The safety of the people who rent your home is not in question regarding safety. With the money they pay for rent, they expect their home to be regularly maintained. Water damage is one of the biggest issues you need to deal with.
For the past 15 years, TruRenu has offered reliable water damage restoration services. With the experience we have gathered, we can help you solve your water issues easily.
In this article, we will show you how to handle water damage as a landlord and recognize the signs on your property.
Are renters responsible for water damage to my property?
These are not renters' responsibility in most cases. As a landlord, you are responsible for your property's plumbing system. If defects in the plumbing cause water damage, you should be held responsible for it. Water damaged responsibility on your property, including:
⦁ Leaks: When defects in the plumbing system cause the problem, leaks are considered a hazard. Water damage is a result of there being no water in the pipes. Leaks can be an indicator of bad plumbing work. Be alerted if your tenant has experienced an unusual water loss.
⦁ Damp attics: If you have an attic, dampness may indicate a leaky roof. To fix the problem, it's best to hire a professional roofer. If the leak is not fixed immediately, the damage will worsen over time.
⦁ Frozen pipes: This can be prevented by installing a pipe freezer or insulation. However, if the problem is not fixed quickly enough, the damage will be more severe and expensive to repair.
⦁ Natural disasters: When there is an emergency, you will not be able to get back to your property. Depending on the emergency, it might take time to assess the damage.
⦁ Faulty household appliances: When you leak, appliances are affected when they are near the water. This can cause your appliances to malfunction or break down.
⦁ Attic leaks: They happen spontaneously. It might be caused by a cracked roof or chimney that is not properly fixed.
Signs of Water Damage You Should Be Aware of as a Landlord
If you are a landlord, you should be able to recognize the signs of water damage on your property. Here are some signs that indicate there may be a problem:
⦁ Bad odors: Even a subtle water leak may cause bad odors to be present in your home. You can smell them when you walk into the living room. It's advisable to visit the property and drive through it to see whether the odor worsens and whether there are other signs of damage, such as damaged furniture or wet carpets.
⦁ Dirty carpets: If there is a water leak, you will find stains on the carpets in your living room. The carpet may also be damp. If the stain is not very deep, the carpet can be cleaned. However, if it's dry, you might have to replace it.
⦁ Mildew: When there is water damage, you will notice mold on the walls and ceilings. It can result in a musty or damp odor. It would be best to get rid of it before it worsens. The best solution is to hire a professional to remove the mildew or hire a carpet cleaning company.
⦁ High utility bill: A higher-than-usual utility bill could indicate a leak in your home. A sudden spike in your water bill could mean the tenant has been using a lot of water.
⦁ Walls or floorboards: A sign of an attic or bathroom leak is dry/dark patches on the ceiling and wet lines on the warped floorboards. If you have seen these signs, you should immediately inspect the roof and walls for leaks.
Do you need water damage restoration services?
You might have water damage if you see any of the above signs on your property. If that's the case, it would be best for you to hire TruRenu for water damage restoration services. We always provide our renters with a warranty, which means you will get your money back if the work is not up to standard. Our team has years of experience in water damage restoration.
