Did you know that 98% of basements in the US will suffer water damage of some sort in their lifetime?
Heavy rains and faulty sump pumps aren’t the only causes of basement flooding. Burst pipes also flood the basement with water. A malfunctioning dishwasher or washing machine transforms the basement into a paddling pool. Whatever the reason, you're in for a difficult time.
When you find a flood in your basement, where do you begin? First, immediately contact an emergency flooded basement service to keep yourself and your belongings safe and avoid long-term damage. Here's how to do it.
The cleanup of basement flooding should begin immediately, whether at your home or your workplace. However, it is not typically a do-it-yourself project. Instead, you're going to need expert help.
When your basement floods, the first three phone calls you should make are the essential ones. You'll want to begin the cleaning procedure immediately.
The majority of the time, it is preferable to leave basement flooding to the experts. They can do the following:
An emergency flooded basement service, like Quik Stop Restoration, will provide you with a thorough evaluation of the damage and the work that needs to be completed.
We will work hand in hand with your insurance company and their adjuster. They take care of the paperwork and guide you through the claims procedure. This will give you peace of mind, and you can relax as they deal with your flooded basement.
When it comes to water damage in basements, most householders' insurance plans cover it as long as it's not a consequence of natural floods. Make contact with your insurance agent or the insurance company’s general claim hotline.
Explain what occurred. Prepare a list of specifics regarding when the basement flooded, what caused it, and the extent of the damage before calling.
Your insurance company will organize for an adjuster to come out and examine the damage.
If you have not already done so, call a professional electrician. Do not descend into a flooded basement while the electricity is still running.
If the circuit breakers are downstairs in the basement, do not attempt to access them on your own. Call a qualified electrician who will do the following:
No matter how easily you can disconnect electricity, it's a good idea to have an electrician inspect a flooded basement. Through their examination, these potentially hazardous issues may be identified and addressed.
Although you may be concerned about protecting your possessions, remember that safety must always be your first concern. Since water conducts electrical current, entering a flooded basement is very dangerous.
If the water is more than 1 foot deep, the danger of electrocution is considerably greater. As a result, it is safer, in this case, to contact an emergency flood specialist. If you have 1 or 2 inches of water, though, you should be able to clean out most of the water by yourself, even though it is better to have a specialist do it.
If you decide to go it alone, it's a good idea to get someone to remain close in case anything goes wrong.
A flooded basement is a serious problem. However, you may save a great deal of time and money if you handle the issue as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible. Here are some safety tips and to-dos.
If there are gas pipes or appliances in the basement, first walk outside and turn off the supply.
If you can't securely access your breaker, it is best to contact your electrician or your emergency flooded basement service company.
When your basement floods, anything from untreated sewage to chemicals and contaminants, as well as a variety of other dangerous items, may be present in that water. Don’t venture downstairs without your protective gear. It is best to wear:
You also need a flashlight. Remember to always keep protective gear on. When in doubt ask your Restoration Professional if it is safe to enter a basement or what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) you should wear.
Apart from the electrocution danger, the water may be polluted depending on its source. Water from rain and floods is known to contain germs. This is harmful to your health and is invisible. Keep children and pets out of the damp room until it is safe.
Once you're certain it's safe to enter the basement, you can begin going through your belonging. If you made an insurance claim, your insurance company will want to know the type and number of belonging that were damaged. Even small items like old clothes, towels, or toys can have a big impact. Make a list on a notepad and take photos with your phone.
However, use caution - if water is left stagnant for an extended period of time, it may quickly become too unclean to enter. Everything with electrical components is especially sensitive to water damage and can be very hazardous to use.
Aside from the apparent property damage, a flooded basement may be quite expensive to repair.
The waterproofing should be investigated if your basement has been drained but you still have exterior flooding. An emergency flooded basement service company will perform this as part of their procedure to minimize disruption and assist you in avoiding future floods.
If you don't have your basement properly dried out, you'll have problems with dampness, mold, and rot for quite some time. These may then cause health issues for the whole family, with youngsters, the elderly, and those who already have respiratory difficulties being most vulnerable to the effects.
Mold may colonize as quickly as 24 to 48 hours after being exposed to it. Furthermore, once it has entrenched itself, it requires less moisture to continue growing.
In addition to rotting any wood in your basement, it will also damage the structural frame of your home. This puts your house and its structural stability in jeopardy. Furthermore, if moisture gets trapped between sections of the house, it may take months for it to dry out on it own.
Cross-contamination is a significant issue when dealing with a flooded basement. Because black and grey water contain potentially harmful pollutants, keeping flooded objects apart from clean, unaffected regions is critical.
If they aren't, the previously undamaged regions become polluted. Your emergency flooded basement service provider will take further measures to prevent cross-contamination.
For example, they may do ATP swab testing throughout the home, not only in the basement. This eliminates the possibility of cross-contamination and guarantees the safety of all locations.
Any place that has had water damage will often retain a musty smell for some time afterward, particularly if mold becomes an issue. An emergency flooded basement service company can provide smell removal services to restore habitability to an area.
Now that we've established the extent of the devastation that flooded basements may do, let's look at some potential reasons. Here are some causes of flooding basements:
Buildings with basements typically include a sump pit. A sump pit collects water. If the water cannot be drained, the pit will continue to fill and eventually flood your basement.
Sump pumps are often used to assist and prevent sump pit overflows. This is often done during the construction process, but many homeowners install them afterward. In addition, these pumps are used to remove accumulated water from the pit periodically.
It's critical to repair and maintain these pumps and drainage systems regularly. If they are not, the water from your sump pit will not be properly drained away, resulting in an overflow and flooding of your basement.
If you live in a low-lying region or a place with a naturally high water table, you are more likely to have a flooded basement due to groundwater flooding. This is because the earth around the sump pit will already be slightly wet, allowing for less water to flow away from it.
This may cause the sump pit to overflow after heavy rains, enabling water to seep through all the gaps and seams in the basement flooring.
A ruptured water main may quickly release thousands of gallons of water. And if you have a basement, you're probably in trouble. Whether you have a sump pit or not, the water will find its way into your basement via any cracks and fissures in the building.
Internal leaks or floods may be disastrous. Sadly, no amount of sump pits or tanking will assist here. An interior flood is possible if your basement has water pipes running through it or appliances using water.
Check your appliances regularly to help avoid flooding caused by the malfunction. This includes all pipes and connections, as well as any additional equipment.
Some emergency basement flooding is just too tough to handle yourself. Water can enter your house very fast and has to be dried and aired correctly.
Choose the right emergency flooded basement service company that has the appropriate expertise for your job. Mold may grow from dampness, producing health problems as well as severe property damage.
Talk to your restoration company about the specifics of the job. For example, inquire about the duration of their job, their water cleanup expertise, and the required insurance paperwork.
