What To Do After Flooding In Your Basement

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding can occur at the least expected times and be a huge headache to deal with, especially if you don’t know where to turn or who to call after it happens. Basements are common culprits of flooding due to their low-level, underground nature, which means water ends up accumulating there first. While your basement is in the process of flooding or immediately after the damage is done, here’s what you should do.

1. Don’t enter the flooded basement.

Although you may be tempted to start bailing out buckets of water, it’s safest to avoid the water and refrain from entering your basement. Instead, call your local professional restoration company and an electrician to come out and assess the aftermath. Since electricity flows through water, it poses a significant threat to you and your family members if the electricity isn’t’ properly dealt with beforehand. Turn off your circuit breaker only if your circuit breaker is located on the ground level or upper level of your home outside of the basement.

2. Remove excess water if it’s under two feet.

Once the electricity is turned off, it may be safe to enter your flooded basement and start bailing out water. The longer the water sits in your basement, the more damage it causes. Check out your sump pump and replace it to help remove the water, because there’s something obviously wrong with our sump pump if your basement is flooding in the first place. Using buckets, a mop, and towels can help soak up the water if the flooding isn’t that extensive.

3. Air out damp objects.

Anything damp in your flooded basement is subject to mold growth if it’s left unattended, so it’s essential that you remove any damp objects from your basement to air out to dry. Be sure to take some pictures and file an insurance claim as soon as you can after the flooding and damage are apparent. If your basement is finished, you should also rip out the wet carpet and padding underneath it. More times than not, your carpet will need to go in the trash.

4. Dry the flooded area.

Rent some fans and a shop vacuum to dry the area as quickly as possible to avoid mold growth and further destruction. You should also have a professional inspect the area to instigate any necessary repairs as well as prevent future growth. A dehumidifier may also be a smart investment to remove excess moisture from the air, which allows your basement to dry faster.

In the unfortunate event that you are faced with flooding in your basement, give SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville a call at (615) 242-9391. Our disaster restoration professionals are well-trained in water damage, storm damage, fire damage, and mold damage restoration services, and we’re available 24/7 to respond to any emergency situations.