If you live in an area that experiences typhoons, summer storms, stormwater runoffs from hills and mountains, and many other natural catastrophes, flooded basements are nothing new to you. In fact, you may be thinking of shutting off your basement completely since it is such a hassle to clean up after flooding. Downpours create a real mess in the basement. Not to mention, it ruins furniture, carpets, tiles, paint, and boxes of stuff you don’t use anymore.
Whether this is a seasonal thing or you’ve experienced it for the first time, experts said you have to act quickly when dealing with a water-damaged basement. It’s not just about the mold and mildew that might form there if you let standing water remain there. It’s the impact of these things on your respiratory health, as well as the weakening of your home’s foundation. Plus, as much as no one wants to deal with water damages, no one also wants to live above a flooded basement.
Turn off Power in the Basement
By now, if this is a regular occurrence, you should have separated your basement’s power lines from your main home. Switch off the electricity there because that might cause fatal accidents. You also need to try to stop the source of the water. If it’s a busted pipe, turn off the water supply. If it’s a broken-down washing machine, switch the appliance off. These two are the most practical thing to do after a basement flooding, but many homeowners panic and forget about turning off the power line there.
Call for Professional Help
You should have a water damage restoration service on speed dial. If this is a regular occurrence, this is not the first time you will be calling them. If this is your first time experiencing water damage in your basement, then don’t panic and call for professional help. The company will give you a step-by-step guide on what to do while they are not yet there. Follow the instructions and wait for the professionals to arrive.
Remove the Water
While waiting for the professionals, you can start removing the water from the basement. Make sure you’ve already turned off the source and the power line. You can use a wet vacuum for this. If you don’t have one, borrow or rent a unit. This will make your life easier. This, however, only works for minor water damage. If the basement is completely flooded, you’ll best wait for the professionals to arrive. Mention to them the extent of the flood, so they won’t make you wait for too long.
Dry the Basement Out
Professional water damage restorers will give you a guide on how to keep your basement dry after they remove the water. You should use a dehumidifier to remove the moist in the air. This can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which are far more annoying than a simple water damage. Mold is harder to remove once it begins clinging to your walls and floor tiles. For the best air circulation, leave the dehumidifier six to eight inches from the walls. You also have to replace the filters at least once a week.
Scrub the Flooring Vigorously
Mold can grow in between and underneath the floor tiles. It’s important to scrub them whenever you can. Use a solution of no more than one cup of chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. Make sure to wear protective gloves and goggles because the solution can hurt your skin and eyes. Do this at least once a month and keep the room ventilated when you do the cleaning.
Remove Important Assets from the Basement
This is probably not the last time you will have this dilemma. Remove any valuable items that are stored in the basement. You’re only putting these documents at greater risk. Whatever you have in the basement should be things you’re either going to donate, give away, or throw. Don’t put stuff of sentimental value there because that will make you panic when you realize the basement is flooded. The idea that there are valuable things there will throw you off what you need to do.
You have to think about what you can do about your basement if water damage is becoming a regular occurrence. You cannot deal with the stress of a flooded basement every time there’s a storm coming your way. Maybe there are reinforcements that your contractors can suggest doing to your house? They can install new water pipes that will move water away from the house and lead it into gutters. This is an important consideration to think about.
