What to Do if Your Basement Floods
With climate change on the rise and hurricane season well underway, we are smack dab in the middle of a time of year when weather can be wildly unpredictable and severe. Basements floods are an unfortunate and common reality because of these factors. A basement flood can be devastating to any family due to the repair costs, damage to personal property, and the loss of personal belongings. If your basement floods, the best thing that you can do is to first step away and take a deep breath rather than running right into it. A flooded basement can be dangerous and your life should be prioritized.
Practice Safety First
Making sure that your basement is safe should be the first step in dealing with flooding. This is because many do not think of the dangers of electric shock. If there’s an outlet or appliance that’s underwater and you step in the basement, you could be electrocuted. Before attempting to remove any goods or clean up the water, make sure you switch off the electricity in the flooded area if you can do so safely. Contact your utility company or an electrician if your circuit breaker is in the basement and you can’t get to it without going down there.
The status of the water’s contamination should be examined next. Contact a moisture management professional who can properly handle the pollution and keep out of the water if you notice any smells or believe flooding may be caused by the sewage system.
If that’s not the case, it’s still a good idea to protect yourself from any debris that might be in the water by cleaning in the basement while wearing gloves and a mask.
Removing Water and Drying the Basement
Once it’s been determined that the basement is safe, the next step is to dry out the basement as quickly as possible. If you have carpeting, it will probably need to be torn up and removed along with any sizable upholstered furniture since they are sometimes unsalvageable. Unfortunately, most items that come in contact with flood waters will need to be disposed of as flood water is not sanitary and can not be deemed safe. In order to quickly remove water from the air and surfaces, we advise finding a licensed water damage cleanup business that will employ high-end water vacuums, fans, and dehumidifiers. If the damage is minor, you can also purchase or rent these to clean up on your own.
Preventing Future Flood Damage
Once the flooding has been taken care of, it’s time to figure out what caused it to happen in the first place. Did a severe storm cause flooding in your yard and flow into the basement? Are there cracks in your home’s foundation? Is your current basement drainage system working as it should? These are all questions that a moisture management professional can easily answer for you.
The solution to your basement’s flooding depends on a number of factors. Perhaps a French drain or sump pump will be the fix. A basement French drain collects water from both the ground and water entering the basement from the foundation. Sump pumps collect water from the ground or surface and are then diverted outside your basement.
A sump pump, when installed in conjunction with a basement French drain system, collects the water from the French drain for disposal outside the basement environment.
Correct Basement Flooding with Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement
We offer the highest quality of defense against damp basements and crawlspaces, energy inefficiency, and problems common in homes with basements and crawlspaces. For over 20 years, we have helped our friends and neighbors achieve a healthier home environment, protecting families and their homes with our crawl space and basement services.
Each home is as unique as those who live in it. We offer a 22-point comprehensive evaluation service, complete with moisture readings and analysis, photographs, and a complete inspection report. Our highly-trained technicians then take the time to sit with you to tailor our drainage systems and waterproofing solutions to suit your goals and budget. Our systems are designed to increase home value, lower energy spending, and create a healthier home environment, affordably. To work within any budget, we offer various payment plans and financing.
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