One moment you’re enjoying your morning coffee in the living room and the next you’re ankle-deep in water.
Whether due to weather or a malfunctioning appliance, an apartment flood is unsettling. There’s no time to waste shuffling around or waiting for water to magically disappear.
Immediately following an apartment flood, call a professional. Maximize your chances of recovering in peace by partnering with a water damage restoration company such as Allphase Roofing & Restoration.
If the situation becomes dire before our team arrives, follow the helpful steps below.
Prioritize Safety
Don’t go into a flooded room or area without proper protection. While we don’t recommend roaming impacted spaces without professional assistance, make sure to put on protective gear when doing so.
Your health is the most important thing, so protect it with intention:
- Turn Off The Electricity: If you can make your way to the main control center, switch off the electricity. This protects you from electrocution, as water will continue to rise. Leave spaces where water is close to an outlet and do not enter without the help of a professional.
- Avoid Standing Water: You have no idea what could be found in standing water. Flooded water, especially from the outside, could contain glass, sharp objects, or harmful bacteria.
- Watch For Gas Leaks: If you smell gas, even faintly, call your gas company. Hissing noises are also a clear sign that a gas leak is on-site.
- Evacuate If Necessary: Don’t let the damage become dangerous before leaving. Evacuate at the first sign of a gas leak, contaminated water, or potential electrocution. Make your way to a safe, water-free space.
Try to Identify the Source of the Flooding
First, verify that it’s safe to move around your space before attempting to find the water source.
Once you’re sure you’re safe to inspect, identify and stop the flow of water in this order:
- If it’s a burst pipe, try and locate the main valve. When found, shut it off immediately to minimize the amount of leaking water.
- For leaking appliances, unplug them. Remember to stay away from spots where electrical outlets and water may meet.
- External water requires additional mitigation steps to be dealt with. Rain, sewage backups, and other outside exposures can be stifled using temporary flood barriers like sandbags.
Stop the Source of Water
We know that the water outlets in your home may be different from others. That’s why we’ve compiled a step-by-step flood mitigation list dependent on the types of appliances you have in your home.
Here’s how to stop water flowing from common household outlets:
- Toilets: Go behind the toilet and look for the main valve. Once located, switch it off.
- Washing Machines: Washing machines also have their main valve located at the back of the machine. So, simply find and turn it off.
- Water Heaters: Most water heater valves are located near or around the unit. Check your water heater closet if you have one. Follow the same steps as the other appliances.
Document the Damage
For accurate insurance coverage, you’ll want to take photos and videos of every impacted area. Even the smallest spots could help you qualify for flood insurance coverage.
If you need help documenting wet, damaged, or moldy areas, make sure to call Allphase. We’re locally available to provide expert documentation assistance that gets you the coverage you need.
You want to make sure you document:
- Impacted Areas of the Apartment
- Damaged appliances, surfaces, and furniture
- Ruined Personal Belongings
- Floors, Ceilings, and Walls with Water Damage
PRO TIP: Include the exact time and date of each photo, as this will serve as concrete evidence of the floor occurring. In addition to timestamps, take wide shots of the damage for context.
Notify Your Landlord
Your landlord or property manager could potentially be a huge help in the recovery process. At the time of or directly following a flood, contact your property manager.
They know the ins and outs of your place, so they should know how to tackle the claims process.
Provide them a full picture of what’s gone on, not limited to:
- The Time the Water Touched Down
- The Source of the Water
- The Size/Extent of the Damage
Contact Your Renter’s Insurance Provider
Most apartments require renter’s insurance to sign. They do this so that when emergencies happen, you have proper coverage without the hassle.
If a flood has taken over your place, be sure to call your insurance provider. They will walk you through what is covered and what may not be.
Usually, renter’s insurance covers:
- Damaged Personal Property
- Temporary Housing Costs
Your insurance provider will most likely set you up with a place to stay if yours has become inhabitable. Make sure to communicate the severity of the damage at hand so this can be arranged.
Begin Water Removal
Now that you’ve got the go-ahead from your landlord, you may begin extracting water. Maximize your chances of a quick recovery by:
- Using a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or bucket to lift away water
- Opening windows or using fans to dehumidify the space
- Avoiding household tools or electrical devices
- Starting with the lowest point of exposure to prevent spreading
Dry Out the Apartment
Mold won’t wait for you to have the right equipment to develop. Within 48 hours of the flood, expect spores to pop up. You can easily prevent moisture buildup with these easy steps:
- Pull and remove wet carpets from the area
- Improve air circulation with fans, dehumidifiers, or open windows
- Wipe down all wet surfaces: walls, floors, furniture
- Throw away water-damaged items that cannot be recovered
Sanitize Affected Areas
Most floodwater is going to be infected. It will naturally carry inside external bacteria or contaminants.
Stay vigilant against standing water bacteria by sanitizing impacted surfaces, furniture, and personal items.
Of course, a professional removal and restoration service is always available to aid in this process.
If you’re going at it alone, easily curb unwanted bacteria at home:
- Disinfect Hard Surfaces
- Wear Protective Gear
- Deep Clean Soft Surfaces
- Discard Unremediable Items
- Clean Hidden or Small Areas
You want to act fast to minimize the potential for illness. Immunocompromised people need to work extra fast to eliminate undetectable bacteria.
Monitor for Mold and Prevent Future Growth
Know the signs before they appear. Mold commonly appears quickly, lining moisture-excessive surfaces such as cabinets or floor panels.
Keep an eye out for mold growth in these forms:
- Musty Odors
- Discoloration on Walls, Ceiling, or Floors
- Peeling Paint/Bubbling Surfaces
An easy way to remove mold spores at home is by using a simple bleach solution. Made up of one cup of bleach and one gallon of water, you should be able to lift spores in small amounts.
Larger mold presence may require a professional removal or remediation company.
Allphase is available for immediate mold removal at any hour.
How to Safeguard
In addition to making sure you’ve got the right coverage, preventative measures are imperative. Install durable gutters to block out extraneous water exposure.
It’s all about intentional, high-quality prevention for apartment protection.
Your property owner probably already has these simple yet effective measures in place:
- Powerful Gutter System
- Sump Pumps
- Flood Insurance
- Flood Sensors
Common Causes of Apartment Flooding
Weather-related flood risk is dependent on where you’re located, but everyday floods like appliance leaks can happen anywhere. Without warning, your appliances, pipes, or drains may produce structurally-altering water damage.
To properly address this topic, let’s split it into two categories: external and internal flood causes.
With the right preparation, you can curb either at any time.
Internal Causes:
- Burst Pipes
Pressure, cold temperatures, and age can cause pipes to burst. Although exasperated by weather, pipes that are susceptible to bursting have probably been under pressure for a while.
This is why professional inspections are essential in prevention.
- Appliance Malfunctions
Appliances that get a lot of use like washing machines or dishwashers require routine maintenance to remain functioning. When they don’t get the attention they need, they crumble under pressure.
When an appliance randomly starts leaking, look to an expert for mitigation. You won’t necessarily have the tools and techniques needed to repair it, so it’s best to call for backup.
- Plumbing Issues
It takes one aging pipe to take down an entire structure. If you know that your apartment experiences frequent plumbing issues, take action and get these repairs done.
A simple repair service could be the difference between a small, easily-remediable leak to a widespread building flood. Call your local plumbing service or building management for assistance.
External Causes:
- Severe Weather
With high flood-risk areas, it’s important to verify that the perimeter of the house is guarded. This means checking that gutters are working properly and that there aren’t foundation issues.
Heavy rainfall can very easily seep through the cracks in the foundation, causing a plethora of unwanted consequences.
Make sure to have a readily accessible restoration company if you live in one of these areas.
- House Foundation Cracks and Leaks
Sometimes, a leak has simple causes. Older or impact-damaged homes/apartments cannot withstand heavy water exposure.
Cracks beneath the foundation are essentially internal openings, meaning it’s fairly easy for rain or storm water to drop in.
Why You Should Trust AllPhase to Cleanup Your Flooded Apartment
We’ve made a clear case for professional flood damage restoration services, but who should you trust during your time of need? Allphase Roofing & Restoration has been serving the Greater Columbus area with accessible, hassle-free water damage solutions since 2010.
It’s our mission to make the recovery process as simple as possible, and that starts with being available 24/7.
No matter if you need emergency, preventive, or everyday service, trust us with your property.
Some additional water damage services we offer in your area include flooded basement cleanup, water heater basement flooding, and toilet overflow cleanup services.
Contact Us for Your Flood Restoration Needs
Need immediate water damage attention at your apartment?
Contact us to receive instant relief from leaking, surging, or puddling water. We’re happy to employ our award-winning floor restoration services.
Flooded Apartment FAQ
What should I do if my upstairs neighbor floods my apartment?
Contact the neighbor as well as your property manager. Document everything the water has touched, including personal items.
What causes apartment flooding the most?
Common causes of apartment floods include burst pipes, harsh weather, clogged drains, and leaky appliances.
How can I minimize water damage in my apartment after a flood?
Speak with your building management immediately and partner with a professional restoration company to minimize water damage following a flood.
Should I contact my landlord if my apartment is flooded?
Yes, immediately make them aware of the situation. Send over pictures and videos so they can have a clear view of the damage at hand.
My apartment flooded, what are my rights?
In Ohio, you have the right to a water-free or livable space and are eligible to break your lease if necessary. Always check with your insurance provider first to see what coverage you may receive.
How long does it take for an apartment to dry out after a flood?
It can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. This is highly dependent on how much water is present and how long it’s been on-site.
