Water damage is one of the biggest problems homes face. From flooding because of rain to damaged plumbing, water can get into your home from anywhere and cause problems. And when 98% of basements will experience some form of water damage, the chances are good that it will happen to you.
Managing basement flooding right is critical to avoid additional damage to your home. Follow the guide below to handle cleanup and get the help you need to handle water damage.
Turn Off the Power and Water
The first step to dealing with a flooded basement is ensuring no severe problems occur. If you have flooding in your walls, it risks damaging your electric systems. This can lead to fires if left unchecked.
Turn off your electricity and water to prevent further damage. If you have electrical problems, no power will flow to cause a fire hazard, and you’ll have less flooding because of water leaks.
Remove Your Belongings
The next step in dealing with flooded areas is to remove your belongings from the area. This primarily means removing the things on the floor and putting them elsewhere.
The longer those things sit in the water, the greater the chance of water damage. Removing them allows you to minimize the damage and repair your things.
Remove the Water
Once you protect your stuff, your next step is to remove any standing water. You can rent a ShopVac or another device to remove it from the ground. If you have carpet, you’ll also need to remove as much water from the carpet as possible.
If the flooding is widespread enough, hiring a water damage company makes sense. See if there are any 24 hour flood services to call for help.
Dry Things Out
Although you can remove much of the standing water, getting things completely dry is another challenge. Things will remain wet for a while after cleaning and increase humidity at the same time.
This is a recipe for mold growth. Unless you dry things out with fans and other methods, you may have mold and flooding damage. Dry out the areas impacted in your basement as quickly as possible to avoid this problem.
Take Preventative Measures
Although there may not have been much you could do about your current flood, there are options available that can help prevent future ones. It pays to take the chance to handle those tasks now.
Get a sump pump and water level sensors, repair foundation cracks, fix your gutters, and do other maintenance tasks. The more you can do to prevent flooding, the safer your basement will remain.
Take Basement Flooding Seriously
You’re facing a challenging situation when you have basement flooding. You have to get the water out of the basement to prevent mold growth and make sure you protect your belongings on the floor. If you don’t do things the right way, you risk even more damage.
That’s why learning how to handle a flooded basement is important. When you do, you’re better prepared to handle the situation and take the correct actions to minimize the damage.
Do you want to learn more about home repair and home care? Learn more home maintenance tips on the blog.
