What To Do When Your Basement Floods

Floods in these regions happen most often during the spring when snow melts and spring storms start. Basement flooding may also occur in dry weather, because of unexpected blockages to the sewer system around the property. All property owners must be aware of the following basement flooding restoration guidelines. 

Basement Flooding Restoration Tips

The very first things to do

  • If the property owner is unsure whether they can tackle the flood, a water damage restoration specialist has to be called straight away.
  • To avoid electrical wires that are underwater level, the home’s power must be turned off in the primary breaker switches.
  • If the flooding is a result of a burst water pipe in the home, the main water supply valve should be closed off.
  • Immediate contact with floodwater, which may contain dangerous contaminants, must be averted. If one has to move through floodwater, they should wear protective garments, like disposable overalls, eyewear, gloves, and a face mask.
  • The owner should contact the insurance provider, take photos, and document all things that were damaged or need to be replaced.
  • The cellar has to be entirely dried as fast as possible to avoid further damages to materials and construction, in addition to mold growth. Additionally, the basement has to be ventilated as much as possible and the windows should stay open when the outside humidity isn’t higher than the indoor humidity. The drying process can take around fourteen days.
  • When there are baseboards, they should be removed.

Ways to clean the basement

  • The items have to be rescued quickly by removing them out of floodwater to avoid mold growth, warping, and rot. Items that suck up a lot of water (such as carpet and furniture) can usually be salvaged if they’ve been in the water for less than 24 hours. Should they’ve remained in the water for over 48 hours, then they should be thrown away.
  • It’s vital to make a record of possessions that can be restored and what needs to be discarded. This will help with the insurance claim.
  • After all, was dried, the cellar contents and construction (walls, base floor, drywall, etc.) ought to be cleaned and cleaned. The cleanup team should discard the drywall and wood that have a lot of molds.
  • Bleach must not be employed to wash mold because bleach kills reside mold, but not mold spores. Household detergent is preferable.
  • Ultimately, any residual repairs include: filling foundation cracks, replacing damaged drywall (with a mold-resistant type) sealing windows and vents, and more.

Ways to prevent basement flooding

  • Keep roof gutters and downspouts clean and divert rainwater two meters away from the house.
  • Install an automatic emergency generator that offers the building electricity during blackouts.
  • Install a sump pump, which automatically drains water from the cellar also prevents water from climbing.
  • Seal all openings or openings in the walls, floors, foundations, and windows of the home.
  • Install porous pavement around the building to assist absorb rainwater and thawed snow.
  • Check the drainage systems and pipes regularly to make sure they’re working correctly.

When basement flooding happens, contact the water damage restoration experts!

When dealing with the flood cleanup, consulting with a water damage expert is a great idea. PuroClean responds to a call every single day and all night.

To ascertain the full extent of the basement damages, phone your local PuroClean office for an evaluation. Moreover, our national hotline is (403) 309-0095. This restoration company‘s team is prepared to provide professional help in any cellar flooding situation. Visit them here to learn more.