My Basement Is Flooding – What Do I Do And Who Do I Call?
By 911 Water Damage Experts
Even if you’re reasonably adept at taking care of most house-related problems as they arise, basement flooding can be a whole different ball game. If you have never had to deal with it before, then you, of course, may not know what to do.
Fortunately, with the right experts on board and a bit of knowledge, you can be an expert when such a problem happens to you. If your basement is flooding, read on to learn what to do and who to call.
Turn Off The Power
Water and electricity don’t mix.
Before you step foot in the basement, make sure the power is turned off. Otherwise, if any electrical sockets are affected by water, you may receive a shock as soon as you touch that water.
If your power board is located in the basement, ring your utility company to arrange for them to turn it off for you.
Take Action Immediately
If a broken pipe, broken appliance, or failed sump pump is the cause of your basement flooding, then take care of the problem as soon as it happens.
The sooner you can stop the flow of water, the more minor the damage and costs you’ll have to combat.
If rain, flooding, and storms are to blame, you may need to wait until these threats have passed before you take action.
Wear Safety Equipment
Without knowing the water source or whether it’s clean or not, it’s essential to wear safety equipment. This includes gloves, boots, and a protective mask.
You may even like to wear a pair of waders if you have any handy. Take care while walking around to avoid any obstacles you may not see under the water.
Identify The Cause Of The Water
Act fast to determine the cause of the water – be it a broken pipe or a damaged appliance.
Turn off the water supply to the basement to stop the water flow in its tracks. If your basement has a floor drain, make sure it’s running freely and keep it open to ensure the water can drain.
Start Removing Water
And now the fun begins.
What you use to remove water from your basement can depend on how deep it is. For example, a few towels may work for puddles but will not prove suitable for a few inches of standing water.
Use a pump of some kind – be it a swimming pool pump or sump pump, to send water from the basement to your property. You can also use a wet/dry vacuum, mop, and bucket.
Move Out Your Possessions
Perhaps one of the most labor-intensive steps of fixing a flooded basement is emptying it of all your possessions. As tiring and time-consuming as it might be, it’s a necessary step.
Removing every wet item can put you in the best position to avoid mold and mildew.
Dry out things that can be saved for at least 48 hours. Some items may be able to be saved by a restoration company.
Empty cardboard boxes to save as many possessions as possible, but throw the boxes away. After a couple of days of drying, re-evaluate if anything further needs to be thrown away to prevent bacterial growth.
Leave all electronics in place to dry out, even if the power is off. An electrician can determine whether the items are safe, can be saved, or need to be thrown out.
Dry The Basement
With standing water removed and your possessions moved out of the basement, it’s now time to dry out the basement.
Open all windows and doors leading to this space and add fans to provide additional air circulation. If you hire a water restoration company, they have commercial equipment like dehumidifiers to speed up the process.
Wash The Basement
Cleaning the basement can ensure that you eliminate any dirt, debris, mold, and mildew to stop growth in its tracks.
Wash down the floors and walls, remove damaged or wet building materials like insulation and drywall, and spray an anti-mildew spray.
Who To Call When The Basement Floods?
If you have never had a flood in your basement before, then you’re unlikely to have an address book of numbers ready to go for that very issue.
We’ve included some experts below who may be able to help you during this trying time.
Water Damage Restoration Company
Certified, professional water damage restoration companies can assist with all parts of a flooded basement, such as:
-Dealing with the appropriate insurance precaution
-Carrying out minor plumbing repairs and organizing for other plumbers to visit
-Extracting floodwater
-Taking care of the drying process
-Sanitizing and deodorizing basements after storm flooding or sewage backup
-Removing, restoring, and disposing of damaged items
-Reconstructing damaged parts of the basement
-Carrying out mold removal and remediation
Licensed Electrician
An electrician is perhaps one of the first people you will call when your basement floods, particularly if you need them to turn off your electricity so you can safely access the basement.
It can also be worth having an electrician inspect your home if it has encountered hazardous problems, such as:
-Appliances affected by flooding
-Water-damaged wiring
-Electrical panel damage
-Water in or near electrical sockets
-Damaged electrical lines
Basement Flooding Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful
As unexpected and unwanted as basement flooding is, it doesn’t have to be the most stressful situation you’ll ever encounter. As long as you consider this information above and have the right experts to help, your basement can be looking as good as new in no time.
If you have any questions about basement floods or ever need help with basement water damage feel free to call 1-833-WE-DRY-IT anytime all the time 24/7/365 we’re there when you need us!
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