Apartment flooding — No renter wants to deal with this situation, but when your Chicago apartment incurs water damage, you have to act quickly. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure your apartment flood doesn’t ruin every aspect of your daily life, especially if you act fast.
Dealing With Flooding in Your Chicago Apartment
Below are some great tips that will help you determine how to respond to Chicago floods in your apartment:
- Stay calm when you see that your apartment has flooded. The first thing you should do is be concerned for your safety, your family’s safety, and your pets’ safety. Turn off any electricity to your apartment or have your maintenance personnel do it on your behalf.
- Take a few pictures. Though the last thing you’re probably thinking of is your smartphone, it can be a lifesaver. Images help you prove your case when you send in an insurance claim regarding your apartment flood. Although you don’t want to spend hours taking images, make sure you do get enough pictures to express the extent of the water damage.
- Move Some Items. When it’s safe to deal with the water (after any risk of electrical shock has been eliminated), start to move any items you can away from the water. You can also begin to remove the water itself, if that’s possible.
- Contact a water damage professional. In Chicago, just make a call to ServiceMaster of Lincoln Park, day or night. We’re well-versed in how to clean up after an apartment flood event. Even if your flooding experience seems small, it’s essential to get clean-up services from professionals. That way, you can be sure the damage won’t be far greater.
- Start the drying out process. This can include adding fans to your apartment or opening all the windows. The faster the water dries, the less time it will have to do damage. Plus, the apartment will smell much better — which is important if you cannot live somewhere else. With that being said, if you are sensitive to mold or mildew or you or a family member have allergies or asthma, it’s recommended to seek out another place to stay. Even if you have to pay for a hotel, it’s better than living in a space that may be contaminated.
- Let your maintenance personnel and landlord know immediately. You need to keep everyone in your building aware of what’s happened. Don’t assume everyone knows that your apartment has flooded or that you’ve been the victim of water damage.
- Get in touch with your renter’s insurance carrier. Explain to them what’s happened, and avoid using the word “flood” if you can. Opt instead for the term “water damage,” which is a phrase they’re more familiar with. Flooding is usually focused on water that comes from a groundwater flood event, and that might not describe your apartment water damage experience. You’ll need to know all the info necessary to make an insurance claim. The water damage professional team working on your apartment should be able to help you with this type of claim.
- Be patient. It can be tough to sit back and wait, but it’s wise. Take a deep breath and know there are always ways to remedy any water damage situation when you have experts working for you.
Act Quickly, But Don’t Panic
The biggest tip of all is to do something and take action immediately. Water damage that’s allowed to fester will only worsen. The quicker you are able to get it cleaned up, the quicker you’ll be back to your regular Chicago apartment living! Contact us today for any flooding or water damage needs in the Chicago area.
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