What To Do If Your Basement Floods?
There are many reasons that you could have a flooded basement. Rainwater, sewer backup, or your sump pump stops work. Whatever the reason, finding water in your basement can be alarming. However, it is vital to know what to do next so you can prevent things from getting worse.
Let’s consider the things you need to do when your basement floods.
9 steps to take if you have a flooded basement
Managing the mess can keep things from getting worse. Here are the steps you should take if you find your basement is flooding.
1. Turn off the power
It’s vital to turn off any electricity or gas in the basement for your safety and that of anyone who enters the space. Call an electrician if you’re not sure how to turn off the power safely. Never enter a flooded basement without first having the power turned off.
2. Turn off the water
If you’ve just walked into your flooded basement, you’ll need to think fast. Try and find the source of the water flow and get it turned off. This will likely involve turning off the water in your home. While it may be inconvenient, it’s crucial to prevent the flooding from increasing.
3. Call a flood restoration professional
Cleaning up a flooded basement is not something you want to do on your own. Contact a flood restoration professional to come out and help. These professionals have the expertise and equipment needed to get your basement back to normal.
4. Contact your insurance company
Although you may want to clean up the mess in your basement, you should actually contact your insurance company. Water damage can cause bigger problems in your home, such as mold growth. You’ll want to call in a professional to get things cleaned correctly. And your insurance company may have some suggestions on who to contact.
5. Drain the water
It’s not a good idea to let the water sit in your basement for any length of time. Try to find a way to drain the water from the space. Check your floor drain and ensure it isn’t flooded. The drain should be open so the water can drain out. Your flooding restoration professional may also use a sump pump to get the water out of your basement. Once most of the water has been drained, we’ll use a wet/dry vacuum or mop the water up.
6. Clear out damaged items
Remove all the items from your basement and find a suitable place for them to dry. This is something that you might be able to do before your restoration professional arrives. It could take two or three days for items to dry thoroughly. However, if your things were being stored in cardboard boxes, it’s best to remove your items and toss the boxes as they can mold.
7. Throw out damaged items
Depending on the material of your items, you’ll need to toss some of your belongings out. Furniture, clothing, etc., should be discarded. Unfortunately, things like these cannot be cleaned well enough to be safe to have in your home.
8. Remove basement flooring if necessary
To prevent mold or mildew from growing following a basement flood, you should remove carpeting quickly. Your basement floor cannot get fully dry if your carpet stays in place. Moreover, you may need to toss your carpeting and get new flooring materials.
9. Dry out the basement
Once all of your items have been removed, and carpets ripped out, your basement needs to be dried out. Create good ventilation by keeping doors and windows open. It’s also helpful to use fans to help dry your basement after a flood. You can also consider using a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. Your flood restoration professionals will have this equipment on hand.
How to prevent future flooding
After things have gotten back to normal for you and your family, you’ll want to take some steps to avoid future flooding of your basement. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your home:
Get the right insurance coverage
Not all home insurance policies cover flooding damage, but it is something that you can ask your insurance company about. It might be worth the extra money to have peace of mind.
Check your floor drain regularly
Pour some water down your floor drain every once in a while to see if it is still working. If you notice that it is not draining correctly, contact a plumber to check it out. There may be a clog or blockage that needs to be removed. Checking your floor drain regularly can help you avoid another flooded basement.
Use waterproof flooring
Consider installing new flooring in your basement that can stand up against water and flooding better than a carpet. You can ask a flooring specialist what type of flooring works best in basements.
Protect your valuables
Another thing to consider is how to protect the valuables you’re storing in your basement. You can invest in watertight containers or move the most important items to another room in your home.
Ensure your sump pump is working
Your sump pump is one of the best tools you have to avoid basement flooding. It’s vital to inspect it every few months to ensure that it is still working. But some sump pumps rely on electricity to operate. That means you’ll need to install a backup pump that uses batteries. And be sure the change the batteries regularly to prevent flooding.
A flooded basement is a headache you don’t want to deal with very often. Once your basement has been returned to new, talk to your flooding restoration professional about what you can do to prevent your basement from flooding again.
Why choose FIRESTONE Restoration?
When it comes to flooding restoration, you will want to work with a professional you can trust.
Here at FIRESTONE Restoration, we understand how scary it can be when you have a flooded basement. That’s why we use the most up-to-date methods and equipment to help get your home back into shape.
When you have a flooded basement, contact FIRESTONE Restoration and let us help.