It is never fun to deal with basement floods. Whether it’s a result of heavy rains, a busted pipe, or a drainage issue, the sight of a flooding basement can trigger panic! But you don’t need to panic! Here’s a super-easy, step-by-step guide to what to do immediately after experiencing a home flood emergency. Continue reading the article and know more about it.

Step 1: Stay Safe First

Before you dive into the water (literally), it’s essential to ensure it’s safe. If you have quite a bit of standing water, cut off electricity to that part of the house. You do not want to risk electrocuting yourself in the basement! If you cannot safely turn off the power, wait until you have help. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry.

Step 2: Find the Source of the Water

Is the water coming from a broken pipe? Heavy rainfall? Clogged drain? Knowing where the water is coming from means you can stop it or at least explain it clearly when you call for help. If it is still raining or the pipe is still leaking, do what you can to limit the flow. You could even just throw a few towels down or fill a few buckets.

Step 3: Call a Water Restoration Company

Whenever possible, contact any local water restoration companies. They have the right equipment and expertise to make sure the water is safely removed and the area is dried, with no secondary issues such as possible mold. Timing is everything here; the sooner they get there, the less likely the damage will be.

Step 4: Start Water Mitigation

Water mitigation is just an industry term for reducing the devastation water can cause. While you’re waiting for the professionals, try to remove as much water as possible. Use a wet/dry vac if you have one. Don’t have a vac? Use mops or buckets. Move any furniture or rugs, or anything that could be damaged, into a dry area next.

Step 5: Begin Basement Flood Clean-Up

Once the water is out, it’s time to put in some elbow grease. Basement flood cleanup can be nasty work, but it’s important work. First, you need to get rid of any soaked carpets or contaminated items. They can become havens for mold. Then, turn on the fans and dehumidifier, and if it’s not raining, open the windows to assist with drying out the space.

Step 6: Sanitize Everything

Floodwater, especially when it’s from outside and/or a sewer backup, clearly has lots of bacteria and other nasty things. Once the surfaces are dry, be sure to scrub them with a disinfectant cleaner. Clean all surfaces that were touched by floodwater, including walls, floors, and anything in contact with floodwater. Making sure your home is clean will help prevent any issues and give a fresh, clean smell.

Step 7: Call Your Insurance Company

After the mess has settled down, contact your insurance provider to make a storm damage report. They will provide you with the steps to take, including what may or may not be covered by your policy, and possibly the claim process. Be sure to take pictures before and during the flooding and the clean-up process, as this could help in your case.

Step 8: Think Long-Term

Once everything has been cleaned up and taken care of, you’ll have to think about how to prevent this from happening again. It would be wise to ask your water restoration company if there are waterproofing options, better drainage systems, or sump pumps available to prevent another flood and avoid a basement issue. It will likely be worth your time and effort to spend a few bucks to prevent another home flood emergency.

Final Thoughts

While a flooded basement feels hard to deal with, following this step-by-step guide, you can take it progressively and intelligently. By acting quickly, calling the right water restoration companies, performing proper water mitigation, and finishing the proper basement flood clean up, you can put your home back to the way it should be quickly.