Finding your basement flooding is a horrible feeling. Be prepared and know what to do in such a situation; it will enable you to keep a cool head and proceed in a manner that will relieve the stress of such an event.
Here are some quick tips to follow during a basement flood:
- Electrocution is always a danger! Be sure all our electricity is turned off before venturing into the water-laden area.
- Call your trusted local plumber.
- If the flood is severe, call a specialist or your local fire department to help with the water removal.
- Call your insurance company to check on your flood coverage.
- Be sure to dry out all your water-soaked items to prevent mold growth, which can begin quickly if not addressed.
- Keep an itemized list of your belongings.
- Wear protective clothing such as masks & gloves.
- Wash & dry those items immediately after use.
- Remove any rugs or pull them back from the wet area; drying the wet portions of the carpet with a fan or carpet extractor is important! (A carpet cleaning vacuum/extractor will pull up all excess water from your rug/s.)
- Provide as much ventilation as possible. Run fans to assist in drying out the space and your belongings.
- Run a dehumidifier immediately and continuously until it is thoroughly dried out. Afterward, your dehumidifier should be set at 35% and run year-round.
- Be sure there is no structural damage to your foundation.
Keep an eye on the space for a few weeks to locate any missed areas of concern or continued dampness. Being prepared is helpful, but being proactive will save you from future problems.