SERVPRO of Metairie outlines what to do if your apartment is flooded

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: Is your apartment flooded? The water restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Metairie outline what to do to prevent damage.

Dealing with a flooded apartment is an overwhelming situation no one wants to be in. Not only does flooding make your home inhabitable, but it can also lead to water damage to your home structure and belongings.

When left unattended, a flooded home can lead to property deterioration and mold formation, and the only way to reduce the damage is to act quickly.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Metairie, a leading flood restoration service provider in Metairie, have outlined the following steps to take to prevent loss when your apartment is flooded.

1. Determine the source

Finding the root of a flooding issue is the first step in solving it. Burst pipes, sewage backups, overflowing sinks, and leaking roofs can all cause flooding. Remember that the apartment next to or above yours may be the source of the issue rather than your house.

Once the water circulation has run out, locate the main water valve in your apartment and close it to prevent water from entering. If it's coming from another apartment, just knock on their door and inquire whether they require assistance closing theirs.

Hurricanes and heavy downpours can also cause flooding, and there's very little you can do to stop this.

2. Ensure everyone's safety

Even a modest amount of water might be harmful in some situations. This is particularly true if flooding occurs in an area with exposed electrical wiring or when a sewage backup occurs and fills your home with contaminated water. Move every member of your family and your pet to a safe location for the period until your home is restored.

3. Keep track of the damage

Once the apartment is safe to enter, the next thing to do after turning off the water source is to make a list of all the damage done. Your insurance provider and property manager (if you live in a rental) should have this. Take pictures of your damaged belongings and any damage you notice to the walls, ceilings, or floors. Save all property loss until an insurance evaluator can visit and take pictures of the worst-case scenario items. Nothing should be disposed of until they give the all-clear.

4. Protect your belongings

Move furniture and other belongings away from the flooded area if you can. Put them in a different room or place them high and away from the water. Do all you can to save even more of your belongings if the entire apartment is flooded. Getting your valuable possessions like jewelry and documents out is crucial, especially if flooding will force you to leave your home. Put these in your car or transport them to a friend's or relative's home for storage.

5. Request cleaning and repairs to the apartment

Typically, your landlord would be liable for repairs involving the overall construction of the flat and any included appliances. This process would often involve drying out the areas affected, removing any items that are damaged beyond repair, and treating damp areas to prevent the spread of mold.

6. Hire a flood restoration professional

While your landlord would cover the cleaning of the property structure, you might need to employ professional cleaning and flood restoration services to thoroughly clean and restore your property. Any personal items you may have brought, like your furniture. If you own the apartment, then you'll bear the cost of any repairs.

Get Professional Flood Restoration Services in Metairie

SERVPRO of Metairie is the trusted name when it comes to flood restoration and other water damage restoration services in Metairie. They have highly trained and experienced technicians that can handle all types of flooding and get your home back to a habitable state in no time.

They also offer additional services like mold remediation and fire damage restoration, which deal with mold growth that may result from untreated extra water on the properties.

Are you ready to get started? Call SERVPRO of Metairie at (504) 496-0193 for a free consultation or quote.