3 Steps to Recover from a Flooded Basement

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Drying flooded area in a basement in Bearden, TN.

Three Steps to Get Rid of a Flooded Basement

When you arrive at your Bearden, TN, property and discover a basement flood, immediate action increases the chances of minimizing the loss. After calling your insurance provider to file a claim for insurance coverage, the next call should be to a water damage restoration company. As you wait for help to arrive, take the following steps to minimize the loss.

1. Start Extracting the Water
The most important step is to start removing the water. The longer it sits, the increased odds of secondary damage, such as mold. Different methods may be used to start this process, such as using a wet-dry vacuum and mops, but it may be worth investing in renting an industrial-grade pump to speed up the process.

2. Dry Flooded Area
Basements are often damp places to begin with, which means it is an area of your property prone to mold growth. When you have a basement flood, a standard fan likely won’t do much. Along with using industrial fans and blowers, dehumidifiers should be used to extract water molecules from the air to prevent mold growth.

3. Remove Waterlogged Items
A key to the basement properly drying is removing any items that are waterlogged. In some cases, this may require removing carpeting and furniture. Any items that are removed should be taken to a safe, dry location to properly dry out. While not everything may be salvageable, a restoration company may be able to clean and restore more of your belongings than originally thought, such as documents, artwork and electronics.
A basement flood should never be ignored. As the water sits, it means the potential for secondary damage. After making the necessary calls to get the property back to “Like it never even happened,” the three steps above give you a headstart to recovering as fast as possible.