If your basement has recently flooded, you are probably dealing with a lot of different issues. The first one on the list is how to start on figuring out where to begin with the cleanup. Luckily, you’re not alone. In addition to calling water damage restoration experts and flood cleanup services, you can also do a lot of things on your own. This will help you jumpstart the process and get your items to safety as soon as possible.
Of course, that’s only if it’s safe to do so. You should never attempt to clean up floodwaters, shut off electricity, or even walk through standing water when you don’t know what’s causing it or whether the electrical supply has been affected. If you can prove that it is safe to do so, you can use the following tips for basement flood cleanup.
Who to Call
The first tip regards who you need to call if your basement floods. Your first two calls should be:
- A water restoration company that can assist with cleanup and damage repair, as well as a proper assessment. Note that most water damage services are available 24/7 for emergency situations.
- Your insurance company, to notify them of the flood and potential damage. You will want to ask if the incident is covered by your insurance.
Bear in mind that there are some instances that insurance won’t cover when it comes to a flooded basement. Instances such as water or sewer backup from faulty drains or floodwaters from a natural disaster may not. In many policies, flood insurance is a separate product that must be purchased in addition to standard insurance for the home.
What to Do
Once you’ve made your calls, if it’s safe to do so, you can try to start remediating the situation while you wait. If there is electricity running through the flooded area, don’t enter it until you have someone shut the power off. Then, make sure that the water has stopped and start removing the excess. This may require the purchase of a new sump pump or similar pump to assist with removal. Also, towels and mops may be needed to clean the floor once the standing water is gone.
You’ll also want to check all the damage and remove any items that may be salvageable as soon as possible. This will ensure that you get the best chances of less long-term damage and a smaller repair bill.
Of course, if there are items that are damaged, you should throw them out. Unless it can be cleaned and sanitized to prevent any further damage or mold growth, it could be dangerous to try to keep flood-damaged items.
It Helps to Be Prepared
The biggest tip is to just be prepared and be smart about what you’re doing. When you aren’t sure how to proceed, call the water damage experts and get their assistance to get your basement cleaned, repaired and back in shape. And, do it sooner than later so that you don’t end up with a larger repair bill because you let the damage go for too long. If you keep these things in mind, you’ll have an easier time dealing with a basement flood.