Flooding in your home is a stressful situation, but regardless of whether the basement flooding is caused by heavy rainfall, burst plumbing or a malfunctioning sump pump, you should stay calm and begin resolving the problem immediately to prevent lasting and costly damages. When your basement is flooding, follow these steps to quickly, safely and effectively manage the flooding and clean up the aftermath.
Shut off the Power
To best manage the effects of flooding, you must first ensure the basement is safe to enter. Before maneuvering through your flooded basement, turn off any electricity to avoid shocks. After shutting off the electricity, you’re safe to go into the space. If you cannot access the power without walking through standing water, call a professional from the electric company to shut off the power and another expert to immediately begin pumping out the water.
Locate the Source
Once you’ve safely turned off power to the area, identify why your basement is flooding and determine if you can stop the water flow. If you cannot stop the basement flooding, then locate where the water is coming from so that you can quickly inform the plumbing company. Commonly, basement flooding is caused by heavy storms — with excess moisture entering through walls, flooring, windows or the foundation — clogged drains, broken sump pumps and leaking appliances.
Remove Personal Belongings
To minimize property damages, unplug electronics, and begin moving items like important documents and irreplaceable family keepsakes to higher ground. While performing this step, make sure to wear rubber boots and gloves for personal protection in case the water is contaminated.
Extract Standing Water
With any type of basement flooding, it’s important to begin removing the excess water to avoid structural damages and mold growth. If the flooding is shallow, start absorbing the water with towels and mops. For deeper flooding — about two inches — rent or purchase a submersible pump or wet/dry shop vacuum. To speed up the drying process, open any basement windows, and run fans to help the moisture escape.
Begin Cleaning the Area
After the cause of the basement flooding has been repaired and thoroughly dried, you can begin cleaning the area. Remove and toss any ruined items like upholstered furniture, drenched carpets and rugs and any electronics that came into contact with the flooding. Finally, you can scrub walls and flooring with warm water and bleach to disinfect the area.
Trust Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse After a Flood
If your home incurs unexpected basement flooding, call the professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing to inspect the cause and make fast, reliable repairs. We understand how crucial it is to act quickly to reduce costly damages and inconveniences. For our customer’s convenience, we offer fair, upfront pricing estimates and no overtime charges. After a flood, reach out to the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing by calling us at 315-472-1203, or complete our online contact form.