optional. Check your PDS or call your insurer early. Two things hold almost everywhere: you're expected to take reasonable steps to limit further damage, so acting fast helps your claim rather than hurting it, and documentation wins. Photos before anything moves, moisture readings, receipts.
Stop the water at the source, switch off power to affected areas, lift furniture and belongings clear, and call. Don't bother with towels beyond the obvious puddles, and don't crank the air-con, because neither touches the water in the underlay and wall cavities. Full first-steps list here.
Typically 2 to 5 days with commercial air movers and dehumidifiers, depending on how much water got in, how long it sat and the weather. The equipment runs continuously and progress is tracked with moisture meters. The job is done when the readings say dry, not when it feels dry.
If it was clean water and extraction starts within about 24 hours, usually yes, often including the underlay. Clean water that sat for days, or any contaminated water, usually means new underlay and a judgement call on the carpet. You'll get a straight answer on site, not a maybe.
Not too late, but it's now a moisture-and-mould investigation rather than an extraction job. The water that never dried is still in the structure somewhere. Moisture mapping finds it, and remediation deals with what's grown. Waiting longer only grows the scope.
Yes. Most restoration jobs here run alongside a claim. The crew documents everything in insurer-ready form: timestamped photos, an inventory of removed materials, moisture logs and a scope of works. You stay the decision-maker on your own claim.
For clean-water events with power isolated from wet areas, usually yes. Expect noise from drying equipment for a few days. For contaminated water (sewage, flood water) or significant mould, stay out of the affected rooms until they're cleaned and cleared. You'll get a clear answer for your situation on assessment.
Different situation? Describe it through the contact form or call. Phone advice is free.