A flooded basement is one of the most stressful and expensive home disasters you can experience as a homeowner. Beyond dealing with basement water damage, you have to clean up the messy aftermath and sort through all your damaged belongings, and you have to move quickly before mold and mildew start to grow.

Whether you're dealing with storm runoff, a sewage backup, or a burst pipe, knowing the right steps to take can help you minimize damage and speed up recovery. Here’s what to do right away and how to prevent future issues.

What to Do When Your Basement Floods

Here are some of the immediate steps you can take when your basement flooding:

Step 1: Stay Safe and Assess the Situation

When there is a flood in your basement, making sure you are safe should be your top concern. Do not enter the water if it is on the floor of your basement, since it might have electrical currents, putting you in danger of a shock.

Should you be able to access your home’s electrical panel, turn off the power to the basement. In any other case, call a professional electrician before accessing the water.

Step 2: Find the Source of the Water

You should first determine the reason behind the water damage repair. Common criminals are:

●     If pipes burst or begin to leak

●     Foundation cracks

●     Brand-new cars may have drainage issues when faced with heavy rain or other types of flooding.

●     The wastewater coming back up into your home

In case of plumbing problems, cut off the main supply of water in your house. When sewers back up or your drains are blocked, emergency leak repair or professional teams for cleaning clogged tiles are necessary. Know that, if not handled soon, the cost to clean up a sewer backup cleanup can rise.

Step 3: Remove Standing Water

Having little time is a crucial concern. Start getting the water out of the house as soon as it’s hazard-free. When the mess is not big, you can use a mop or a wet/dry vacuum. When there is major flooding, you should either hire a water removal firm or turn on your sump pump. Remember, when your basement is flooded, you may need the help of water cleanup professionals to remove all the moisture.

Step 4:  Make sure the space is ventilated and dries out.

Since dampness can cause mold and mildew, it’s necessary to dry the area fast. Open your windows and doors to help circulate the air inside your home. Drying the area is faster when you use fans, dehumidifiers or heaters. Should drywall, insulation or carpet get soaked, they may have to be swapped during the water restoration cleanup process.

Step 5: Ensure your basement is cleaned and disinfected.

If floodwater comes from either outdoors or a sewage backup, it can bring bacteria, chemicals and various contaminants. After cleaning all surfaces and submerged things with soap and water, make sure to disinfect everything by spraying it with bleach or another household disinfectant.

When carpet, upholstery or cardboard boxes have been wet for too long, the safest thing to do is throw them out.

Step 6: Make Necessary Repairs

When everything is dry and clean, take stock of what should be fixed. The most common water damage repairs involve:

●     Filling in any cracks on the foundation

●     Removing old and worn-out drywall, insulation or flooring

●     Looking for any evidence of mold

When the damage is significant, contact a contractor or someone who specializes in cleaning up from water damage.

Handle flood basement with confidence.

From water cleanup to emergency leak repair, handling a basement flood requires swift action and the right help. Whether you need a professional water removal company or are calculating sewage backup cleanup costs, being proactive can protect your home and wallet.

Get a free quote today and find peace of mind knowing your covered items can be protected when unexpected breakdowns occur.