Do you know what to do if your apartment floods? A flooded apartment can be panic inducing – especially if you’re unprepared. Don’t get caught off guard by flooding in your rental. Read on to learn the steps you should take if your apartment floods.
What to Do When Your Apartment Floods
1) Make Sure Everyone Is Safe
The first thing you should do if your apartment floods is to make sure everyone is safe, including your pets. A small leak with water contained in one area or one room is not as much of a hazard as inches or even feet of water from a natural disaster. Use common sense, be safe and then move to step two.
2) Contact Your Landlord or Property Manager
If there is a broken pipe, a leak from the tenant above you or water coming from another source, the first thing you should do is call your landlord or property manager. With any luck, they can respond immediately and stop the water and reduce the damage. If you can do it safely yourself, turn off the source of the water. Whether that’s a valve that you can shut off or an appliance you can turn off, stop the water if you can.
3) Save Your Stuff!
If you can, move furniture and belongings from the flooded area. Put them in another room or put them up high and out of the water’s reach. If the entire apartment is flooded, do what you can to save as much as you can. It’s important to remove your valuables, especially if you’ll be displaced by the flooding. Put them in your car or take them to a friend or family member’s house for safekeeping.
4) Follow Up on Restoration Plans
Ensure your landlord calls for proper restoration and remediation. Nothing is more important to flood recovery than a quick response by a restoration company.
Why Is Restoration Important in a Flooded Apartment?
Safe, timely and thorough restoration is the most important step in recovering from a flood. If proper drying and mitigation steps are not taken, larger problems will form.
The first and most important thing a restoration company will do after a flood is to remove the water. Water damage to your belongings and the property can set in quickly. Water can warp wood; break down drywall; destroy electronics; compromise the structure of the building; stain and ruin clothing, curtains and upholstery; and worst of all, cause mold growth. If left unchecked, mold may begin growing in less than 24 hours, so water removal is absolutely crucial.
A reliable restoration company will not only handle water removal but they will also complete comprehensive drying, mold remediation, restoration and repair of the apartment and restoration and repair of your belongings. Proper treatment handled quickly and effectively by an experienced restoration team can remediate the damage and get you back in your home as soon as possible.
Choose Rainbow for Flooded Apartment Restoration
No matter the cause, a flooded apartment is a big problem for tenants and property managers. Having the right renter’s insurance coverage, a landlord you can rely on and a team of professionals to help you recover makes all the difference.
Time is of the essence. The sooner remediation begins, the better. Make sure your landlord knows to call Rainbow Restoration for remediation and restoration after a flood. Need help restoring your apartments contents? Call for 24/7 emergency service or schedule an appointment online.
