A flooded home is a nightmare scenario no one wants to deal with. Beyond damaging your possessions, flooding can put you in danger, disrupt your way of life, and have lasting, long-term consequences. One important difference in dealing with water damage is whether you own or rent the home. Overall, your response will be similar, but there are subtle differences between homeowners and renters that are worth acknowledging.
From our water damage restoration team at Flood Pro, here is your renter’s guide to dealing with water damage.
Even minor floods can still pose significant health consequences. This occurs when the water is contaminated with dangerous bacteria and microorganisms or when it compromises electrical systems or gas lines. Don’t risk putting your health on the line! After a flood, it’s best to avoid all contact with the floodwater until your home has been assessed by a certified water damage restoration expert.
Once your safety is ensured, your next thought should be to stop the flooding to mitigate the overall amount of water damage. Doing this as swiftly as possible is essential since the sooner you stop the flood the less water there will be wreaking havoc in your home. If you have access to the water shut-off valve in your apartment, you can also look for that to stop any flooding that may be originating from your own water. If you don’t know where this is, it’s worth asking your landlord so you can be prepared in the case of a flood.
Oftentimes, the worse thing about a flood is not the damage it causes to your home but the irreversible damage it can cause to your valued possessions. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, it’s important that you remove any damaged possessions from the floodwater as soon as possible so they can begin drying out.
If you live in an apartment surrounded by neighbors, they may also be dealing with the same water damage problem. Notifying them can help them save their valuable possessions and limit the amount of damage in their home. If the floodwater contains dangerous contaminants, you may also be helping preserve their health.
Finally, contacting your landlord is an essential next step in responding to a water damage disaster. The sooner you let your landlord know about the disaster, the sooner they will be able to reach out to a certified water damage restoration company to come out and repair the damage. Your landlord is motivated to take care of the damage as soon as possible just like you are so make it a priority to let them know as soon as possible.
At Flood Pro, we hope you find the tips above helpful for dealing with a flooded rental and making the best of a bad situation. Don’t hesitate to give us a call for help, we can help you get back on your feet.
