How to Handle a Flooded Basement in Easy Steps

The fear of impending flood waters following a storm is justified. It’s possible that when you return home, you’ll find significant damage to the roof, windows, and structure. Storm surges or broken water mains can cause hundreds of liters of water to rush into your home, washing away everything in its path. This concise article will examine the causes of basement flooding and the steps to take if you encounter such a situation.

Turn off the power.

If the circuit breaker for your home is not located in the basement, you must turn off the electricity to the entire building. In other cases, the water could cause damage to any electronics or electrical appliances that were in contact with it. Typically, the circuit breaker is situated in an easily accessible area, such as the garage. An electrical panel’s fuse box, seen in certain older residences, could be close to the meter.

Drain the water.

It’s best to drain the water and see how bad the damage is after you’ve removed anything that could be harmful such as electronics. If your basement frequently floods, you should replace your sump pump. Since a pump won’t eliminate every drop of water in your basement, you’ll need to get creative with a mop and some towels.

If you find more than two feet of water in your basement, call a company for certified remediation in Arkansas for help rather than trying to get rid of it yourself. Take immediate action to drain the water. Mold needs moisture to grow, and the resulting damage can’t be undone once it does.

Deal with your damp goods. 

Remove all moisture-retaining items before starting if you want to get the most out of your basement drying efforts. Throw damp furniture and books into the garage or another dry area. Your insurance should pay for everything from replacing broken objects to cleaning up mold in the basement. The insurance claim should be submitted as soon as possible after the flood.

The wet carpet must be ripped up, and the wet items must be discarded. It’s possible to save the carpet in some cases, but in most cases, it will need to be replaced along with the padding.

Dry out the area. 

You should not expect your basement to dry out by itself. There’s a good chance you’ll need to either buy or rent some industrial fans and blowers. A dehumidifier can help you eliminate the extra moisture, get things dried up more quickly, and lower the risk of mold growth. Safeguarding Restoration is the place to get the materials you need to fix your cellar.

Take preventative measures to avoid mold growth.

Dark, moist places are perfect breeding grounds for mold. Mold discovered in the weeks following a flood may necessitate the removal of sheetrock. Use soap together with warm water to clean your walls thoroughly.

In addition to a dehumidifier and fans, you can utilize a HEPA air purifier to remove mold spores and allergens from the air. The basement should be checked for mold growth after the disaster. Spots that look suspicious can be removed with bleach and hot water.

Take preventative measures to avoid future floods.

Following the flood, it’s important to understand what led to it. Have you had water in your basement from flooding in your yard due to a recent storm? Have you seen any craters in your structure’s base? Should a new sump pump be installed? If you want to prevent flooding in the future, a professional on water damage solutions in Arkansas can help you update your basement, fix your foundation, or make other necessary changes to your landscaping and gutters.

Conclusion

Assuming the damage has been fixed, you surely do not want a repeat catastrophe; so, what went wrong? Hiring a professional restoration service should help you in the proper route. Is the sump pump malfunctioning and in need of repair? Perhaps there are deeper issues with the foundation that needs to be addressed. Heavy rains could cause flooding in your basement because of the garden’s landscaping. Take care of the root of the issue, so it doesn’t keep popping up.