Do you know what to do if your drain causes a flooded apartment or rental unit? A severely clogged toilet can cause water to back up and flood your apartment. Besides the fact that it is an annoying mess you have to deal with, it can also cause damage to your rental unit. Additionally, it poses a serious health risk. If the flooding happens when you are home, you can react quickly. However, if the flooding occurs while you are away or asleep, it is not quite so easy to deal with. If you experience this type of issue, the first thing to remember is not to panic. Everything will be okay as long as you take care of it right away. Here are some things that you should do if you suffer a flooded apartment or rental unit flooding to minimize damage, and get things back to normal.
Remove the Clog that Caused a Flooded Apartment
Sometimes, a sewer backup is caused by a foreign object, toilet paper, or waste that is stuck in the pipes just below the toilet. Grab a plunger, place it in the toilet over the drain and push down firmly several times. You should feel a bit of resistance as the plunger puts pressure on the clog. If the water recedes and the toilet flushes normally congratulations, you’ve solved the problem.
In cases where this doesn’t solve the problem, close the valve for the toilet under the tank to stop future flushing or a running toilet. If the flooding still continues, it could be a clog in one of the main lines that serve the building. In that case you’re going to need professional help.
Be Very Careful of Wastewater
A sewer backup that floods your bathroom is an unpleasant experience, to say the least. The last thing that you want, however, is to leave any water standing on the floor or on your carpeting. Wastewater contains all kinds of nasty things that can cause serious illnesses. It’s best to get rid of standing water as soon as possible. However, you have to be very careful. Never attempt to clean a mess like this without proper safety equipment like rubber gloves, safety goggles, and high rubber boots. Typically a mixture of bleach and water is used to kill mold and bacteria. If the job seems like a bit much for you, leave the cleanup to a professional with the right equipment.
If You Are a Resident – Call the Landlord
Do not be embarrassed or shy about calling your landlord if you have a flooded apartment issue in your rental unit. Part of their job is to ensure that these types of issues are addressed. Call them immediately to let them know what is happening so they can take care of it. If you wait too long, damage can occur to your unit as well as those below you. No one wants that, and it certainly will not please your landlord or building super to have to make repairs to multiple units. Making a prompt call to the Landlord or Building Super actually makes you a good neighbor!
If You Are the Landlord – Call a Sewer Expert
As a landlord, you are used to dealing with all types of repairs and maintenance issues in your apartment buildings on your own. You can handle most everything. However, a sewer backup is something that you really do need professional help with. For starters, you likely do not have the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to do the job right. You are also not a licensed plumber and making repairs yourself can violate local laws which can cost you dearly in terms of fines and other fees.
Partner with Balkan Drain Cleaning
Now you know what to do if your drain causes a flooded apartment or rental unit. Plumbing and sewer problems are an unfortunate fact of life for NYC residents and landlords. Minor issues can quickly become major problems if they are not addressed in a timely fashion. If you are experiencing flooding in your rental units, slow, gurgling drains, or other issues, contact Balkan Drain Cleaning or by call (718) 641-1222. We will dispatch one of our highly trained, licensed, experienced experts to your location to evaluate the situation and mitigate the damages. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays and weekends if your drain floods your rental unit.
