This page is meant to assist homeowners and/or renters of properties located in Athens, Greece in knowing how to address and stop a problem that could become one very quickly. Below are listed some of the more common reasons for flooding in Athens:

  • Burst internal pipes
  • Failed washing machine or dishwasher connections
  • Blocked balcony or terrace drains after heavy rains
  • Roof membrane failure
  • Leaks from upstairs neighbors
  • Building piping failures

Most people are familiar with flood damage caused by a natural disaster like an earthquake, hurricane or storm. However, home flooding caused by a burst internal pipe or faulty washing machine connection is often not so obvious. Such leaks are often hidden behind walls, beneath floors and even within electrics.

In multi-unit dwellings like apartments water can flow downward thereby potentially affecting the floor below, often within hours and potentially giving the neighbor cause for liability.

The greatest challenge to immediate response however for overseas owners is the distance from their property.

Step 1: Immediate Emergency Response

Act in the first hour! Home Watch Athens will take action immediately once you have called us.

What We Do First

When you call Home Watch Athens:

  • We will have someone visit your property within a short notice to assess the extent of the flood damage.
  • We try to find out what caused the flooding as well as to estimate the extent of the damage.
  • We turn off the water supply to prevent further damage.
  • We take photographs and videos of the damage.
  • We search for signs of structural problems, electrical malfunctions or mold growth.

The homeowner does not have to search for a Plumber, to call a repair service or to send a friend to start the repairs.

We act as the homeowner’s eyes and ears. They do not have to beg friends, relations or acquaintances to check on their property while they are away from their home.

We serve as their eyes and ears on the ground.

Step 2: Stop the Source

Once the immediate flow of water has been stopped, we need to find the underlying cause of the flooding.

Stopping the source of the flooding could involve:

  • Shutting down the main water supply
  • Disconnecting a single pipe
  • Disabling a single appliance
  • Cleaning out clogged balcony drains
  • Checking the roof or patio

Unless a homeowner hires someone to inspect the damage to their home, they could end up misconstruing the problem causing the additional damage.

A single pipe failure, if not repaired properly, can start leaking again weeks from now.

Stop the source of flooding & Identify the root cause of damage.

Step 3: Document All Damages For Insurance Purposes

After a flood has occurred, it is very important to document the damage in order to deal with your insurance company.

Your insurance company requires:

  • Photos of the damage
  • Videos showing the damage
  • Documentation showing when the problem was detected
  • A list of the steps you have taken to solve the problem with reference to copies of receipts for any materials or services you have paid for.

We provide:

  • Photos dated the day they were taken
  • Videos showing the condition of the damaged areas
  • Detailed summaries of the damage
  • Receipts for all repairs
  • Moisture readings (where applicable)

All evidence of a natural disaster must be photographed before you leave Greece. All damage must be documented with dates to show that you have looked after your property and were quick to fix any problems.

A lack of proper documentation of damage could cause problems with an insurance dispute.

Step 4: Inform the Insurance Company of the Flooding

The process of making a claim for flooding can be different from other types of disasters and may even involve your personal insurance and the shared building insurance of the building in Greece.

We can assist with:

  • Understanding your policy
  • Making the claim correctly
  • Communicating with the insurance adjuster
  • Accompanying the insurance adjuster during the on-site inspection
  • Ensuring that all of the damage is recorded

The paperwork involved in claiming against the policy and the communication with the claims adjuster can often appear to be a difficult task to complete for overseas property owners, with reference to language used within the policy plus a multitude of documentation to complete and return.

We help you through the whole process and aim to make it as easy and painless as possible.

Step 5: Determine Whether Secondary Damage Has Occurred

Even though the water has dried up and the floor appears to be dry secondary damage can occur (even days, weeks, or months later).

Some examples of secondary damage include:

  • Growth of mold
  • Warping of floors
  • Damage to cabinets
  • Electrical systems compromised
  • Damage to ceilings in units below
  • Damage to insulation

Proper drying of the property out is crucial. In many cases dehumidifiers are left running for days to remove excess moisture in the air.

We work with top quality drying, cleaning and restoration contractors in order to begin stabilizing a damaged property first, followed by cosmetic repairs as soon as possible.

Step 6: Reduce the Tension Between You and Your Neighbor(s)

If the flooding is happening below your unit, it will likely create conflict in a very short period of time.

Communication with neighbors and/or building management is essential immediately.

We will communicate with:

  • Building Management
  • Neighbors Affected
  • Representatives for Shared Building Insurance Coverage

In addition to liaising with those involved, by dealing with the issue swiftly before the payment from your shared building insurance coverage is finalized, you can avoid a lot of hassle and expensive litigation with your neighbors.

We will keep you updated on the issue and handle the matter in the most professional way possible.

What Does Home Watch Athens Offer Beyond Emergency Response?

Emergency response is only the beginning.

Ongoing Insurance Oversight

All aspects of your insurance policy will be monitored with respect to renewal dates, and:

  • Your coverage is active
  • All inspections are documented
  • All compliance requirements are met

This helps to prevent the claim being rejected in future.

Overseeing Contractors

Repairing a flood damaged home can be expensive.

We will supervise:

  • Plumbers
  • Electricians
  • Restoration Teams
  • Flooring Specialists
  • Painters

Before the contractor completes the work and charges you for the services provided, Home Watch Athens will confirm whether the highest standards have been adopted for the tasks completed.

So you are protected from overcharging and low quality work.

Post-Flood Deep Cleaning

After a flood, there are usually:

  • Odors
  • Residue
  • Dust from repairs
  • Debris

Deep cleaning of your home after the flooding to return it to full working order.

Humidity and Mold Inspections

In coastal regions of Athens, properties that suffered from water exposure are at the risk of developing high humidity levels.

The inspections are performed on a regular basis and in due course they will reveal whether any mold has developed and thus needs to be removed before it becomes a more serious problem (mold remediation vs. prevention).

Prevention is always easier and less expensive than remediation.

If You Are Still Abroad: What Can You Do Right Now?

If you cannot physically be at the property:

  • Contact us immediately to arrange a visit from someone who can assess the property locally.
  • Notify your insurance company that an incident has occurred.
  • Notify the building management.
  • You must not sign any approval of repair estimates until we have seen the local personnel conducting the repairs.
  • Stop transferring large amounts of money until a proper assessment of the damage has been conducted.

Being abroad when a disaster strikes your property creates enormous pressure.

Moreover, rushing into things may lead to higher costs in the long run.

Reducing the Risk of Future Flood Incidents

Flood emergencies are usually reactionary in nature.

Structured oversight is proactive.

Ways to minimize the likelihood of another flood occurring at your overseas property:

  • Schedule regular property inspections
  • Clean out your balcony drain before heavy rainfall
  • Check the condition of your internal plumbing
  • Run your internal water systems occasionally to prevent stagnation
  • Monitor the humidity levels
  • Remove all debris from around your property

These property inspections are part of our regular property inspection schedule for foreign property owners.

The intention is to identify potential problems before they become a problem.

Emotional Stress Resulting From a Flood When You Own Property Overseas

A flood is more than just money, it causes stress too.

You might wonder:

  • Is the real extent of damage greater than what the repair guys tell me?
  • Are the repairs being performed correctly?
  • Will my insurance company cover the expenses?
  • How will I be financially impacted in the long-run?

Having a trusted local presence on site brings huge relief from uncertainty and worry.

Rather than you having to deal with a disaster from overseas with insufficient information, you will receive timely updates on the progress of the repair and confirm when actions have been taken.

Why Timing is Everything in Reducing Cost

A slow drip leak which continues unchecked for two weeks could lead to:

  • Damaging flooring
  • Damaging structural materials
  • Triggers for mold remediation
  • Causing neighbor liability

On the other hand, the same leak, dealt with within hours, may only require the replacement of a single pipe and a minimal amount of drying out.

The cost of repairs will depend on how long the leak has been leaking before it is found and dealt with.

For overseas property owners, emergency preparedness is not an option.

It is simply part of being a responsible owner.

Restoring Comfort After Repairs Have Been Completed

Home Watch Athens also restores your property after repairs have been completed to a safe and comfortable living environment.

This includes:

  • Deep cleaning
  • Ventilation tests
  • Testing of appliances
  • Verification of electrical systems
  • Final inspection report

Whether you are planning a trip to Athens and don’t want to come back to a construction site or simply want to go back to your home, we will make sure you return to a safe, clean and ready-to-use environment.

From Flooded Today to Safe Tomorrow

When your Athens home or apartment floods call someone who knows how to react to such a catastrophe quickly and efficiently.

Call Home Watch Athens first.

We will respond, document, coordinate, represent and restore your property.

After we handle the emergency and return control to you, we can structure the terms to enable the repairs to be completed and to prevent such damage from occurring in the future.

Owning property abroad does not have to create uncertainty.

You don’t have to let an unfortunate flood turn into a financial disaster.

Whether you need immediate help to deal with a flood or you just wish to set up a schedule of inspections in order to deal with any potential problems before they become crises, we are here for you 24/7.