Dealing With a Basement Flood

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

A basement flood is a common issue in Emporia, VA. Call SERVPRO to get help!

Flooding in the basement is a common issue that homeowners have to deal with. The excess water can come from a storm, a broken pipe, a leaking washer, or any other sources. The good news is that you don't have to handle it alone. SERVPRO of Emporia, VA, is Here to Help.

Steps To Deal With a Basement Flood.

Put Safety First

The first thing you need to consider when you discover a basement flood is the safety of you and your family. There are a few tips to keep in mind with standing water:

Shut off the power. The first thing you need to do is shut off all electricity or other power sources in the basement. This keeps the water from accidentally coming into contact with live wires or outlets.

Wear protective gear. You may need to enter the water to save a valuable item or investigate the problem, but you should never do so without the proper protective equipment. Wear rubber boots, gloves, and a face mask if you must wade into the water.

Find the source. The contamination level of the water depends mainly on where it comes from. Try to determine whether the problem is the result of a busted pipe, storm flooding, or sewer backup.

Call SERVPRO

After a quick assessment of the issue, it's time to call in the professionals. Many insurance providers list SERVPRO as a preferred vendor for residential mitigation and restoration services due to its 24-hour emergency response. When you have several inches of water in your basement, you don't have time to wait for technicians who drag their feet getting to you.

The SERVPRO team arrives within hours of your call to remove the excess water and assess the damage it leaves behind. Soon afterward, the assessment is uploaded to the Claims Information Center where you can have full access to the itemized details, estimate, and progress of the cleanup process.

Increase Airflow

Excess water and the humidity it generates can lead to secondary damage to your basement. To minimize your risk, increase airflow to the area. Industrial fans help dry out materials, thus helping to prevent mold. If your basement has windows, leave them cracked to create a cross breeze through the room.

Prevent Future Flooding

Once the water damage is repaired and your basement is restored to its former state, there are some precautions you can take to prevent the problem from happening again. Make sure your basement is properly sealed from the outside so that any water that happens to pool around the foundation can't get in. Clear gutters and downspouts so that rain is directed away from your home. Confirm that any necessary pipe repair is complete before you turn the water back on. Finally, consider installing a sump pump in your basement.

Flooding in your basement may occur from time to time, particularly if you live in a flood plain. You don't have to tackle such a huge problem all by yourself, though. Call SERVPRO when you need help removing water, mitigating the damage it causes, and rebuilding the structure of the basement.