Six Tips For Recovering From A Flooded Basement And Water Damage Cleanup
A flooded basement is an extremely common problem for homeowners in Cedar Rapids, IA. While employing the right prevention tactics will prevent the vast majority of basement floods, there’s still no guarantee. Thus, it’s important that you be prepared to respond to a flooded basement in the event it happens to you. Here are six tips on doing so from our water damage restoration pros at Challis Restoration.
Water Damage Restoration In Cedar Rapids
Do NOT Enter The Basement
Do not enter a flooded basement: There is a risk of electrocution if flood waters have not yet receded. You are also at risk of disease from waterborne pathogens. We recognize that it may be tempting to get right into the floodwater and begin working on repairing the problem. In most cases, this won’t lead to any harm for you. However, in the small percentage of cases that the floodwater is contaminated or an electrical current is running through the water, the last place you want to be is among the floodwater in your basement. It’s just not worth the risk.
Disconnect Utilities
Your electricity and gas lines pose serious hazards after a flood. Don’t risk the danger they can cause. As soon as you can safely do so, make sure you disconnect your utilities as soon as possible. This will help with the potential water damage and cleanup risks.
Remove Affected Items
Any items that have been affected by the flood, especially those that are porous or absorbent in nature, should be removed from your basement as soon as possible. If they remain in the flooded environment, they won’t be able to dry properly and may continue to take on even more damage.
Remove Standing Water
This one can almost go unsaid, but it’s so critical that it’s worth saying anyways. Every minute that standing water remains in your basement after a flood, the damage, your expenses, and the time needed for the restoration job gradually increase. Along with removing standing water, you also need to make sure that any remaining moisture that was absorbed into your home. This excess moisture can lead to mold growth and structural damage and other water damage cleanup issues, just like standing flood water can.
Rebuild and Move On
FEMA and the American Red Cross urge homeowners to incorporate flood-proofing techniques as they repair and rebuild their homes. After all, the time when you are dealing with the aftermath of a flood is the ideal time to do so. These techniques, according to the report, are inexpensive and can prevent or minimize future flood damage. Along with rebuilding, make sure you also move forward and put this disaster behind you as soon as possible so you can get on with the rest of your life.
Call For Cleanup Help
While there is a lot to do on your own to mitigate the effects of a flooded basement, your best bet for restoring your Cedar Rapids basement is calling a professional water damage cleanup company for help. Challis Restoration is one such company so don’t waste any time before giving us a call for help.