Water damage is the most common disaster in homes. Don’t worry! Your home insurance, compulsory for tenants and co-owners and strongly recommended for owners of individual houses, covers damage caused by water damage. How to limit the extent of the damage? When should you notify your insurer? What steps must be taken that to do in case of water damage – Step #1: stop the leak to limit the extent of the damage

Time is key when dealing with water damage! When you notice the water damage, you must act quickly to stop the water leak and prevent the situation from worsening. Also, be sure to take photos of the damage. Your insurer may ask you for them.

If the water damage seems to come from your home and depending on the extent of the flooding:

– Turn off the water supply and mop up the excess water

– Cut off the electricity to avoid short circuits and the risk of electrocution

– Call the fire department if your home is underwater

– Notify your neighbors and the trustee to check that no other accommodation has been affected

– Call a plumber like water damage cleaning for example if the source of the leak is not obvious and if you cannot fix it on your own.

If you notice that the water damage has caused damage to the paintings, the furniture, and the floor, the work can only be considered after the visit of the expert who will estimate the amount of the damage. However, you can begin collecting photos and proof of purchase to build your case.

If the water damage seems, on the contrary, to come from a neighbor, warn him as soon as possible so that he can do what is necessary to limit the damage. In case of absence, you can notify the caretaker of the building or the fire brigade so that they can intervene. In the event of water damage in the common areas of a condominium, the trustee in charge of the maintenance of the building will take action.

I Am A Tenant. Should I Notify My Landlord?

In any case, notify your landlord when you become aware of the water damage. The leak’s origin will determine your liability and the insurance contract (yours or the owner’s), which will have to cover the damage. If the search for a leak shows that the water damage is due to obsolescence or poor artistry, the owner’s insurance will have to cover the claim. On the other hand, the tenant must maintain the accommodation in good condition. Therefore, if the leak comes from a lack of maintenance, your insurance will have to cover the damage.