Flooded Basement – What You Can Do When It Happens
A flooded basement can cause a lot of damage to your property and poses a serious health threat due the growth of mold. A wet, dark environment causes mold to develop and when a flooded basement isn’t dealt with effectively and immediately, mold flourishes.
The first thing you need to do when you have a flooded basement is assess the situation and take cautionary steps. Shut off the power. If your circuit breaker is not located in the basement, it could be in the garage or in a closet inside the home. If your circuit breaker is located in the basement you need to exercise extreme caution when you turn off the power. Any electrical appliances or devices could become dangerous if they come into contact with the water. If necessary, lay some boards or other non-conductive material across the area needed to walk on to avoid stepping into the water when there is risk of electrocution. If you cannot do this safely, then call the professionals.
Take a video or photos of the flooded basement, then file an insurance claim as quickly as possible. Areas that have been designated as in a flood plain should have flood insurance; if not, your homeowner’s policy may well cover the damages.
If you do not have coverage and do not want to pay out-of-pocket, you should begin immediately removing the water from the flooded basement in order to avoid further damage. Many homes have a sump pump that will help, but even a wet/dry vacuum or a pool pump can work. If nothing else, a mop and bucket will get it done if the water isn’t very deep. However, if there is a foot or more of water then it’s time to call the professionals, rather than trying to remove all the water as quickly as possible by yourself. It will be worth the cost
Do not leave any wet or soaked items – including furniture and electrical appliances – in the affected area. If the items might be salvageable take them outside or into a garage to dry out. Tear out the carpeting and padding and any loose surface floor coverings.
Once things from your flooded basement are cleared out you need to dry it out. You can buy or rent fans or even industrial blowers, and using a dehumidifier will help to remove excess moisture and help your basement dry faster, thereby minimizing the growth of mold. AAS Restoration can provide these items to restore your basement.
Thoroughly clean the walls with soap and warm water. In addition to using a dehumidifier and blowers, setting up a HEPA air purifier that filters out mold spores and allergens are very effective. Check the basement every day afterward and watch for any signs of mold. Clean any area that has mold with a bleach and warm water solution.
Once clean up is done, look for the cause of the flooded basement, if it isn’t obvious. Was it a storm with heavy rainfall, causing drainage from outside to come into the basement? Are there cracks in the foundation? Is the sump pump malfunctioning, and needs to be upgraded? Talk to the professionals at AAS Restoration to learn what you can do to update your basement, repair the foundation, or change your landscaping and guttering to prevent another flood. Take steps to avoid a flooded basement in the future.
Contact AAS Restoration at (816) 861-1550 and we will provide you with options for a flooded basement in Kansas City.
