What To Do After Your Basement Floods

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

The lower-lying floors of any building are going to be in danger when a flooding event of any kind occurs, and unfortunately, that will often be your basement - the space most of us use to store personal belongings. It’s also the place many of us don’t go that often, so if flooding does occur there it can go unnoticed for some time, and that can create even more issues, such as mold, mildew, or structural damage. Here at SERVPRO, we care about you and your home or business, so today we’re going to share some tips that can help you to know what to do after your basement floods: 

Safety

Make sure the area is safe, first and foremost. If you discover a large amount of standing water, call the local power company, electrician, and/or your professional water damage cleanup team immediately to first ensure that all structural elements, wiring, and electrical outlets, etc. are not compromised, and secondly to begin safe water removal processes. Professionals will have the equipment and knowledge that is required to handle your situation properly and each trade will be able to determine the best, and safest, steps to take in beginning the cleanup process without increasing the risk of accident or injury.

DIY

There are some steps you can take yourself to begin to recover from your basement floodings, such as the use of a dehumidifier or fans to circulate air and will begin the drying process, which discourages mold growth and mildew. You will want to plug it in above the stairs and direct it towards the basement. Air conditioning can be a big help here, as well, so it should stay running throughout the building on every floor; leaving doors open between rooms and to the basement is yet another helpful step. In the flooded basement, ensure that no one uses electricity. 

Cleaning

You can clean surfaces with a solution of one cup bleach to one gallon of water to discourage mold from gaining a foothold; be sure to do this while wearing gloves and protective eyewear. Keeping the room ventilated while you are doing tasks that involve cleaning solutions will guard against injury. As you are cleaning up you may find valuable documents and papers that have been affected. You can save paper items by placing them in the freezer if they have been soaked; this can often stop the growth of mildew or deterioration. SERVPRO also offers services that can recover and restore vital documentation from water damage. 

Here at SERVPRO of Huron and East Seneca Counties, we are always ready to help whenever you are dealing with water damage and fire damage, and we are mold remediation specialists, too. We handle large cleanup projects for commercial business owners and smaller projects for area homeowners, and we can get your premises Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned! This franchise is independently owned and operated.