When water affects an apartment building or another multi-unit property, first protect people. If water is still flowing, call Pacific Restoration at (360) 327-8778; we’ll handle getting a plumber involved to stop the source before mitigation and drying begin. Pacific Restoration does not perform plumbing repair. Record which areas are affected; you do not need to diagnose hidden damage before asking for help. A clear unit-and-room list gives the response team a useful starting point.
1. Check safety before entering affected areas
Keep residents, staff, and visitors away from standing water near electrical equipment, damaged ceilings, or other unsafe conditions. Do not enter a flooded area to inspect another unit or retrieve belongings. The CDC advises people to stay out of floodwater because it may contain electrical hazards, contaminants, and debris.
If there is an immediate danger, call 911. Follow the property’s existing safety and communication procedures; this checklist does not replace them.
2. If water is still flowing, contact Pacific Restoration
If water is still flowing, call Pacific Restoration at (360) 327-8778. We’ll handle getting a plumber involved to stop the source before mitigation and drying begin. Pacific Restoration does not perform plumbing repair. Shut off a valve only if it is safe to reach. After the source is controlled, we can begin water mitigation and Advanced Structural Drying; see the water-mitigation page.
3. Make a simple affected-area map
Record the property address, the units and rooms reported as affected, the floor or level, visible materials involved, whether water remains active, and the time the issue was first reported. If known, note when the source was controlled. Keep this factual; do not label concealed areas “dry” or “undamaged” based only on appearance.
Use the property’s normal access and resident-communication process. Do not enter a unit or ask someone else to enter an unsafe area just to complete the map.
4. Document only what is safe to observe
Take wide and close photos from safe locations if possible, and note the time and location for each. Preserve any reports already received from residents or maintenance staff. Do not lift heavy items, pull up flooring, or open walls to look for moisture unless the appropriate professional has assessed the area.
EPA identifies moisture control as central to mold control and says that drying wet or damp materials within 24–48 hours prevents mold growth in most cases. Treat this as general prevention guidance—not a guaranteed cutoff, a promise about a specific building, or a reason to enter an unsafe space. See the EPA moisture and mold guidance. For a separate moisture or suspected-growth concern, see mold remediation.
5. Give the mitigation team a clear handoff
After source control, share the unit-and-room map, timing, visible conditions, and any safe photos. Pacific Restoration provides water extraction, Advanced Structural Drying, moisture documentation, and restoration-path coordination across all of Clark County and all of Cowlitz County, Washington. Its 24/7 calls and dispatch apply to water mitigation and Advanced Structural Drying. The water-mitigation page and Cowlitz County service page explain the current scope and Washington-only footprint.
Keep the mitigation record with the property’s incident file. Ask which areas were assessed, what work was performed, and how drying progress will be documented. Coverage, deductibles, repair decisions, and payment depend on the policy and carrier—not on a mitigation article or a moisture reading by itself. The water-mitigation page describes that boundary.
Pacific Restoration serves all of Clark County and all of Cowlitz County, Washington. In Cowlitz County, the site names Longview, Kelso, Woodland, Castle Rock, and Kalama. It does not market or dispatch to Oregon. See the Cowlitz County coverage page. For water mitigation after source control, call (360) 327-8778.