Picture this: you just woke up, you pour yourself your morning coffee, and head downstairs to check on last night’s laundry. There’s only one problem: you can’t check on the laundry because you’d be knee-deep in water. You realize you have a basement flood. That’s what happened to one of our clients. They called us early one morning informing us of their flood. One of the most important things to do is to call our water damage restoration experts, but here are some things we told them to do before we could arrive, if it was safe to do so.
So You’ve Had a Basement Flood
No matter the time of day, these are never fun problems to have. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to lessen the impact of the damage before we arrive:
After a Basement Flood
- Shut off the water source, if applicable – if the basement flood was caused by a clean-water tap left on overnight and there is no connecting electrical sources, turn off the valve if you can get to it safely. Note: only attempt this if there are no electricity issues.
- Figure out where the water came from if not the sink – This is optional, but it can help our professionals know where to start once they arrive. However, only attempt to figure out the water source if you can see it easily. You should never wade through flood water to find the cause, as the water may be contaminated.
- Do not touch anything unnecessarily – As mentioned, don’t go digging around in the water for the source or for belongings as the water may be contaminated. Also, stay away from any electricidal equipment, power outlets, or any home materials that could be damaged.
- Leave the basement – If many of your home’s materials have been compromised, it is safest to leave the basement until we arrive.
- Move any dry belongings upstairs – if it is safe for you to get any unaffected belongings, move them to a dry location, so they don’t get damaged if the water spreads.
- Take pictures of any damage – Again, only attempt to take pictures of damage if it is safe to do so. Any documentation you can gather will help with insurance claims later.
Why do I Need a Restoration Company?
To cut costs, you may be willing to forgo a restoration company. This is not something we would suggest, as recovering from a basement flood is not as easy as it may seem.
Firstly, as mentioned before, water may be contaminated. Dirty water from a failed sump pump, drains, or even broken laundry machine puts you at risk. If you are not wearing the proper PPE (personal protection equipment), any contact with the water could be hazardous.
Secondly, water does not like to stay put. If the basement flood happened overnight, or involves a bigger water damage event, chances are there is hidden water damage along with visible puddles. Water can easily seep under flooring and into walls, which is why pumping alone rarely solves the issue.
That is why our IICRC certified water restoration professionals are only one call away. Having helped property owners recover for over sixteen years, our experts have the knowledge and training it takes to handle your water damage event. Our experts will leave your house to looking and smelling brand new. They are equipped with industry standard techniques, state-of-the-art restoration tools, and proper PPE so they can start solving your problem as soon as you call.
If you or someone you know has had a basement flood, call Puroclean at 732-366-9300 or fill out our contact form today.
