What To Do When Your Basement Floods: 5 Tips
Most basement flooding is preventable, but because flooding can and does happen we’ve created this short list of what you must do if your basement floods:
- Shut off power before walking into water
- Wear protective gear such as tall rain boots and gloves
- Shut off water, if the flood is due to plumbing
- Remove water, using a sump pump, wet vacuum, or mop and bucket
- Begin clean up
Don’t worry – if these steps seem overwhelming or are too much for you to handle yourself, an experienced professional can help you.
Cleaning Up After a Basement Flood
People commonly use their basements for storage, and if the basement is finished, they use their basements as living space. Regardless, it is important to move all of the storage boxes and other basement contents to a dry, ventilated space so that everything can dry out for several days. If there is any wet carpet, it will have to be removed so that mold will not grow underneath. Failure to do this will keep you from thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the space and will result in a musty smell.
To sanitize the space once everything is removed, wash down floors and walls and remove any wet drywall and insulation to prevent mold and mildew. When the basement is dry, use anti-mildrew spray. Again, if this seems like too much to take on yourself, a professional will help.
Your Basement Flooded and You’ve Cleaned Up – Now What?
What Will Insurance Cover When My Basement Floods?
After you’ve taken the steps above, you should then consider whether you can file a homeowner’s insurance claim. Whether the flood damage is covered by your homeowner’s insurance or not will vary by policy and region of the country, so you should contact your insurance company when the flood occurs and discuss your coverage limits, deductible amount, and claim procedures. It is important to take pictures of the basement flooded and as you clean up, as well as of any items that you must discard because they have been damaged beyond repair.
How Can I Repair My Basement?
Likely new floor coverings and new drywall and insulation will be needed, but prior to restoring the basement you should consult with a waterproofing company to ensure that you are doing everything you can to prevent flooding in the future. It is especially important to remove and remediate any mold, which if not removed is a significant health risk.
Basements can flood for a number of reasons:
- Broken plumbing
- Basement windows leaking
- Water coming from the foundation or floor due to poor drainage
- Pool drain issues
- Sewer backup
- Area flood disaster
- No French Drains
In much of New Jersey and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, wet basements are a common problem because the ground water level can be high. You can read more about the causes and effects of a high water table and how French Drains can help here.
Flood Prevention – How To Keep Water Out of Your Basement
What Can I Do to Prevent Basement Flooding?
As a homeowner, you can take the following steps yourself to be proactive and help prevent most flooding:
- Clean your gutters
- Direct downspouts away from the house
- Seal basement windows
- Grade your yard away from your foundation
Why Do I Need a Professional Basement Waterproofing Company?
Your local waterproofing company can help you with clean up and repair after a flood, and by assessing the risk of more flooding and taking steps to prevent flooding in the future. Dry Basement Solutions is your full-service basement company: we can install interior French Drains or other exterior drainage systems, install vapor barriers, install sump pumps, and repair and waterproof your basement floor and foundation, and you can find out how much it will cost free of charge.
Whether you own a home in New Jersey or in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and whether you’ve just had a basement flood or want to know how to prevent flooding in the future, we can help you. Contact us to schedule your free estimate today.
It’s good that you mentioned how you should consider what your insurance will cover when your basement floods. My basement has recently flooded, and I need help repairing the damages. I’ll look for a water damage restoration service as soon as possible.