A broken pipe, a faulty washer, or an unexpected rainstorm can result in your rental being flooded in a matter of minutes. As you see the water move across the floor, the big question becomes: Is this a job I should do myself, or is a professional in order?

This guide takes you through that process and gives you information, in clear decisions, in order for you to take care of both your finances as well as your property. Check this out for more tips and guidance.

When is DIY Enough?

Light, clean-water spills – such as an initial leak from a supply line, would quite likely be a DIY job. If the water has not soaked into the drywall, gotten below the flooring, or interacted with wiring, you can normally mop, wet-vac, and a fan or two to help. You can always use the following to help make decisions:

• Depth – if standing water is less than one-quarter inch deep, you can usually utilize a shop-vac enough.
• Spread – if you are dealing with a single room, good! Now if you are dealing with multiple rooms, then there is a monetary, mental, and more importantly, physical concern.
• Time – if you remove water from an area in 24 hours or less, the risk of hidden mold colonies expands.

You should keep an eye on the humidity at this point too. You could purchase a cheap hygrometer if you feel it’s necessary, that way you can monitor if the moisture levels fall back into normal (30-50 %). But, if you started to notice humidity readings high and remain high, you might want to think about professional structural drying work involved to prevent long-term damage.

Cost of Hiring Experts

Using a professional might feel expensive, however, remember – you are not only paying for labor. Equipment costs are included in costs to operate, including industrial pumps and drying equipment, thermal cameras, and knowledge and experience that minimize or prevent secondary issues. In Brooklyn, an example would be average emergency flood cleanup typically costs $1,200 – $5,000 /each. But, professional flood cleanup costs are higher when:

• Water is gray or black water coming from an appliance or sewage. Moisture travelled upwards of two feet on walls.
• Wood floors or built ins need to be professionally dried.

Be careful before you act. Get two estimates in writing from two different companies. An excellent company will provide a written estimate. For example, Strictly Cleaning Restoration will share an itemized quote showing equipment, monitoring visits, and disposal fees so you can see every line.

Safety Gear You Must Own

Even “clean” water can pose a slip and fall risk, plus left alone, bacteria can develop. Have a small response kit ready:

• Rubber boot with non-skid soles.
• N-95 disposable mask (for dust or light spores of mold).
• Nitrile disposable gloves.
• Plastic sheeting and painters’ tape to seal unaffected rooms.
• Portable GFCI adapter for anything you may plug into your electrical supply.

With a few items, you can pump the water out and get started with dehumidification while exposing yourself to the least personal risk. If you smell anything musty or see any type of discoloration, stop! You may need to take steps of a professional mold remediation process to avoid moving the spores around.

Insurance Claim Pitfalls

The insurance you have as a renter typically covers your personal items but not the structure itself; that is the landlord’s responsibility. Fulfill your obligations as a tenant as soon as possible:

• Document your loss. Take photos before performing any cleanup and keep all receipts for anything rented such as fans or wet vacuum.
• Notify them immediately. Most companies have limits on notifying them of your loss, so if you do not inform them promptly, they may adjust or deny coverage; make sure to read your own policy.
• Do not dispose of anything until approved by the adjuster. You should not throw anything out until the adjuster approves this process (make sure to note on your policy timeline or checklist). If you do not do this, you may be padding your replacement costs. You should also understand if your policy offers coverage for public health risks caused from water damage; some basic plans will not assure you any actual coverage for mold etc.

Who Certifies Restoration Pros?

If the damage exceeds what you can manage, hire a restoration contractor who is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)—see https://iicrc.org/abouttheiicrc/ to learn more. Water Damage Restoration Technician certification means the technician knows what moisture mapping is, the tools for moisture inspection, and how to safely dry the structure. Make sure to ask questions.

• Do you have a technician on staff 24/7 follow-up inspections?
• Will you be taking daily humidity readings?
• Will this company communicate with my insurance company directly?

A certified technician should be able to refer back to their observations and the science of each action they conducted (they are not simply there to sell you time on rental equipment).

Final Thoughts

If the water is shallow, clean, and not leaking, a hard-working renter can easily remove it and dry the area with a few pieces of equipment. However, the moment moisture finds itself behind walls, or you can smell something, or there is any contaminant source—it is time to hire a qualified team to save you thousands of dollars of unknown repairs as a homeowner. Assess your situation realistically and act quickly. Use this guide to help determine the wisest course of action for your circumstances.

DIY or Pro? Water Removal Decision Guide

A broken pipe, a faulty washer, or an unexpected rainstorm can result in your rental being flooded in a matter of minutes. As you see the water move across the floor, the big question becomes: Is this a job I should do myself, or is a professional in order?

This guide takes you through that process and gives you information, in clear decisions, in order for you to take care of both your finances as well as your property. Check this out for more tips and guidance.

When is DIY Enough?

Light, clean-water spills – such as an initial leak from a supply line, would quite likely be a DIY job. If the water has not soaked into the drywall, gotten below the flooring, or interacted with wiring, you can normally mop, wet-vac, and a fan or two to help. You can always use the following to help make decisions:

• Depth – if standing water is less than one-quarter inch deep, you can usually utilize a shop-vac enough.
• Spread – if you are dealing with a single room, good! Now if you are dealing with multiple rooms, then there is a monetary, mental, and more importantly, physical concern.
• Time – if you remove water from an area in 24 hours or less, the risk of hidden mold colonies expands.

You should keep an eye on the humidity at this point too. You could purchase a cheap hygrometer if you feel it’s necessary, that way you can monitor if the moisture levels fall back into normal (30-50 %). But, if you started to notice humidity readings high and remain high, you might want to think about professional structural drying work involved to prevent long-term damage.

Cost of Hiring Experts

Using a professional might feel expensive, however, remember – you are not only paying for labor. Equipment costs are included in costs to operate, including industrial pumps and drying equipment, thermal cameras, and knowledge and experience that minimize or prevent secondary issues. In Brooklyn, an example would be average emergency flood cleanup typically costs $1,200 – $5,000 /each. But, professional flood cleanup costs are higher when:

• Water is gray or black water coming from an appliance or sewage. Moisture travelled upwards of two feet on walls.
• Wood floors or built ins need to be professionally dried.

Be careful before you act. Get two estimates in writing from two different companies. An excellent company will provide a written estimate. For example, Strictly Cleaning Restoration will share an itemized quote showing equipment, monitoring visits, and disposal fees so you can see every line.

Safety Gear You Must Own

Even “clean” water can pose a slip and fall risk, plus left alone, bacteria can develop. Have a small response kit ready:

• Rubber boot with non-skid soles.
• N-95 disposable mask (for dust or light spores of mold).
• Nitrile disposable gloves.
• Plastic sheeting and painters’ tape to seal unaffected rooms.
• Portable GFCI adapter for anything you may plug into your electrical supply.

With a few items, you can pump the water out and get started with dehumidification while exposing yourself to the least personal risk. If you smell anything musty or see any type of discoloration, stop! You may need to take steps of a professional mold remediation process to avoid moving the spores around.

Insurance Claim Pitfalls

The insurance you have as a renter typically covers your personal items but not the structure itself; that is the landlord’s responsibility. Fulfill your obligations as a tenant as soon as possible:

• Document your loss. Take photos before performing any cleanup and keep all receipts for anything rented such as fans or wet vacuum.
• Notify them immediately. Most companies have limits on notifying them of your loss, so if you do not inform them promptly, they may adjust or deny coverage; make sure to read your own policy.
• Do not dispose of anything until approved by the adjuster. You should not throw anything out until the adjuster approves this process (make sure to note on your policy timeline or checklist). If you do not do this, you may be padding your replacement costs. You should also understand if your policy offers coverage for public health risks caused from water damage; some basic plans will not assure you any actual coverage for mold etc.

Who Certifies Restoration Pros?

If the damage exceeds what you can manage, hire a restoration contractor who is certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)—see https://iicrc.org/abouttheiicrc/ to learn more. Water Damage Restoration Technician certification means the technician knows what moisture mapping is, the tools for moisture inspection, and how to safely dry the structure. Make sure to ask questions.

• Do you have a technician on staff 24/7 follow-up inspections?
• Will you be taking daily humidity readings?
• Will this company communicate with my insurance company directly?

A certified technician should be able to refer back to their observations and the science of each action they conducted (they are not simply there to sell you time on rental equipment).

Final Thoughts

If the water is shallow, clean, and not leaking, a hard-working renter can easily remove it and dry the area with a few pieces of equipment. However, the moment moisture finds itself behind walls, or you can smell something, or there is any contaminant source—it is time to hire a qualified team to save you thousands of dollars of unknown repairs as a homeowner. Assess your situation realistically and act quickly. Use this guide to help determine the wisest course of action for your circumstances.