One of the last things any homeowner wants to discover is a flooded basement. A flooded basement does not only mean hours of cleaning are ahead of you. A flooded basement is a sign of a water leak or plumbing issue of some sort.
If proper restoration isn’t conducted, then mold and mildew can quickly grow. For these reasons, it’s important to know exactly what to do after discovering water in a basement so you can act fast. We know just have frustrating and frightening it can be to find severe water damage in your basement.
In the guide below, you’ll find several helpful tips on what to do after discovering your basement is flooding. Continue reading to learn more!
Put Safety First
Before moving forward in any manner, you need to think about your and everyone else’s safety. If there are any electrical sockets in the basement, then you can be at risk of electrical shock if you enter. It’s also important to note that some basement floods are caused by a sewage backup.
If you notice a foul odor, then you want to be sure to stay out of the possibly contaminated water. If you must go into the basement, then stay on the safe and always wear protective boots, gloves, and a mask. If the water level is higher than your boots level, then be sure to wear hip or chest water waders.
While walking through a flooded basement, always walk with caution. Floors can be slippery, and you want to avoid any falls or accidents.
Shut Off the Power
Another important part of putting safety first is shutting the power supply off. This is something you want to do before entering the basement. If you can safely turn the power off, then do so on your own.
However, if the circuit breaker is located in the basement where the flooding is, then you need to contact your electrician or your utility company to shut off the power for you. If you have a natural gas or propane line, then these should be cut off as well. Always speak to the professionals about how to safely shut all gas and power supplies off when dealing with a basement flood.
You never want to enter a flooded basement before doing so.
Contact Your Insurance
The next step is to contact your insurance company. Even if you’re not sure if you have flood insurance, it’s beneficial to contact them and ask about your coverage. If floods are covered with your insurance, then you’ll need to file a claim.
Make sure to speak with your insurance representative about your coverage limits, the claim procedures, and the deductible amount. This gives you a good idea about what to expect throughout the entire process.
Determine the Water Source
A flooded basement won’t happen for any simple reason. There’s a cause for the flood, and it’s important you find out what that cause is. Now is the time to determine the water source.
Did a burst pipe cause the flood? If the flood was caused by any type of plumbing issue, then you need to shut off the water supply as well. Was the flood caused by a leak during a heavy rainstorm?
If so, then you’ll want to wait until the storm has passed before assessing the damage and moving forward with repairs. If you’re not sure what caused the flood, then you’ll want to contact a professional water and storm damage restoration team. They’ll be able to help assess the flood and water damage before restoring your basement.
Remove the Water
Once you’ve learned what the cause of the flood was and have taken all important safety measures, you can then remove the water from the basement. The level of water damage will determine how you handle this next step. If the damage is minimal, then you can use a mop and bucket to clean it up.
If the damage is more severe, then you can consider using a sump pump to pump the water out. It’s also ideal to check the floor drain in the basement. If this drain is clogged, then it could delay the water removal process.
Make sure the drain is working properly for easier water removal. Once the majority of the water is removed, you can use rags and cloths to dry the rest of the water. If the basement is flooded to an extreme, then you’ll want to have a professional restoration company come in and remove the water for you and assist with cleanup and repair.
Pull Up Carpeting and Upholstered Furniture
Unfortunately, if your basement had any carpeting or upholstered furniture in it, then you’ll most likely need to remove them and toss them out. Extensive water damage can ruin both carpets and upholstery. Remove all other damaged items from the basement as well.
You want to place these items in an area outside of the basement to dry. Once the items dry fully, you can then bring them back into the repaired basement. Make sure to speak with one of our professionals about any electrical items that may have been affected and if they’re safe to use after drying.
Do You Need Restoration For Your Flooded Basement?
Are you in need of professional restoration for your flooded basement? Discovering flooding in a basement is one of the last things you want to do, but when it happens, you should be prepared. Knowing the exact steps to take after a basement flood is the first step to ensuring you get your basement restored quickly.
The next step is contacting 1d Remedy. At 1d Remedy, we’re available 24/7 to help with all your restoration needs. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
