What Should You Do Immediately After a Basement Flood?

A basement that gets flooded has the potential of becoming a huge issue really fast. Water standing in a basement can ruin your floorings, walls, furniture, electricity systems, insulation, and the structure of the house itself. In addition, water can cause mold and bacteria growth. Regardless of what causes your basement to get flooded whether it be rains, pipe breakage, sewage backup or faulty equipment, knowing how to react will allow you to prevent possible damages and protect your family from harm.

The first thing to do is to stay calm and follow a proper procedure. Getting into the basement without looking for dangers such as electrical, structural or sewage issues can be hazardous for you. Railway City Carpet Cleaning can offer you water extraction from your flooded basement.

What Causes Basement Flooding?

Several things could lead to flooding in a basement. For instance, heavy rains could overload the drainage system and make the water enter via basement windows, floor drains, or cracks on the foundation. The improper grading on the property could as well make the water flow toward the foundation.

Other causes of flooding in basements include plumbing problems. The bursting of pipes, water heater leakage, washing machine hose damage, and overflow of fixtures would result in a huge volume of water getting to the basement. Moreover, water contamination could arise from sewer backup and blockage of drains. There is also the possibility that the sump pump may fail to remove the rising water.

Identification of the source of the water is critical in deciding how to clean the water. Clean water from a pipe needs to be cleaned differently from sewage-contaminated water from a drain backup.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Basement Flood

1. Prioritize Your Safety

It is advisable not to go directly into the flooded basement because the water might have interacted with the electricity. Any trace of water in an electrical system can result in electrocution.

Switch off the electrical system safely once you are in a position to access the main switch without stepping in the floodwater. In cases where there is a possibility that the electrical system is located in the flooded area, it is wise to call an electrician or an emergency specialist.

2. Stop the Source of the Water

When the area becomes safe, you should try to stop any more water from flowing into the basement. When the water flow is due to burst pipes or water leaks from appliances, shut off the main water supply to the property. For rainwater flowing into the basement from a window or other opening, only attempt this if it is safe to do so.

In cases of sewage back-ups, groundwater flooding, or storm damage, get professional help and not attempt to deal with the source yourself. Otherwise, you will only be removing the water without addressing the cause.

3. Document the Damage

Photograph and video tape the flooded basement area prior to any cleaning or removal of furniture. Note the height of the flood water, damage to flooring, wet walls, damaged appliances, and personal possessions.

This information may be helpful during contact with your insurance company. Create a list of your damages and keep track of costs for services such as water removal and repair services.

4. Contact a Professional Water Extraction Company

The standing water needs to be cleaned out as soon as possible since the more time the

water is left sitting there, the higher the chances are that the water will soak through your drywall, carpet pad, wood framing, subfloor, and even the insulation.

Railway City Carpet Cleaning offers professional water extraction and drying services for all flood water. Professionals are also able to check the hidden moisture content and figure out which materials are salvageable and what materials need to be discarded.

5. Remove Wet Materials and Belongings

Once the standing water is removed, the wet materials must be moved into a dry area with adequate ventilation. Materials such as furniture, carpets, rugs, boxes, curtains and other items will still be retaining water despite the apparent dryness on the floors.

Carpeting and padding tend to soak up large quantities of water. There are cases where the carpeting can be saved through the process of water extraction performed by a professional. Sewage water and highly contaminated water will result in the disposal of the materials.

6. Dry and Dehumidify the Basement

It is not enough to clean up the standing water in order to restore the space. There could be water absorbed into the walls, floor, cracks, furniture, and other construction materials. Industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers are typically employed for evaporation and humidity reduction.

Ventilation is recommended in the basement when the weather conditions permit, although household fans should not be used if there was contamination by sewage since they would cause bacteria to circulate in the air. Special moisture meters could be used to test if the basement is dry.

7. Clean and Disinfect the Area

After ensuring that the basement has been dried, it will need to be cleaned and disinfected. Hard surfaces such as walls, floors, objects, etc. could harbor any amount of dirt, germs or other contaminants as a result of the flood.

The type of water will determine the mode of cleaning to use. Clean water caused by a leaky pipe could just involve regular cleaning, but sewage water will need protective gear and other processes.

How to Prevent Future Basement Flooding

Following the restoration process of your flooded basement, there are some measures that you can undertake to minimize future flooding. Examine the foundation for any cracks and ensure you repair them. Ensure that your gutters are cleaned regularly and that the downspouts channel water away from the house by at least a few feet. The ground around the home should slope away from the foundation of the house.

Check your sump pump often, preferably before the onset of the wet season. You may consider using a battery-operated backup for your sump pump in case the electricity goes off. Other areas that you need to check for leaks include plumbing pipes, water heaters, washing machine pipes, and basement drains.

Conclusion

The presence of water in your basement can result in costly damage. However, acting on electrical safety measures, preventing further flow of water, reporting the damages to your insurer, eliminating water-saturated building products, and beginning drying and disinfection services can be an effective way of safeguarding your property from further harm. Proper drying and disinfection is necessary because some moisture can remain in the building material, under carpets, or behind drywall despite the basement seeming to be bone dry.

Railway City Carpet Cleaning offers professional flood water extraction and drying service that can aid you in acting swiftly and avoid mold, unpleasant smell, and property damage. Post restoration, proper maintenance of the gutters, downspouts, sump pumps, plumbing lines, and proper drainage of the foundation can serve to ensure that you will not have further problems with water entering the basement again. If your basement is affected by a pipe or an appliance breakdown or excessive rainfall, give us a call at 519-854-6913.