What to do after a basement flood is one question that is constantly asked by family members, renters and business owners. After all, no one wants to be trapped in their house during a serious flooding situation. When you are reading this article you are probably wondering if you should salvage any items from your basement after it floods. This is a very good question and I have some answers for you. Continue reading this article to learn more about what to do after a basement flood.
One of the most important things you can do when your basement has floodwater is to stop the water from coming inside your home. You must ensure that all doors, windows and doors leading to your home are closed until the water has completely dried up. If your basement is completely dry you will prevent further damage to your building and minimize the chance of mold being formed as well. By completing this step you will also protect the items in your basement from becoming damaged due to water seeping in.
Another important step to take is to turn off electricity and gas to your basement. The heat and power that these utilities provide can cause unbearable temperatures in your basement which can cause your items to get damaged due to expansion. Also, the water in your basement can cause your electrical equipment to become damaged or even burst.
It is also important to shut down your building. You should contact your local fire department and ask them to send a fire hydrant into your basement so you can shut down the supply to the building. This can easily be accomplished with a simple key chain box. Once you have done this it is extremely important to seal up your basement. By sealing up the basement you will prevent moisture from entering the building again and causing more problems.
A basement waterproofing company can help you with your household insurance policy. They can help your family to save money on insurance premiums. In fact, many homeowners will tell you that they were able to save up to one thousand dollars by doing this process. So if you are facing a large flood in your home it would be wise to contact a reputable basement waterproofing company to get the job done right the first time.
A good company will be able to completely remove the water from your basement. They will then waterproof your basement walls and ceiling using special equipment that will seal the seams between the sheets of waterproofing. Then they will install covers over the floor and any other furniture in your building.
The last thing you should do after a flood in your home is to call your local authorities. They will need to know the exact location of the flooding in order to respond and make sure that all danger areas are evacuated. Also, if you are at risk of flooding again in the near future, the authorities will need to be notified as well. Your family needs to be aware of the dangers of basement floods and of the steps that need to be taken to prevent it from happening again.
These are just a few of the things you can do after a basement flooding. The sooner you act, the better off you will be. So, what to do after a basement flood?
Removing debris is one of the most important things you can do after a basement flood. Without debris, you will not be able to completely dry out the basement. This is because there will be no area for the water to drain into and then evaporate. In addition, if you have not covered the entire floor with plywood, you will also have no way to dry it off.
It is also very important to call a reputable flood damage restoration company. You never know how much damage may have occurred until a team from such a company comes to assess the situation. Some companies will even offer to take care of everything. However, it is important to decide ahead of time how much of a loss you want to incur from a basement leak.
If the damage is minor, such as a small hole or crack, then you may just want to repair the problem yourself. However, it is important to realize that most major repairs will require the assistance of a professional. The cost will depend on many factors, including the amount of water involved in the basement and the complexity of the issue.
See Our Other Blog Articles: