Water Damage at Home: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
⏱ 2 min read
Water damage is the most frequent loss in apartment buildings. Acting quickly limits the loss and makes the claim straightforward.
First 30 minutes
- Close the main water valve; switching off electricity is also safer.
- Do not unplug wet appliances before cutting the power.
- Inform neighbours immediately if their flats may be affected.
Collecting evidence
Photograph and film everything before cleaning: the source, the spread and the damaged items. By the time a loss adjuster arrives the scene may be cleaned; images fill that gap.
Notifying the insurer
Call the claims line or your agency. Internal water damage is standard in most home policies. If the source is a neighbour’s flat, their third-party liability cover applies.
Drying and repair
If moisture remains in walls or floors, mould follows. Repainting or relaying flooring without proper drying produces new damage within months — make sure drying is itemised in the adjuster’s report.
If the source is a shared area
Leaks from risers, main columns or the roof are the management’s responsibility, and the site policy applies. A management decision and a technical report are usually required.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for water coming from my neighbour’s flat?
The third-party liability cover of the flat where the leak originated. Without that cover, liability is personal.
What should I do before cleaning up?
Take photographs and video. The adjuster may arrive after the scene is cleaned; images are your evidence.
Related pages
Insurance advice in Maslak and the surrounding area
“Water Damage at Home: What to Do in the First 24 Hours” is one of the questions we are asked most often by clients in Maslak 1453, Vadistanbul and Ayazağa. In the newer complexes around Maslak 1453, Vadistanbul and Seyrantepe we check the gap between the DASK ceiling and the real rebuild cost.
Our office is based in Maslak, Istanbul. We meet clients within a short drive — Maslak 1453, Vadistanbul and Ayazağa — or handle everything by phone, e-mail and WhatsApp, in Turkish and English. If you are searching on your phone for an insurance agency nearby, you can simply call +90 540 384 21 41 or see the related service page.
We compare policies from several insurers and explain the differences before you buy. Contact us or call +90 540 384 21 41.
