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How to Cope With a Flooded Basement

How to Cope With a Flooded Basement

There is nothing worse than waking up to find water in your basement. Whether there’s an inch or a foot, it can make a big mess. If your basement takes on water, here are some tips to help you cope with the chaos.

Help for Basement Flooding

A plumber is your best bet if there’s only an inch or two of water in the basement. They can determine the source of the problem. It could be due to a broken pipe or a leaking water heater.

Call a licensed electrician if the water is high enough to reach electrical wiring or outlets. They can assess and repair the damage. Never use an electric tool or turn off the power while standing in water. Let an electrician do it for you.

If there’s significant damage to carpets or walls, contact a professional restoration service. They are experienced in handling water damage and repairs.

Causes of Basement Flooding

There are several ways water can get into a basement. Common causes include heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt, foundation cracks and broken windows, sump pump problems, and burst or leaking pipes. Poor-draining window wells, an overflowing toilet or bathtub, and a downward property slope can also contribute. Homes with older pipes and those near natural water sources are at higher risk of flooding.

Flooding Clean-Up Tips

If your basement floods, here are some steps to take to help clean it up.

Find the leak location. If it’s due to heavy rain, you’ll need to wait until the storm passes to tackle the mess.

Call a pro. If you’re having trouble finding the leak, call a plumber or disaster restoration company.

Notify the insurance company. They will tell you what your policy covers and your out-of-pocket expenses.

Pump out the water. Do this with a pool pump, a wet vacuum, or a gas-powered water pump. Get rid of the water and dry out the area immediately. Mold can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours.

Take pictures. Photograph everything impacted by the aftermath of the flood. Videos are another useful tool you can use.

Toss items out. Throw out clothing, bedding, pillows, and perishable food that may attract mold.

Scrub the floor. One cup of chlorine bleach mixed with a gallon of water can be used to disinfect the flooring. The solution can be used to clean vinyl tile, linoleum, and other hard surfaces. Wear rubber gloves and protective eyewear while cleaning. Keep the area well ventilated.

Inspect gutters, drains, and downspouts. Get rid of leaves, twigs, and mud. Use a plunger or plumber’s snake to clear drains. Clean out gutters and downspouts on the outside of the house.

Freeze important papers. Put valuable documents and papers that are damp in the freezer. This can temporarily stop mold and mildew until you can attend to them.

Leave the Cleaning to Us

When it comes to water, flood, or fire damage, Flood Department is here to help. We provide water damage repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses. We cover Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the unfortunate results. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online.

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What To Do If My Business Floods

What To Do If My Business Floods

Have you ever asked yourself, what should i do if my business floods? Well, we ahve some valuable advice for you that can certainly help.

When we think of flooding, pictures of homes and the people who live in them often come to mind. However, businesses can also be devastated by the impact of high water. Here’s how to cope if your operation is struck by flood waters.

Preparing for a Flood

Flooding can occur anytime and anywhere. The best defense is to be prepared for a flood emergency.

Get flood insurance. You will need it. Keep in mind that it typically takes 30 days for an insurance policy to kick in. Check out the National Flood Insurance Program webpage for more information.

Have a business continuity plan. You must have a plan of action in case of a flood emergency. If you already have one, get together the resources you need to secure business operations. If you don’t, you’ll need to get a business impact analysis (BIA) done. This predicts how a disruption will likely impact the way your business functions and what recovery strategies are needed.

How to Handle a Flood

Here are some necessary steps you need to take if your business is hit with flood waters.

Reach out to employees, customers, and suppliers. Communication with these major players is vital to your business success.

Contact your insurance agent to start your flood insurance claim. Have your policy number and a phone number or email address where you can be reached.

Turn off the utilities. The services at the flood site need to be temporarily shut down. This will save you money as you won’t be using them. Turn the utilities back on when your business is ready to re-open.

Surveying Flood Damage

Always keep safety in mind while inspecting your property following a flood disaster. Never enter a flooded area where standing water may be energized. Use caution when re-entering buildings as there may be structural damage. Have a safety assessment done first. When it’s safe, go back inside and survey the damage. Determine what can be salvaged and how long recovery efforts might take. Begin the recovery process for documents and records. Start cleaning up.

Recovering from a Flood

Now it’s time to record the financial losses your property suffered. Here are a few key steps to follow.

Take inventory. Document all of the items that are missing or damaged. Snap Pictures. Take photos of everything inside and outside your property. Keep receipts. Record any expenses you incurred to temporarily protect your property from further damage. Make a claim. Follow the claims filing procedure in your insurance policy.

How to Flood-Proof Your Property

You can take measures to prevent future flood disasters from striking your property.

First, determine your base flood elevation, or BFE. This is the height that best reduces the chance your property will be damaged by flooding. Buildings should be at least three feet above the BFE.

Landscape with native plants and vegetation. This can help prevent soil erosion and allow flood waters to properly drain.

Raise electric components. Have a licensed electrician install switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring at least 12 inches above your BFE. Move HVAC equipment to an upper floor or build a flood proof wall around it.

Use flood resistant materials. These include floor and wall coverings and insulation. Most of these can handle direct contact with water for at least 72 hours.

Have backup power. Have a system in place to power vital equipment to keep your business running.

Let Us Handle the Mess

When it comes to water, flood, or fire damage, Flood Department is here to help. We provide water damage repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses. We cover Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the unfortunate results. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online.