What to Do When Your Basement Floods: 5 Simple Steps
Your basement can flood any time of the year. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they’re usually built partially if not fully below the ground. And while most flooding occurs during heavy rains or rapid spring snow melts, it can occur even during dry weather.
A number of things can cause your basement to flood. Water can seep or flow through the walls or foundation. It might leak down through your wall and floors during surface flooding into your home. Additionally, burst pipes and sanitary or storm sewer backups can also lead to basement flooding.
Whatever the source of the water may be, it’s important to act quickly when your basement floods. Here are 5 things you should do.
1) Shut off the power
Never enter the basement with the power on during a flood. Locate your breaker box or (in older homes) your fuse box and cut off power to the basement before doing anything else.
2) Remove the flood water
A damp environment is the perfect breeding ground for mold. And mold compounds your flood damage costs. If your sump pump has failed, buy another to drain the water. Alternatively, you can use a wet vac to remove the water.
3) Remove damp objects
For your basement to dry, remove everything that got wet and place it all in an area like your garage to dry. Remove any wet carpet and padding. You’ll probably have to replace both.
4) Dry thoroughly
To get your basement completely dry a dehumidifier is often the most effective tool. Supplement the dehumidifier with fans to keep air flowing throughout your space.
5) Prevent mold growth
Mold poses a serious health threat. To prevent it, use soap and warm water to clean the walls. Afterward, check the basement every day. Clean any suspicious-looking spots with bleach and warm water while wearing protective gloves and a mask.
Flood prevention
Once you’ve taken these steps, we urge you to check out our line of flood barriers for homes to prevent future damage to your home and property. Because when you live in flooding areas, the best flood insurance is a strong line of defense.