How to Deal with Basement Flooding
Basement flooding can cause a lot of damage to your house and your belongings, especially if it catches you by surprise. If unattended for long enough, a flood in your basement can weaken the foundations of your home.
Hence, the team from First Response would like you to know what to do if your house experiences basement flooding.
Turn The Power Off
Maintaining safety during a basement flood is critical. As such, you should start by shutting down the electrical supply before attempting to enter the basement.
Any electrical outlets, devices, and appliances in the basement can create a severe hazard when drenched in water. This poses a serious risk to anyone who enters a flooded basement without the necessary protective equipment.
If you cannot access the panel to shut off the electricity, contact a licensed electrician to do so safely. Once the basement is safe from dangerous electric currents, you can proceed with flooding cleanup.
Pump The Water Out
The water in your basement needs to be removed as soon as possible. Leaving it there can cause structural damage and facilitate the growth of mould. This creates a health hazard in addition to structural and property damage.
If there is a lot of water in your basement, you will need a pump to help drain most of the water. If you have a sump pump in working condition, that can help you remove water from your basement. However, if the water depth in your basement exceeds 2 feet, you should engage the services of a professional to drain your basement.
Take Out Wet Items
After the basement is free of standing water, you should remove all items that became wet during the flood. This will allow you to dry the basement more effectively as those items dry out in the open weather.
Items like cushions and carpets need to be taken out immediately as water can cause them irreparable damage in very little time. Items with wood and cardboard, like furniture and boxes, should also be moved quickly.
Identify and catalogue all the items that were damaged by the flood. If important documents were damaged by the flood, it is best to put them in the freezer to mitigate any damage before drying them out.
Removing wet items from the basement will help prevent the growth of mould in the basement and on your belongings.
Properly Dry Out The Basement
To fully ensure that mould cannot grow in a damp corner of your basement, you need to make it as dry as possible.
The drying process will require specialized fans and blowers to fully dry the basement. A dehumidifier is also needed to remove excess moisture that seeped into the flooring and the walls. This equipment can be rented from restoration firms or hardware stores.
As you dry out the basement, you should also watch out for leaks and cracks in the basement. Moisture can seep into those openings and contribute to the growth of mould. When detected, you should seal the cracks up to protect the basement.
Diagnose the Cause of The Flood
After ensuring that the basement is dry you should determine how the basement flooding occurred and take steps to solve the problem. This should prevent or, at the very least, mitigate any further floods.
You should consult a professional to help diagnose the problem and advise you on what to do to better protect your property.
First Response – Ontario’s Certified Heavy Duty Cleaning Authority
Basement flooding can cause more than just an inconvenience. If left unattended for too long, the damage to your property will be irreparable. With these helpful tips, you can take action quickly and blunt the effects of the flood.
If the task ahead of you is too daunting, please contact us for help in your flooding restoration. First Response is the premier cleaning services provider in Ontario. Our services include disaster restoration and mould removal. Our team is highly experienced and dedicated to helping you with flooding cleanup to restore your basement to its dry state.