As soon as you notice a basement flood, you should be thinking about flooded basement cleanup.
98% of US basements are likely to experience water damage at some point in their lifespan. If you’re a homeowner, you should have a plan in place for when the flood inevitably does happen. The longer you leave basement floods, the worse the damage becomes.
There’s nothing fun about water cleanup in a basement, but being proactive and having the right team on your side can help you avoid the worst of it. In this post, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about cleaning up a flooded basement.
Water damage can pose countless risks to your health and your home’s structure. Keep reading and learn all about dealing with your flooded basement.
Safety First
You never want to enter a flooded basement without the proper safety equipment. In reality, if you’re unsure of what you’re going to find in your flooded basement, your best bet is to contact a professional right away.
For more manageable basement floods, you can take the first steps to mitigate damages. Check how deep the water is and whether it’s reached any electrical outlets or wiring.
Shut Off Power
If you discover that the water has indeed come into contact with electrical wiring, you need to contact a professional. It’s also possible that the water could have put out the pilot light on your furnace, which means you’ll have to contact the gas company to shut off your gas supply as well.
You should always turn your electrical breaker off when you discover a flood. If you come into contact with water that’s electrified, you could be in for a potentially deadly shock, in addition to the fire risk that damaged wires can pose.
Locate the Source of the Flooding
In the event that you’re able to turn off the power and enter the flooded basement on your own, you can attempt to locate the source of the flooding. Basement leaks are common, especially in areas that experience frequent natural disasters or even just a lot of rain.
That said, a burst pipe, broken appliance, or overflowing bathtub could be the source of your leak as well. If you can locate it and put a stop to it, you’ll be in good shape for when the water extraction team comes in. If you can’t locate it, you need to call in the pros as soon as you possibly can.
Get Professional Basement Cleaning
Unless the flooding is truly manageable, you should never attempt to deal with a flooded basement on your own. There’s a lot you have to think about and deal with in the aftermath of the flood, so it’s always best to get professional basement cleaning.
With a quality cleaning service doing the work, you won’t have to worry as much about the long-term damage to your basement and home. At The CleanUP Guys, we’ve got highly trained cleaners and all of the necessary equipment to perform water extraction and dry out a basement.
This is a heavy-duty process that can take days from start to finish. If you attempt to do this alone to save a buck, you could end up with far worse damage down the road. Check out our website to learn more about our services and rates.
Contact Your Insurer
In the midst of all of flood damage recovery, it’s easy to forget about the logistical side of things. Your insurance company needs to know about the type of flooding that you’re dealing with and the extent of the damage.
So long as you’ve got flood insurance, there’s a good chance you’ll have at least some of the damages to your home covered. When you contact your insurer, they’re probably going to ask you for photographic evidence of the damage. Make sure to take lots of pictures of the flooding before it’s cleaned up.
Pumping Water Out
When we arrive at the scene, we’ll pump out the water using heavy-duty equipment. Once the water is fully removed, the basement will have to be dried out using fans and dehumidifiers. If you leave any moisture, you’re going to be at major risk of developing mold and mildew.
If any water got in behind the walls or underneath the floors, that’ll have to be drained and dried as well. You can’t spare any effort to completely dry out your basement or it could come back to haunt you.
Remove Compromised Materials
Any porous materials that were sitting in your basement, like rugs or furniture, should be pulled out. You can attempt to dry these things as well, but there’s a good chance that some of them will be too water-logged to salvage.
Even your drywall may have to be replaced. It’s important to look behind the walls to assess the damage there in addition to the areas you can easily see. You have to throw away these contaminated items so that bacteria don’t turn into a mold and mildew problem after the remediation team has left.
Flooded Basement Cleanup
The final step in cleaning a basement is the actual cleaning process. Our basement cleaning services involve a thorough mixture of power-washing walls, hauling away junk, sanitizing all contaminated areas, wiping down walls, vacuuming hard-to-reach spaces, and so much more.
We’ll also repair any foundation cracks in the walls and floors, replace the drywall that’s been damaged, and fix all of the compromised lighting and plumbing. After we’re done, you’ll have your house back to normal again.
The CleanUP Guys Can Help
If you need flooded basement cleanup in the Chicago area, there’s only one service to call. The CleanUP Guys have been helping Chicagoland residents deal with water and fire damage for 25 years. With hundreds of satisfied customers under our belt, we’re confident we can restore your home back to normal.
Don’t wait to clean up your flooded basement, contact us today to schedule your emergency service.