Oh No! My Apartment Flooded, What Do I Do?!

8/25/2020 (Permalink)

This multiple unit water damage was caused by a pipe leak.

Dealing with water damage is never fun but it is especially a nightmare for renters. Water can cause very extensive damage and result in costly repairs. Follow the tips below to know what to do next if your apartment floods.

1. Identify The Source: Whether the issue is a leaking pipe, overflowing sink or toilet, or leaking washing machine line, the first step is finding where the water is coming from. It may be possible to turn off the water source from a source by the toilet, under the sink or valve connected to the washing machine.
2. Contact Your Landlord Or Property Manager: You want to protect your belongings but your Landlord or Property Manager also wants to protect their property. Make them aware of the damages immediately, as the extent of the damage will continue to increase the more time passes. Water damages are not unlikely to happen, so they should have a plan in place when this occurs. In order for a restoration company to come in and mitigate the water damage, the owner of the property must authorize them to begin services since tenants are unable to make decisions on a property that does not belong to them.
3. Notify Your Neighbors: It is courteous to notify your neighbors of any flooding or water damage you have experienced especially if you live above someone else. There is a high possibility that your water disaster can affect your neighbor's unit as well. Make sure your neighbor looks out for any slow leaks or mold growth that may appear as a result.
4. Access And Document All Damage: Take time to document the damages to your unit. Take plenty of photos with the date, time and notes of the damage. They will come in handy when working with your landlord's insurance company and your renter's insurance company.
5. Contact Your Insurance Company: If you have renter’s insurance on your apartment, call and inquire to see if your policy covers the damage. There is a high possibility that your renter's insurance policy will cover any water leak in your apartment that causes water damage to your personal belongings.
6. Discuss Repairs And Professional Cleaning: Talk to the landlord or Property Manager about how maintenance and repairs will work. Make notes of the repairs being done and report any ongoing leaks or delayed maintenance work. Once the repairs are done, you’ll most likely need professional cleaning from a company like SERVPRO to restore your apartment.

Whatever the case may be, our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team is highly trained to clean and properly document the entire process ensuring that all parties involved are kept informed.