Flooded Basement? Here's What You Should Do

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Removing all this water from a flooded basement in Old Saybrook took less than three hours with our equipment!

Walking down your stairs to find that your basement flooded is not a good feeling, to say the least. Water in your basement may damage family heirlooms, electronics, washing machines, carpets and more, leaving any homeowner overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. But don’t worry - we’ll walk you through all the steps of a flooded basement cleanup here! 

What To Do When Your Basement Floods 

• Don’t immediately enter a flooded crawlspace or basement! Be sure that it’s safe to enter first. If there’s a good amount of standing water, you should turn off your electricity and gas. If you’re unsure about how to turn off your power or the circuit breaker is in the basement, you can call an electrician for help.

• Get rain boots and other protective gear to wear. You shouldn’t be wading through flood water in your sandals because depending on the source, the water could be dirty or contaminated and make you sick. If the water is high enough, you may consider chest waders as well. But if your basement is this flooded, we would recommend calling a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Old Saybrook to take care of the situation properly. 

• Find the source of the water. This will help decide your next steps. If the flood water is due to heavy rains, you should wait until the storm ends and water stops flowing into your basement. If the water is from a source such as a burst pipe, hot water heater, sewer backup, or any other faulty appliances or pipes, turn off your water immediately and begin our next steps! 

• If you have them, check if your sump pump or the drain on your basement floor is working. Both of these things can help drain standing water in your basement, but it is also possible they’re the source of your flooding. Double check if they’re clogged or broken, and do your best to get them to work! 

• Begin removing water and water extraction. For small floods or puddles of water, you can use a wet dry vacuum or towels, mop and a bucket. If there’s a few inches or more of standing water, we recommend calling a flood removal company, like SERVPRO of Old Saybrook. Our advanced equipment will be able to quickly extract and remove all water from your basement - something which is highly important to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. 

• Dry out your basement as well as possible. Remove any wet or water damaged belongings so that they can dry. Then, set up fans and dehumidifiers to dry out and remove all moisture from your basement. If there was a lot of standing water for an extended amount of time, your household fans and dehumidifiers may not do the trick. If you need help drying out your flooded basement, call SERVPRO of Old Saybrook. Our advanced equipment and moisture meters allow us to completely dry out your basement - and scientifically prove it! 

• Start cleaning and sanitizing. You should make sure that all basement walls and floors have been properly cleaned and sanitized. The flood water may have left behind dirt, gunk, or much worse depending on the source of the water. This step will also help to prevent the growth of mold or mildew, as well as any unwanted odors.

• Fix what flooded your basement in the first place. You want to take preventative measures so that you don’t end up with standing water in your basement again! If your home is naturally prone to flooding, take steps to redirect water away from basement walls and runoff further away from your home. If you don’t already have a sump pump or floor drain, consider installing them. It may also be a good idea to put appliances like washers, dryers, water heaters, and even furnaces on blocks so that if your basement floods again, they will be less likely to get submerged in water. 

What Causes A Flooded Basement?

There’s many different reasons for flooded or wet basements, but here’s a few:

• Insufficient drainage around basement walls
• Heavy rains
• Failing sump pump
• Clogged or backed-up floor drains
• Groundwater coming through cracks in the foundation
• Burst pipes or appliances with broken water lines

Luckily, there are solutions to many of these problems, such as fixing broken pipes or appliances, changing where water runs off from your home, or waterproofing your basement. 

Do You Need A Professional To Help With Flooded Basement Cleanup? 

You may not always need a professional to remove water and dry out your basement. But, if the water is past your ankles, we would strongly recommend calling a professional flooded basement cleanup company like SERVPRO of Old Saybrook.

As water damage restoration specialists, we have all the resources and expertise necessary to rapidly remove all water from your basement, dry it out, sanitize, and restore any damaged areas. Immediate cleanup and response is essential when it comes to flooding and water damage to help prevent mold growth, odors, and structural decay. Check out the Water Damage Timeline for more information.

SERVPRO of Old Saybrook provides all customers:

• 24/7/365 Rapid emergency service
• Free evaluations
• Free estimates
• Direct insurance billing & guidance through the insurance process.

Have Questions or Need Help? Call SERVPRO of Old Saybrook Today! 800-734-3213