What to do if your apartment becomes flooded?

4/2/2024 (Permalink)

A photo of SERVPRO drying equipment in the kitchen of an apartment.

What to do if your apartment becomes flooded?

SERVPRO of Southaven/Horn Lake highlights the steps to water removal from an apartment.

Being in a flooded apartment is an awful experience. The water can damage your belongings and put you out of your home for days. The effects of a flooded flat are numerous, ranging from mold growth to wet carpets and broken furnishings.

As a homeowner or renter, you must act fast when faced with water damage to limit the level of damage. The starting point is to get all the water out of the building.

The water restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Southaven/Horn Lake, a leading water removal company in Mississippi, have outlined the following tips for water removal in a flooded apartment.

1. Identify the cause of the flooding

Floods vary greatly from one another. Flooding from ruptured frozen pipes is different from flooding caused by a sewage backup. Identifying the precise cause of the flooding will increase the chances of quickly solving the issue.

Let's say the flooding in your residence results from a blocked and overflowing toilet. You may close the water valve supplying the toilet to prevent the flooding from getting worse.

2. Pump out the water

A pump can be helpful if you have standing water several inches deep. But, it’s important to pump slowly, as pumping water out too quickly could undermine the property’s foundations.

Sump pumps can be rented for approximately $50 per day or bought for $100 and higher. However, it’s always best to engage a water damage restoration expert, as they have the required tools, including industrial water pumps.

3. Use a bucket

Another way to get water from your property if you don’t have a pump is with a bucket. It’s very straightforward; pack the water in the bucket and pour it outside or inside a larger container, which you’ll discharge outside.

While this is economical, removing water with a bucket can be very stressful and time-consuming.

4. Contact your neighbors

Notifying your neighbors of the flood in your apartment is polite, especially if you have downstairs neighbors.

Depending on the extent of the flooding, the water can easily flow into their flat from the ceiling. Giving them advance notice will prevent that unpleasant surprise and allow them time to take preventative measures.

5. Speak with your landlord

The next step is to contact your landlord if you rent rather than own your unit. You should contact your landlord as soon as possible to inform them about the problem because they are in charge of preventing damage to the property, including water damage.

6. Secure your belongings

If your apartment is flooded, you most likely won't be able to shield all of your belongings from water damage. You should relocate anything you can from the flooded area to prevent massive damage. The items can be kept in a room far from the flooded area or placed high enough so that the water won't reach them.

Grab as many belongings as you can if you have to evacuate your house due to flooding.

7. Speak with your insurance provider

Renters' insurance is a must if you rent a place. While the expense of fixing the structure is your landlord's responsibility, the loss of your personal property is probably covered by your renter's insurance policy.

However, keep in mind that damage from some types of flooding is typically not covered by renters' insurance. For instance, unless you have a particular flood rider, your renters' insurance usually won't cover the damage if your apartment floods during a hurricane.

Get professional water removal services in Mississippi

You can rely on SERVPRO of Southaven/Horn Lake to handle water removal in your apartment. Their team of certified water damage technicians is trained to clean up water damage as quickly and effectively as possible. They will arrive at your home with state-of-the-art tools to clean, dry, and restore the apartment and belongings to their preloss state.

Are you ready to get started? Call SERVPRO of Southaven/Horn Lake today!

Preventing Springtime Water Damage

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

We all know the old saying, "April showers bring May flowers." With springtime comes heavy downpours, which can bring unwanted surprises to light on your property like roof leaks or water that comes through your home's foundation. Soggy carpets and dripping ceilings often lead to water damage. Have no fear! Taking the following steps can help prevent water damage in the spring.

Tips to Prevent Springtime Water Damage

• Groom your gutters. Keep the flow flowing! By cleaning your gutters and keeping them damage-free, water will be directed away from your house with downspout extensions.
• Cover up! Using plastic covers around window wells can keep rain from seeping in.
• Show your roof some love. Give your roof some much-needed TLC by replacing missing singles, any damage from storms or weather, and keep flashing sealed. We promise it's worth the effort!
• Be an Einstein landscaper. When putting decoration or landscaping around your home, make sure to slope the ground away from your foundation. This will help prevent water from pooling and causing future water damage issues.
• It's all about the foundation. By repairing cracks and holes in your home's foundation as soon as they are found, you can keep the water away and minimize your odds of water damage!

Preventative Water Damage Maintenance with your SERVPRO of Southaven & Horn Lake team!

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

Areas prone to water damage.

There are times when we can’t control what happens to our homes or businesses, but there are some things that we can do to help lower the chances.  Water damage is one of the most common causes of damage to your property.  It can be from a weather occurrence or from directly inside the house.  Here are a few things that you can check for to see how well you are doing.

Water Shut Off Valve - Everyone needs to know where this is and how to turn it off.  Most water shut off valves require a special tool to turn it off, while others just require the turning of a lever.

Gutters - Keeping your gutters clean might sound simple, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep water going where it was designed to go.

Pipe Freezing - This one doesn’t happen too often in our area, but wrapping your pipes when the temperature is close to 32 with strong winds can definitely save you a major problem.  All hardware stores sell covers/wraps for your outdoor pipes and faucets.

Roof Inspection - You should check your roof for leaks at least once per year.  You can do this yourself by taking a look inside of your attic after a good rain to see if you notice any leaks.  It would be wise to hire a professional every few years to do a more in-depth inspection.  This small cost every few years could save you a major one down the road.

Check For Leaks - Checking your home for leaks is pretty quick and simple.  All you have to do is crawl beneath the sinks every once in a while to make sure that everything is working properly.  You also can’t forget to check the hot water heater.  You will want to look for any water leakage around the area as well as the condition of the drip pan.  The drip pan is your first defense against a leaky water heater.

If your home or office suffers any damage, the crew at SERVPRO is here to help!