A flooded basement can happen to almost anybody, but if you live in a flood-risk area, your chances of having a flooded basement are higher than most. The best thing that you can do, of course, is to prevent flooding before it happens. However, if you already have standing water in the basement, you need to take specific steps. These steps will keep your family safe and prevent further damage to your home.
Get Away From the Water
First, get yourself and your family away from the water as quickly as possible. Small children may be fascinated by the accidental indoor swimming pool, so make sure that you explain that this water isn’t safe. Even if the water looks clear, it contains all sorts of debris and bacteria. Before the flood water reached your house, it may have taken a journey through your local sewer system. It picked up mud and maybe even gasoline along the way. If you have the option to stay at a friend’s house or a hotel room for a few days, you may want to consider taking the opportunity. Otherwise, stay on the upper floors as much as you possibly can.
Turn Off the Electricity
Once you’ve moved your pets and family away from the basement, turn off the electricity. Find your home’s service panel and flip the basement switch to the “off” side. If you don’t have a specific basement switch, you may have to turn off electricity to the entire house instead. It’s certainly not a convenient option, but it will protect you and your service providers from injury.
Drain and Dry
Next, you’ll need to get rid of the water in your flooded basement. You can use a submersible pump to drain the water yourself, or you can hire a professional to do the job instead. In either case, you need to work quickly. The longer the water sits, the greater the risk of mold and mildew damage. Remove all wet furnishings, carpets, etc. and dry entirely or dispose of water-damaged items.
Prevent a Flooded Basement
If you’ve already dealt with the hassle of a flooded basement, you’ll know how important it is to prevent this hassle in the future. Devooght House Lifters can help. We serve people who live in high flood-risk areas. We can elevate homes to keep floodwater out of the main living areas. If you’re ready to keep your home safe and dry, contact Devooght House Lifters today.