Imagine waking up to find out that your basement took a hit from last night’s storm and is now flooded. Dealing with the aftermath of a flooded basement is never easy. It will leave anyone feeling helpless and in panic. If you have experienced a flooded basement recently, then keep on reading for these helpful tips to ensure that this unexpected issue will never happen again.
Turn off any power around the area
Do not rush into your flooded basement as it can be very dangerous. A flooded basement can pose an electrical hazard, especially if electrical appliances have come into contact with the water. Remember to put your safety first. Shut off all the power in the area or better yet, call a licensed electrician to help you look for the source of the power or the circuit breaker. They can also determine if it is already safe to enter your basement and start cleaning the aftermath of the flood.
Wear protection
Again, safety first before you deal with your flooded basement. Make sure to wear boots, gloves, and a protective mask for your protection. You can also wear chest and hip waders, especially if the water is high. Be careful when walking as the floor can be slippery.
Transfer items to a dry area
Once it is already safe to enter your basement, you can then start transferring your damp belongings to a dry area. You can’t fully remove any water from your basement if there are wet items left in it. However, if the flood water has been left for too long, it may be unsanitary to enter the place by yourself. You might like to contact highly skilled professionals to help you with the water removal process.
Dry the area
There’s no flooded basement that dries on its own. Locate the floor drain in your basement and see if it isn’t clogged from the flood. You can also use fans and blowers, or dehumidifiers to dry your basement faster. When most of the water has been removed, you can then use a mop or sponge to get rid of the remaining moisture. The key here is to have your basement dry as fast as possible to prevent molds from growing.
Contact your insurance company
Most homeowners have insurance that covers floods caused by natural calamity. If your home insurance covers a flood or if you have added it to your regular policy, then you might want to contact your insurance company to start your claim process. If there are important documents that got wet from the flood, put it quickly in the freezer to prevent it from being damaged further.
Clean and sanitize your basement
Once your basement is completely dry, the next thing you should do is to keep it clean and sanitized to make it usable again for you and your family. During this time, it is best to call a professional cleaning service to help get your basement in its tip top condition.
