Cleanup, drying & what follows

Condo & Townhome Water Damage in Bothell, WA

In a shared building, one failed supply line can damage three units. Drying fast and documenting clearly makes the insurance side much easier.

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Condo and townhome water damage in Bothell has become much more common as the city has grown. Canyon Park, North Creek, the Downtown Bothell redevelopment and the corridors along Bothell-Everett Highway and Beardslee Boulevard have added thousands of condos, apartments and attached townhomes. In those buildings, water does not respect unit lines: a toilet supply line upstairs drains into the ceiling below, and a leak in a shared wall wets both sides. Through our referral line (opening soon), you can be connected with an independent local restoration provider experienced with multi-unit losses.

Common multi-unit water sources

Toilet, sink and washing machine supply lines in the unit above
Water heaters in closets that share walls with neighbors
Fire sprinkler heads damaged or frozen in unheated areas
Shower pans and tub surrounds leaking into the unit below
Roof, deck and siding leaks affecting top-floor or end units
Shared drain stacks that back up into lower units

Act first, sort out responsibility second

The biggest mistake in condo losses is waiting while owners, the HOA and insurers decide who is responsible. Water keeps spreading and mold can start within a couple of days. Stop the water, notify the neighbor and the property manager, report to your own insurer and get drying started. Your HO-6 policy and the HOA's master policy can sort out who pays afterward, and clear documentation from day one makes that easier.

What the restoration provider does

Traces the source, which may mean access to the unit above or a common area.
Maps moisture in your unit and, with permission, adjoining units.
Extracts water and removes what cannot be dried, keeping a detailed record of what was removed and why.
Dries walls, ceilings and floors, often coordinating equipment placement across units.
Provides moisture logs and photos for every insurer involved.

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Know your documents

Your association's declaration and bylaws define the unit boundaries — whether drywall, cabinets and flooring belong to you or the building — and the master policy deductible. Many Washington HOAs carry high deductibles and pass them to the owner whose unit the water came from. Check that your HO-6 policy includes loss assessment coverage. Our Washington insurance claims guide covers this in more detail.

When you are ready, email info@bothellwaterdamagewa.com while our phone line is being set up.

Condo and townhome questions

Water is coming from the unit above. What do I do?

Contact the neighbor and your HOA or property manager right away so the water can be shut off at the source. Photograph the damage, move belongings, and report it to your own insurer (an HO-6 policy). Then book an inspection so drying can start; waiting while parties sort out responsibility lets damage spread.

Who pays for water damage in a Washington condo?

It depends on your association's declaration and the Washington Condominium Act or older Horizontal Property Regimes Act. Typically the HOA's master policy covers common elements and original building structure, while the owner's HO-6 policy covers interior finishes, improvements and personal property, and often the master policy deductible.

Does the HOA choose the restoration company?

Sometimes. Many associations have a preferred vendor for common areas and the building structure. For your unit's interior, you can usually choose. Coordinate with the property manager so one company does not dry half a wall while another handles the rest.

Book an on-site water damage inspection

Burst pipe, wet crawl space or a leak you just found — a local provider can measure the moisture, explain the drying plan and start the work.

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