What To Do When Your Basement Floods Or Has Water Damage?
Do you live in an area with a flooding risk? A flooded basement can give even the most stoic homeowner a sense of helplessness and panic. Use these tips and take action when your basement floods.
Unexpected issues in your home aren’t enjoyable, but they are common. A flooded basement can give even the most stoic homeowner a sense of helplessness and panic. If you have a basement flood, try not to over-analyze the situation. It may not be as bad as you think. According to the experts at ServiceMaster Restore, that provides 24/7/365 response to flood situations in your home, here are some things you can do if your basement floods.
• Before you do anything, make sure to shut off any power around the area, including electricity and gas. Never enter a flooded basement area while the power is on. If you aren’t sure how to shut these areas off, call a qualified electrician before entering the room and beginning to work.
• Unless the water is caused by heavy rain, take action as soon as you notice flooding. If rain or stormwater is the cause of the flood, wait until it’s passed before proceeding with any work.
• Regardless of the water source before you enter your basement, you should always wear protective clothing such as gloves and boots/wellies. You may also choose to wear a protective mask and hip or chest waders may also be useful if they are available. Take care when walking and moving around the flooded area since it will likely offer itself as a slipping hazard and can hide heavy objects which may cause you to trip on the hidden basement flooring.
• Determine the source of the water. If a burst pipe is the cause of the flood, shut off water to the basement and contact us
• If your basement has any type of drainage systems, check to make sure it didn’t become blocked during the flood. Keeping the drain open and functioning will help release the water.
• Start removing water from the basement. Depending on the amount of water the basement contains, you can use a sump pump, a pool pump, a wet/dry vacuum or a mop and bucket. Sump pumps are located in the lowest part of a basement and work by sending water away from the home after flooding. Without a sump pump, water can come up through the ground and enter the home causing flooding in not only the basement but other parts of the house as well. After the majority of the water has been removed, soak up the remaining water with a cloth, rags or sponges. Don’t be shy about asking friends and family for help, the more people assisting could help reduce the damage it has caused.
• Move damaged items and wet items out of the flood-damaged basement to dry in a well-ventilated area. If weather permits, try to place the items in a sunny area to assist with the drying. We do not recommend drying the items inside the basement, which is already damp. A good rule of thumb is to give non-electrical items about 48 hours to thoroughly dry. If they remain wet, they may need to be discarded in order to avoid mould and mildew. If electrical goods have been affected by the flood please contact us for further advice. The best advice is to inspect the non-electrical items carefully after the 48-hour period and decide the best course of action, you may also want to contact your home insurance company to see if any items are covered. Don’t try to save wet cardboard boxes, since they can be especially susceptible to bacterial growth. Salvage the contents of the boxes if you can, and discard the cardboard containers to be safe.
• Don’t touch electrical items like televisions, stereos or lamps, even with the electricity disconnected. It’s best to let electrical items dry in place, and contact Rainbow Restoration Tilbury to determine the amount of damage.
• Rip up carpeting and get it out of the basement as soon as possible. Carpeting can prevent the floor underneath from drying if it’s not removed quickly. Although it can be difficult to adequately dry out these materials, sometimes wet carpet can be saved. Consult a restoration specialist or a carpet cleaning contractor for recommendations. If the carpet isn’t dried properly, it can also harbour mould and mildew.
• Give the basement at least several days of drying time. Open any windows and doors to get as much ventilation as possible, and place fans around the room for better air circulation and to speed drying time. Here at Rainbow Restoration Tilbury, we have dehumidifiers which can speed up the process considerably.
• Wash down floors and walls to remove any dirt left behind by the water. Remove any wet or damaged drywall and insulation to prevent the spreading of mould within the flooded rooms.
• When the floor and walls are dry, use an anti-mildew spray to discourage mould and mildew from developing. If you have any doubts please do not hesitate to contact us.
• If you have flood insurance, call your home insurance company and report the flood. Confirm your coverage limits, deductible amount, claim procedures and if you require a restoration company, Rainbow Restoration Tilbury is here to support you every step of the way.