You’ve just had a flood in your basement. What do you do? Luckily, there are some steps that you can take to prevent mold from growing and water from leaking back into the flooded area.
In this article, we’ll discuss 11 steps to take after a basement flood so that your home is protected for years to come.
1. Assess the damage
The first step after a flooded basement is to assess the damage. This means taking a look at the extent of the water damage, as well as any damage to your belongings. You’ll need to document all of this so that you can file an insurance claim.
2. Contact your insurance company
Once you’ve assessed the damage, you’ll need to contact your insurance company. They will guide you through the process of filing a claim and getting your home repaired.
3. Remove water and dry out your basement
Once you have evacuated the area and contacted insurance, the next step is to remove the water. You can do this by using a pump or wet vacuum. You will also need to dry out the basement. This can be done with a fan, dehumidifier, or heaters.
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4. Clean up any remaining water or residue from cleaning up the mess
After cleaning up the flooded basement, it’s important to clean up any remaining water or residue. This will help prevent any further damage and make the cleanup process easier. Here are a few tips for cleaning up water and residue:
- Use a wet vacuum to clean up the water
- Use a mop or broom to clean up the residue
- Dispose of all cleaning materials properly
- Clean and disinfect all surfaces
5. Ventilate your basement to remove any lingering moisture
Ventilate your basement to remove any lingering moisture. This will help you dry out your flooded basement and prevent mold growth.
If you have a dehumidifier, use it! After the water levels have decreased below six inches, ventilate your area for two hours each day until the room is dry again.
6. Get rid of anything that has been ruined by water, including furniture, carpets, and insulation
If your basement has flooded, you’ll need to get rid of anything that has been ruined by water. This includes furniture, carpets, and insulation. You may also need to replace the electrical wiring if it’s been damaged by water.
If you’re unsure whether something can be salvaged, it’s best to err on the side of caution and throw it away. You don’t want to risk further damage by trying to save something that’s already been ruined.
7. Replace destroyed items with new ones that will suit your needs better than before
As a homeowner, there are many items that you have put a substantial amount of money into. Some people have an insurance claim for insurance to be able to recover their property should it get damaged.
However, insurance does not cover everything and sometimes insurance will even refuse to take responsibility for the property loss.
When the insurance company won’t make good on your insurance claim, what do you do? You can replace these items with ones that will suit your needs better than before. This may mean that you purchase a cheaper item but it is more reliable and less expensive in the long run.
Or you can go out and invest in something that suits your needs better than before. For example, if you had a big-screen television ruined by water or a flood, you can go out and buy a more expensive big-screen television that is better quality.
The insurance company will not replace all of your items if they do not feel as though the item meets their criteria for what they deem to be “necessary”.
If there are losses that insurance won’t cover, then it’s up to you to decide whether or not the loss is worth investing in a new purchase.
In some cases, insurance may agree to pay for part of the cost but never fully compensate for everything lost during a disaster such as an area flooding from water damage.
8. Seal off cracks in the foundation to prevent future flooding
Sealing cracks in the foundation is important to prevent heavy rain from getting into your house. It’s especially important if water was leaking through the cracks before the heavy rainfall. You can seal off cracks using cement, silicone or caulk to make sure that there are no more leaks.
Smooth out the top of the carpet, padding, and upholstery to remove high spots and low spots to ensure even weight distribution across all heavy objects on your furniture.
9. Use heavy-duty plastic sheeting to cover up your furniture
If your basement has flooded, you’ll need to use heavy-duty plastic sheeting to cover up your furniture. This will help protect it from water and residue. Use a wet vacuum to clean up the water, and a broom or mop to clean up the residue. Dispose of all cleaning materials properly, and clean and disinfect all surfaces.
10. Put heavy-duty plastic sheets on your furniture before it starts raining again
Putting heavy-duty plastic sheets on your furniture before it starts raining again can help to protect your furniture from water damage. If you live in an area that is prone to heavy rain, make sure to take this precaution to avoid costly water damage.
If your basement has recently been flooded, you will need to take some additional steps to make sure that the water does not damage your home again.
11. Install a sump pump for added protection against future floods in case it fails again at some point in time
If your home has been flooded, it’s important to take action to prevent future damage. One step you can take is to install a sump pump. A sump pump is a mechanical device that removes water from a basement or crawls space.
It can be installed in a pit on the floor or outside of the house. If your sump pump fails, it’s important to have a backup plan in place
Conclusion
I hope these tips have been helpful. These are just 11 things to do after a flooded basement, but there may be more you want to address depending on your situation and how bad the flooding is.
Be sure to check with your insurance company before conducting any clean-up yourself in case they require certain steps or methods for remediation that won’t void coverage.
If you need help cleaning up this mess call us today! We’ll get started right away so you can start enjoying life again soon!
