How To Safely Recover From a Basement Flood

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

A basement flood can lead to a tremendous amount of property damage.

How To Safely Recover From a Basement Flood

A basement flood can lead to a tremendous amount of property damage. The quicker you act when a flood occurs, the better off you may be with your recovery. For significant water disasters, call one of several water mitigation companies in Ridgeview Park, GA, for help. If the flood is minor, you can do the cleanup yourself by following three steps.

Remove water
Discard appliances
Implement preventatives

Remove Water
When dealing with a flooded basement, the first step is to remove the water. However, it may not be so simple. First, if a broken water fixture causes the flood, you need to shut off the water supply but consider safety. If flood levels reach a depth of greater than one inch, turn off the electricity to the affected area to minimize the risk of injury. Use shop vacs and pumps to remove the excess water.

Discard Appliances
For deep floods, discard contaminated appliances. All matters of bacteria can call a basement flood home. Removing water from the area will not automatically eliminate all contaminants. Devices may also suffer from electrical issues because of the water damage sustained during a flood. You are better off buying new appliances, and, depending on the circumstances of the flood, your insurance coverage may supply enough funds to replace equipment.

Implement Preventatives
After resolving the original water or plumbing problems, implement preventative measures, ensuring a dry basement. Install sump pumps, backwater valves, and other equipment to prevent groundwater and external floods from penetrating the interior of your home.
A basement flood can lead to significant expenses if not dealt with quickly. For minor floods, a DIY approach may work, but for substantial damage, contact professionals to safely mitigate and restore your property. Deep floods, even higher than a few inches, can lead to life-threatening conditions. Do not risk yourself or your loved ones when there are safer options available.