Spring is approaching. Spring is the time for basement floods or water damage happens more frequently. Basement flood could give the homeowner with the sense of panic and helplessness. Unexpected water in the basement could easily damage the floors and walls. It is necessary to self-check to avoid any other damages to your basement. Most often the basement flooding is occurred due to the heavy rainfall, rapid snowfall, or any other natural calamities. Numerous reasons are seen for the basement flooding and it is necessary to handle each of the processes carefully. Flooding could occur due to the flow or seepage of water through the
- Foundation floor or walls
- Storm sewer backup
- From sanitary or any other surface water sources
Normally, the basements are prone to the flooding inherently as they are found in the lowest level of a building. Basements are built entirely or partly below the ground level. Gravity moves the water from the highest level to the lowest level. When the sewer level or groundwater level around the home increases above the basement floor, the gravity moves the water in the basement creating more damages. Crack in the foundation of the floor could provide the perfect path for pushing the basement in a massive way. Here are the lists of tips that are useful during the Basement Flooding:
- Don’t enter flooded area in basement
- Consult the qualified professionals immediately
- Consider the health and safety of your family
- It is hazardous to enter the wet basement and you need to consider the Electrical Shock risk. Turn off the power in your home when you are positive about the basement flooding.
- When the water level rises above the level of electrical outlets, furnace or baseboard heaters then do not enter the basement.
- Electricity could easily move through the wet flooring with causing the severe electrical shock.
- Consult the Electrical Safety Authority for getting the additional flood safety information
- Try not to over-analyze or over- estimate the situation when your basement is flooded
How To Keep Water From Damaging The Home’s Foundation?
Massive floods could damage the home and water will evaporate eventually but damages in the basement could ruin your home. When you find that your basement is flooded, immediately call the professionals for help. When the water is found several feet high above basement level or developing mold or mildew, it is a serious problem. Consulting the plumbing contractor, disaster restoration specialist, or basement waterproofing company could be the main option.
- Make sure to shut off whole power including electricity and gas
- Call qualified electrician
- Wear gloves and boots for protection to clean the basement
- Choose to wear protective mask
- Determine source of water leak
- Shut off water to your basement when burst pipe causes flood
- Start removing the flooded water from basement using the sump pump, mop, wet/dry vacuum, bucket or pool pump.
- Sump pumps work by sending water away after a flooding
- Move damaged items from basement to dry
- Inspect electronic devices carefully after the 48-hour period
- Don’t touch all the electrical items such as televisions, lamps or stereos even though electricity is disconnected.
- Refer the qualified or electrician repairman for determining amount of damage
- Consult the professional carpet cleaning contractor or the restoration specialist
- Carpeting must be taken out of basement and necessary to dry the carpeting
- Open windows and doors for providing the proper ventilation or you can place fan around the room to improve the air circulation for speeding the drying time.
- When you detect Gas leaks and odors, react immediately by turning them Off.
- You can call a basement remodeler or fix sealant or remodeler to assist when you find cracks or damages in the foundation.
