For homeowners, there are few things more nightmarish than discovering a flooded basement. The damage that water inflicts on flooring, walls and cherished personal items is often irreversible. Nevertheless, a flooded basement isn’t the end of the world. It is, however, the start of a sometimes long and arduous cleanup process. The faster you get on it, the better!
What are some of the most important steps to take in the event your basement gets flooded?
Cut the power.
It’s always vital to think with a “safety first” mindset. The last thing you want to have happen is an electrocution. It should go without saying that water and electricity are a bad mixture. Shut off the power to your home’s basement by locating the circuit breaker and flipping the switches. Naturally, this will help to prevent electrical shocks and fires. If the breaker happens to be in a flooded area, seek professional help. Don’t put yourself in danger.
Document the damage for insurance purposes.
Once the power has been shut off and it’s safe to venture into your basement, be sure to take out your camera phone. Documenting the damage in order to submit an insurance claim should be done as soon as possible. Be sure to photograph everything to give your insurance company clear evidence of what has happened. Take shots of the walls, floors, furniture, appliances and any personal items affected by the flood.
As the Durham Region website encourages, “call your insurance company as soon as possible and report property damage caused by the flooding. Remember to take photos of any damage and keep receipts from emergency repair work or cleanup work done to prevent or reduce further damage.”
Pump the water out of your basement.
You certainly don’t want your basement to stay flooded for very long. If you don’t already have one, buy or rent a sump pump. This device is specially designed to move water from your basement to the exterior of your house. Once turned on, it directs water into a discharge pipe and away from the home’s foundation. Generally, sump pumps are powered electrically, by battery or by water.
A wet/dry vacuum and some buckets will also come in handy. You’ll likely need them to remove standing water and dry out puddles and other particularly wet areas once the water has been drained. Remember that the sooner you remove the water from your basement, the less damage it will do to your home’s foundation and your possessions.
Ventilate and dehumidify the basement.
As mentioned, it’s vital to get your basement as dry as possible as soon as possible. This step will help you to prevent potentially dangerous mould growth. Open all of the windows and your doors in order to promote air circulation. Set up some fans to move the air around and use dehumidifiers to pull moisture out of the air. In many cases, you will need to keep these devices running for several days. “Make sure the area is thoroughly aired-out and dry before reoccupying it,” stresses Durham Region.
Call in the pros!
In addition to any and all of your plumbing needs, your friends at 2 Bro’s Plumbing supply sump pumps and sump pits. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 905-556-0790. You may also email us at admin@2brosplumbing.ca.
