Have you ever had water come through your ceiling and ruin your walls, floors, and insulation? Hiring a restoration service is not cheap; the drying process and extracting gray water cost you $3000.
The water mitigation service serving all of Portland, Oregon, can mitigate the damage by removing excessive moisture through their proven post-flood protocols. They’ll restore your property to its pre-loss condition using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. Aside from that, they’ll also avoid property depreciation and prolong the life of your valuables. Read on to learn how to deal with water damage at your Portland, Oregon, rental property.
Prepare for a Flood
Water damage is a serious issue, but it can also be dealt with effectively. The key to success is preparation. That means knowing your property level of flood risk.
If you don’t know what kind of risk there is for flooding in your area and on your specific property, consult an expert or hire someone who does. Also, do some research online about how high above sea level your home sits, or check out FEMA’s map of flood
Once you know what kind of situation you’re facing, you can take steps to protect your tenants by having necessities like sandbags. Ensure everyone in the house knows what they need to do if they see signs that flooding might occur.
Survey the Damage
Take a look around and make a note of what you see. Ensure to look for any areas that might be hidden from view, like behind carpets or under furniture.
Look for signs of mold growth, which can happen within 48 hours of a flood if not dealt with appropriately. If you see any mold, use bleach to remove it and prevent further growth.
Start Drying the Rental Property
If your Portland, Oregon rental property is damaged by water, it’s important to dry the property quickly. If you don’t, mildew and mold will grow, which can be dangerous for your tenants. Here’s how to dry a rental property in Portland, Oregon:
- Remove all furniture and belongings from the rental property.
- Open up all windows and doors to allow air circulation throughout the property.
- Run fans in strategic locations throughout the house to help circulate air and speed up drying time. For this purpose, you can use inexpensive box fans from any local hardware store.
- Check for standing water on the floors or ceilings of your rental property, then remove as much of it as possible before beginning to dry out your home with fans or dehumidifiers (if necessary).
Remember to turn off the electricity before you start drying.
Contact Water Restoration Company
Once the water has receded from the property, it is important to contact a restoration company to assess the damage’s extent and advise on insulation or drywall replacement. They’ll assess the situation and tell you if it’s something that your regular maintenance crew can handle or if it needs to be sent out for professional repair.
If it’s something that can be fixed easily, they’ll send over their team to start cleaning up and drying out your space so you can get back on track with your business. The sooner you get professional help, the better for your property. You will save money and time.
Know the Landlord’s Responsibilities
As a landlord, you should provide your tenants with safe and habitable rental property. It includes ensuring that all the plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling systems are in good working order. It also includes ensuring that any leaks or flooding problems are addressed so they don’t cause more damage to the property.
You’re not legally responsible for paying for any damages that happen inside your tenant’s unit. The damage on the tenant’s property should be taken care of by the renter’s insurance. Instruct them to file a claim with their insurance company to get back on track with their lives.
Communicate with Tenants
As a landlord, communicating with your tenants is important. You should be available to answer questions and help them navigate the process. Communicate proactively with them about what is happening, who to contact, and how long repairs will take. Most importantly, ensure they know you are on their side and want to help them through this difficult time.
Incidents of water damage can be costly, time-consuming, and downright stressful. You can’t always control whether an incident of this nature will occur, but you can ensure that if you get hit, you’ll be ready to handle it.
