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A Homeowner’s Guide To Dealing With A Flooded Basement After The Storm

Your basement is an essential room in your house. It can be used to store items, such as toys, sports equipment, books, and other things that the household no longer uses every day. For some, it can also be an extra living space. However, if you’re living in a location frequented by storms, there’s a high chance your basement will get flooded.

When this happens, you might feel helpless about the situation. Aside from worrying about your possessions soaked in water, you also need to think about the damage the flood causes to the structural integrity of your house. This is one reason you should act fast if you have a flooded basement.

Here’s a homeowner’s guide to dealing with a flooded basement after the storm.

Before Going Down, Safety First

When your basement is flooded due to a storm, the first thing you should do is to ensure it’s safe to check the area and find out the water level. Wait until the storm has passed before going to the basement to ensure your safety. Make sure to shut down all the power sources in the area to prevent accidents. If you have an appliance underwater, there’s a high chance you get electrocuted if you go in there without turning off the power first.

If the circuit breaker is situated in the basement, it’s better not to touch anything after it becomes flooded unless you’re an expert electrician. Instead, call your power utility company to handle the turning off of the power source. That way, you can go down into the basement without any safety risks around the corner.

Remove The Water

Now that you have safe access to the basement, it’s time to remove the water to evaluate the extent of the damage caused by the storm. If you use your basement as a storage area, take all your stuff to a new location to empty the space. These can include heavy furniture, carpet, and other significant items.

If you decide to do the job yourself, you probably need a water pump to start the removal process and the cleanup. It can help speed up the cleaning process to avoid mold growth and other property damage. Hence, if you’re looking for a new pump for your flooded basement, you can check out some options at Generator Pro UK and other reliable providers in your area.

Aside from a water pump, you might also require a humidifier to prevent mold and rot from ruining your basement. This is especially true if the flooded area isn’t well ventilated. Once you have all the equipment you need, give your basement enough time to dry. If you want to make it fast, you can place fans around the area or keep all the windows and doors open to ensure proper air circulation. However, if you think the water removal process can be best handled professionally, you can contact a reputable cleanup company to help you.

Know What Items Can Be Saved

While waiting for your basement to completely dry, you need to deal with your damp objects. Besides, even if you won’t use these items, you shouldn’t leave them behind. Instead, determine which can be saved and which is junk.

For example, if some of your possessions have been damaged by water, throwing them away might be a good option. If some items have been infested by mold and mildew but can still be saved, then it’s best to take them to a professional cleaning service to restore their condition. Lastly, if you have insurance coverage, try to check if your policy can compensate you for the damaged items. If yes, file a claim as quickly as possible after the flood.

Waterproof Your Basement

Dealing with a flooded basement storm after the storm can be frustrating. Thus, if you don’t want to experience the same flooding incident in the future, you need to waterproof your basement as quickly as possible. Basement waterproofing involves using specific techniques to prevent water from seeping through your basement and causing water damage. When you waterproof your basement, you can have peace of mind knowing the area is safe against floods associated with storms.

So, if you need professional help with the waterproofing process, you can always contact a waterproofing company to do the job for you. They have the knowledge, skills, and experience in sealing your basement so water won’t penetrate.

Bottom Line

Basement floods can be annoying, especially if they happen more frequently. Aside from the tremendous amount of time spent cleaning, the flood can potentially damage your items and property. Therefore, keep this homeowner’s guide in mind if you want to be prepared for disasters like this. That way, you’ll know what to do to deal with a flooded basement after the storm.

 

Gail P
I am a beachy type of person, living in Newport Beach, and oftentimes I’ll go for a swim with my daughter. When I’m bored, I’ll help make package boxes for my little girl’s sticker company on Etsy.