If you live in Minnesota, you’ll know that flooding is a very real risk. Since 1851, the Mississippi River has flooded more than 140 times. Extreme rain events are becoming more common, meaning that people’s homes are at risk. Flooding in basements, in particular, can be a devastating experience, causing extensive damage to your property, furniture, and personal belongings.
If your area has experienced a flash flood and your basement has been affected, you need to assess the situation, and then take immediate action to prevent further damage. Here are the steps you need to take to properly manage the aftermath of a flooded basement.
Safety First – Do Not Enter the Basement
Before you do anything, know that entering a basement after it has flooded can be extremely dangerous. Not only will there be property damage and a risk of falling debris, but there is also a very real risk of electrocution if water has come into contact with your electrical outlets. The first thing you must do is shut off the power supply if your circuit breaker is located somewhere other than the basement.
Call a Professional to Help Remove the Water
Next, you will obviously need to remove the water if it is safe to do so. If the flooding is only an inch or two, you can handle this with a wet/dry vacuum or a rented pump. However, if there is a couple of feet of water or more, you’ll need the contact numbers of a few reputable water damage companies on hand to help get the job done safely and efficiently. Contacting a professional is a wise idea since they can ensure your basement is properly dried out using proper ventilation and dehumidifiers, and they can also make sure any risk of mold developing is eliminated.
Salvage What You Can
Once you can safely get to your belongings, it’s a good idea to remove them from the basement and allow them to completely dry somewhere safe, like your garage or shed. If you find items that are no longer salvageable, make a list so that you can include them on your insurance claim. If you have carpet in your basement, this will more than likely need to be ripped out since the underlay will, unfortunately, be ruined beyond repair.
If you have stored any important documents in your basement, it is advisable to freeze them as soon as possible. You might assume that using a hair dryer or putting them in front of a heater is a good idea, but the latest advice is to ‘keep them cool’. Freezing them will remove water, reduce the risk of mold growth, and prevent further deterioration.
Look at Flood Prevention Measures
The last thing you want is to take all these steps only to face yet another flood in the near future. Instead, it’s a good idea to look at how you can prevent your basement from flooding when you next experience heavy rainfall. Consider getting an expert to find and repair any cracks in the foundation and install or upgrade your current sump pump.
If your basement has flooded, make sure you know how to deal with it safely and efficiently.
