3 Steps To Take Before Restoring Your Basement After a Flood

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

Dealing with flooding in a basement can be a long process because drying the area out may take several weeks.

Flooding water in a basement is often more difficult to clean than any other type of flood. That is because water levels can continue to rise to dangerous heights, as there is no door to open to let the water rush out. Additionally, the higher the liquid rises, the more the potential for hazards grows, including sewage, electric shock, and foundation damage.

Step 1 – Water Removal

Contact a professional water remediation service and request assistance to pump the water out as quickly as possible. Using a submersible pump or sump pump, the specialists can easily remove the water. This task is often more trouble than it may seem because the overflow can contain contaminates:

• Chemicals
• Bacteria
• Sewage
• Mold

Additional problems can arise if the basement flood water is a result of heavy rain, because the water-filled soil outside your home may be exerting pressure on the basement walls. Special care should be taken to remove the water to prevent the walls from cracking. If the flooding water comes from a broken pipe, the water service team can also perform pipe repair and check surrounding pipes for weaknesses.

Step 2 – Area Cleanup

Dirt and debris often come with flood waters. Large deposits of silt and mud may collect in the basement that must be manually removed. As with any flood debris, there may be health risks such as dangerous mold associated with the cleanup effort. It is best left to the trained professionals.

Step 3 – Sanitizing Everything

Before rebuilding begins, the area requires sanitizing. Disinfecting can prevent mold and mildew from growing on the basement walls, as completely drying out cement, brick, and wood may take weeks or months. Sanitizing can also kill bacteria that may be left behind from the cleanup.

Dealing with flooding in a basement can be a long process because drying the area out may take several weeks. However, once restoration and rebuilding begin, you can rest assured that by following these three simple steps, your home in Hopkinsville, KY, can be mold and bacteria-free. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROchristiantoddlogansimpsoncounties.com/.