A flooded basement is an extremely common problem for homeowners. While employing the right prevention tactics will prevent the vast majority of basement floods, there’s still no guarantee. Thus, it’s important that you be prepared to respond to a flooded basement in the event it happens to you. Here are six tips on doing so from our water damage restoration pros at Courtesy Care in Tulsa.
Do not enter a flooded basement: There is a risk of electrocution if flood waters have not yet receded. You are also at risk of disease from waterborne pathogens. We recognize that it may be tempting to get right into the floodwater and begin working on repairing the problem. In most cases, this won’t lead to any harm for you. However, in the small percentage of cases that the floodwater is contaminated or an electrical current is running through the water, the last place you want to be is among the floodwater in your basement. It’s just not worth the risk.
Your electricity and gas lines pose serious hazards after a flood. Don’t risk the danger they can cause. As soon as you can safely do so, make sure you disconnect your utilities as soon as possible.
Any items that have been affected by the flood, especially those that are porous or absorbent in nature, should be removed from your basement as soon as possible. If they remain in the flooded environment, they won’t be able to dry properly and may continue to take on even more damage.
This one can almost go unsaid, but it’s so critical that it’s worth saying anyways. Every minute that standing water remains in your basement after a flood, the damage, your expenses, and the time needed for the restoration job gradually increase. Along with removing standing water, you also need to make sure that any remaining moisture that was absorbed into your home. This excess moisture can lead to mold growth and structural damage just like standing flood water can.
FEMA and the American Red Cross urge homeowners to incorporate flood-proofing techniques as they repair and rebuild their homes. After all, the time when you are dealing with the aftermath of a flood is the ideal time to do so. These techniques, according to the report, are inexpensive and can prevent or minimize future flood damage. Along with rebuilding, make sure you also move forward and put this disaster behind you as soon as possible so you can get on with the rest of your life.
While there is a lot to do on your own to mitigate the effects of a flooded basement, your best bet for restoring your basement is calling a professional water damage restoration company for help. We at Courtesy Care in Tulsa are one such company so don’t waste any time before giving us a call for help.
Please contact us by filling out the form below or give us a call at (877) 382-3900.
