A Guide to Dealing with a Flooded Basement

We wish it were as easy as building an arc and sailing off, but the flood we’re talking about here is different—besides, it isn’t easy building an arc these days. Experiencing flooding in any area of your house can be unnerving, but when it’s the basement, it’s even worse.

Here are our top tips on what to do immediately after your basement floods:

Don’t Enter It

Flooded basements are a popular trope in horror and slasher movies. Whether it’s the basement scene in the scary clown thriller, IT, or that scene from The Conjuring, flooded basements are often portrayed as scary. That’s because they are—and not because some ghost is lurking in the waters.

A flooded basement is a serious threat to your family members. There is the danger of circuits and electrical appliances coming in contact with water, for example. Flooded basements are particularly dangerous for kids. The two things that should be on top of your list during a basement flood are: keep the kids away and cut off the power to your house.

Get the Water Out

As best as you can, start clearing out the water. Drain the water using a sump pump. You’ll need lots of mops and towels to finish off the job. You can only inspect the extent of the damage once you’ve cleared the area of water.

However, it’s best not to attempt clearing the water if it reaches higher than two feet. Call your insurance restoration company to help deal with it and do it soon, since the longer your basement stays flooded, the higher the chances for mold to grow.

Out with the Wet

Don’t leave any damp objects behind in the basement. They facilitate humidity and encourage mold growth, which greatly damages the property and can produce a compound effect on restoration costs. Bookcases, sofas, carpets—remove everything that got wet in the slightest. Carpets and padding need to be ripped out and replaced in case of a flood.

Get it Thoroughly Dry

Since there are no ventilation sources in a basement, you’ll need mechanical help to dry the area out. You’ll need fans, blowers and dehumidifiers. This helps reduce humidity and prevents the growth of mold in the area.

Call an Insurance Restoration Company

Check the growth of mold before it begins damaging your property. If you’re in the Regina area, deal better with a flood by getting in touch with us here at Oakridge Remodeling. Give us a call at 1-306-993-1170; we’ll help you surf the waters with ease.