What To Do After A Flood In Your Apartment Complex

5/5/2021 (Permalink)

Floods can occur suddenly in places like Middle Tennessee thanks to an abundance of spring storms and flood zones. However, there is so little information on what to do after this occurs when you least expect it. For this reason, we’ve gathered together a few action items you should take post-flood in your apartment complex.

So, your apartment complex flooded and you’re not sure what to do? We advise the following.

How Do I Know Where The Flooding Is Coming From?

If you manage to notice the flooding right as it’s occurring, figure out where it’s coming from. Was it:

• A water source left on that you can quickly turn off?
• Did a pipe burst and result in water gushing everywhere throughout your apartment? 

Knowing where the flooding is coming from will dictate your next move.

When/Should I Notify My Landlord?

As a renter, you have limited ability to call in professionals and have them deal with a flooded apartment. Notify your landlord ASAP if flooding has or is occurring and you’re not able to take care of it directly yourself. If you are the landlord, then call the professionals to take care of the water extraction and drying processes. Especially if the water damage is coming from a burst pipe, shut off the water main if you have access to it.

What Can I Do To Help After A Flood?

1. Document the damage
2. Contact your insurance company
3. Notify your neighbors

Your insurance company will need pictures of the flood damage in your apartment, so make sure to take photos to document it if you can safely do so. If your apartment is full of water and it’s impossible to safely document the damage, this can be worried about later.

With pictures in hand, contact your insurance company to file a claim and get as much of the damage covered as possible. When you do this, or even before you do this, you should also notify your neighbors on either side of you as well as your neighbors below you that flooding has occurred. This may affect their walls or ceilings and need to be looked at, taken care of, or repaired, too.

Flooding is always a headache, but knowing what to do after a flood can help you feel a little more prepared in the event that one occurs. We recommend putting SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville’s number in your phone to call in the event of flooding, water damage, fire damage, mold, or other emergencies that need to be attended to by disaster restoration professionals. Contact us at (615) 242-9391. This franchise is independently owned and operated.