It’s that time of year again — flood season. With all the rain that’s expected during the summertime, it’s not uncommon for people to experience floods. But do you know what to do when you find an unexpected pool of water in your basement? Here are 10 steps you need to take whenever you discover that your basement has just flooded.
For your safety, you should never step into a flooded basement if the water has come in contact with any electrical outlets or cords. If you can’t turn off the breaker box without standing in water, call your electricity company to shut off the power for you. Also, make sure to avoid touching anything that generates electricity if you get wet. Water and electricity don’t mix, and you will risk getting electrocuted.
After your basement has just flooded, you’ll want to get everything dry as soon as possible to avoid mould growth and further water absorption. Start by removing any of the items in your basement that you can lift to an area that is dry. Pull up any carpets and underpadding as you may be able to save it if it’s removed and dried quickly.
If you suspect damage, you’ll need to provide proof to your insurance company of all the items that have suffered water damage. So grab your camera and start snapping photos of the damage. And once you have the evidence, be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
Next step is to get rid of the water. You can clean up the water with pails, towels, a mop and a wet/dry shop vacuum. If the insulation and drywall have become wet or if you suspect contamination, you may want to hire a contractor to help you remove the wet materials and deal with the damage.
As soon as the excess water has been removed, it’s important to dry the area to prevent mould growth and any further damage to your belongings. You can use fans and a dehumidifier to dry it out, and if there are windows, open them up nice and wide to help it dry out faster.
Once you’ve removed all the water, you should then disinfect everything by washing and scrubbing all the affected surfaces with detergent to remove any contaminants and bacteria.
After all the surfaces have been cleaned, you should use a dehumidifier or fan to completely dry the area once again. You can also start to throw away anything that was damaged.
You should also carefully clean your drains and sump pits with a detergent. It’s important to remove any greasy dirt and grime that may lead to further issues in the future.
If you have water leaking into your basement, it could be for a number of different reasons, like a cracked foundation. Determining the cause is important to ensure that it won’t happen again which is why you need to call a professional to inspect your home. A qualified Ottawa foundation repair expert will be able to pinpoint the cause of the flood and suggest necessary measures to prevent this from happening in the future.
If your basement has just flooded, contact us at City Residential Foundation Repair. We’ll come and inspect the problem, and help determine the best course of action to keep your home protected.
Do you experience regular flooding or live in an area where the water level is above the property’s foundation? Then you need a sump pump in your basement. What’s a sump pump? It’s a pumping system that removes water that gathers around the foundation of your home and pushes it back away from it. It …
Have you been noticing a damp, musty type of smell lingering in your home lately? This could be a sign of mould. Mould usually thrives in places where moisture is present and where there isn’t a lot of airflow. But beyond the unappealing odour, it can also impact the health of you and your family. …
It’s that time of year again — flood season. With all the rain that’s expected during the summertime, it’s not uncommon for people to experience floods. But do you know what to do when you find an unexpected pool of water in your basement? Here are 10 steps you need to take whenever you discover …
Reviews