4 Steps To Take After a Basement Flood

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Steps To Take When Your Basement Floods

The basement is a common location of home floods. After all, water can easily enter the basement during storms. This is especially true if your basement walls and floors are improperly sealed. Yet a flood can even occur in dry conditions. Common sources of basement flooding include:

• Hot water tanks
  
• Broken supply lines
  
• Sump pumps
  
• Downspouts
  
  

No matter the cause of the flood, you need to act quickly to minimize the damage. Here are four steps to take when your basement floods.

1. Locate the Source of the Basement Flood
First, you should figure out what caused the buildup of water. This will then determine your next steps. If the flood is due to a storm, wait for the bad weather to pass before attempting any cleanup. If the excess water came from an internal fixture such as a pipe, turn off the valve that is supplying water to the basement. This should prevent the flooding from getting any worse.

2. Call the Pros
Call your insurance provider and your local emergency restoration company as soon as possible. Ideally, they will work together to get your home repaired.

3. Protect Yourself
If you decide to enter the flooded basement, you need to keep yourself safe. Do not touch any stereos, lights or other electronics. Be sure to also wear protective gear, including gloves, boots and a mask.

4. Take Initial Measures To Limit the Damage
Large jobs such as pipe repair should only be done by professionals. However, once you have the proper protective gear, you can start a bit of the cleanup yourself. Use a sump pump, mop or wet vacuum to remove the water. You should also take any wet items out of the basement and place them in a ventilated area where they can dry.
If you encounter flooding in the basement of your Salina, KS, home, there is no need to panic. Just follow the above suggestions, and your house should soon be back to normal.