It may sound impossible, but it’s true: of all home with basements, over 98% will experience some type of water damage. That means that all homeowners should inform themselves of the safest and most efficient ways to repair the flooded area and salvage your belongings. Even if you’ve taken measures to waterproof your basement, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is risk-free. Submersible sump pumps last five to 15 years, and you can never be sure when an accident can cause the same disastrous results. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about dealing with flood damage.
Check For Safety
Before entering the flooded area, try to see if your circuit breaker is accessible. If you can reach it without entering the flooded area, turn it off and disconnect the power. This helps to ensure you don’t have the risk of electrocution after entering the area. If you can’t access your circuit breaker, call a flood damage professional.
Dry Your Basement
To help keep costs down, the first thing you need to do is dry out the basement. Experts say you should clean up your home and dry it out thoroughly and quickly (within 24 to 48 hours) after the water damage hits in order to prevent mold growth. Make sure to remove any organic items such as bedding, towels, and upholstery that have been damaged by the basement flood. If they don’t dry within 48 hours, throw them away because they’ll start to mold.
Call the Experts
Finally, if you have flood insurance, call your insurance provider. They can help walk you through the next steps of the process so that your home and your life can return to normal as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Ultimately, understanding these steps to take after water damage can help keep you safe and protect your property.
