Flooding is every apartment dweller’s nightmare. We sat down with water damage restoration experts at Rytech Nashville to talk about apartment flooding and what course of action to take should this happen to you.
Q: What are the usual causes of apartment flooding?
Rytech Nashville: Just as in a single-family home, apartment flooding can be caused by a heavy rainstorm or a plumbing problem. Another important factor comes into play according to Nashville’s water damage restoration expert Rytech, and it’s not something you can easily control: other people’s behavior. If your upstairs neighbors, for example, allow their bathtub to overflow or delay urgent repair work on leaking pipes, this can cause flooding to all the apartment units beneath them.
Q: What’s the most important thing to keep in mind should this happen?
Rytech Nashville: Your family’s safety should be the foremost priority. Leave the apartment immediately and alert the maintenance manager, property owner, or property management company so they can access the main breaker box and cut the power source. When it’s safe to re-enter your apartment, take photographs of the damage; include photos of your personal property as well as areas inside the apartment that are waterlogged or have standing water.
Q: Do insurance companies cover these cases?
Rytech Nashville: Get in touch with your insurance company to verify if damages to your personal property are covered by your policy; chances are it won’t be if the flooding was caused by natural causes such as a storm. Your landlord’s insurance policy should cover water damage restoration expenses. Knowing your options can help you determine whether or not you need to temporarily store furniture and other valuables, as Nashville hosts several pop-up storms a year.
Q: How can people make sure that it’s safe to move back into their apartment?
Rytech Nashville: The water damage restoration process doesn’t end when your apartment is dry. Mold remediation is the next critical step to prevent toxic mold from thriving and posing serious health risks. Ask your property manager to provide you with a copy of the documents certifying that mold remediation work has been completed.
Water damage restoration and mold remediation will take time; you may not be able to stay in your home until both steps have been completed. When you do come back, make sure your sinks, toilets, and plumbing outlets are in excellent working condition; you will continue to experience damaging water intrusions if there are underlying issues left unresolved.
If you live in an apartment, document any damage, including wet spots on the floors, walls, and ceilings, leaking pipes, or roof problems. The paper trail could help you deduct whatever you’ve spent for repairs from your next rent payment (in some cases).
Rytech Nashville has become a leader in the water damage restoration and mold remediation industry. From its humble beginnings in one location, the company has reached exponential growth and currently provides service to 49 major markets across 25 states. Call (615) 751-8445 for more information.