Flooded Water Damaged Basement – What to do?

He decides to go to his basement to find some things that he has stored there. You turn on the lights and OH NO! There are several inches of standing water in the basement of your home. Has a flooded and water damaged basement. What should you do?

1) Remember, safety comes first! If electrical appliances are submerged in your basement, you will need to close the basement switch to avoid electrocution. If there are gas appliances, such as a water heater or furnace with a pilot light, that has been submerged, you should turn off the gas supply to these appliances as a precaution. Enter with caution, or if you “feel” unsafe, call a water damage professional immediately.

2) Try to find the source of the flood and stop the flow of new water entering the basement. This can be simple or it may require the help of a plumber or other business professional. Some common sources of basement flooding:

A) Leaky fresh water supply line.

B) Leaky sewer drain line, WASTE WATER

C) The washing machine (in the basement) overflows / malfunctions.

D) Sump pump malfunction or failure.

E) Power outage resulting in sump pump failure.

F) Over-watering of gardens that creates a man-made high water table and can cause water to seep through concrete.

G) High water table that occurs naturally in the geographic area of ​​your home, resulting in water seeping through the concrete.

H) Overflow of rivers, lakes and streams.

I) Street flooding in localized areas, this often occurs during heavy rains when storm drains are overwhelmed or clogged with leaves and debris.

3) If the source of the water is from a sewer drain line, sump pump failure, or groundwater flooding from a river, stream, or lake, the water may contain dangerous microbes or chemicals and should be handled and treated by a professional water damage company. .

4) After the water source is shut off, move and evaluate personal contents for storage or disposal. Place large items that cannot be easily removed (cabinets, etc.) on blocks.

5) If the area is small and just raw cement, use a wet shop vacuum to extract as much water as possible and put a small dehumidifier and some fans in the area for at least a week. If the basement flooding involves finished building materials like carpet, frame, drywall, etc., stop and call a water damage professional for proper cleaning, drying, and disinfection. A professional water damage company will be able to dry and clean finished building materials that can be preserved in a way that prevents microbial amplification or mold growth. In the event complex systems, such as a water heater or heating system, are damaged by water, call the appropriate professional for an evaluation (plumber or HVAC contractor).

6) Your homeowners insurance may or may not cover basement flood damage. This will depend on the type of coverage you carry and the source of the water. Contact your insurance claims professional for details on what is covered and what is not.

7) Basement flooding can cause serious problems to your home’s structure or indoor air quality if not managed and treated in a timely and proper manner. If you have water damage in your basement, seriously consider calling in a professional water damage company for a proper repair and restoration.

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