Steps to take when your basement is flooded.

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Prevent basement flooding.

A flooded basement is no small risk. Even one inch of flooded basement in a 1,000 square foot home can cause $10,000 in damage. Six inches of water can easily double that cost. If you come down the stairs to find water in your basement, here's what to do. Dangers of a flooded basement Be careful before charging in a damp basement. There are some risks you should check for: Electric shock: Loose wires can conduct electricity through water. Turn off the circuit breakers in your home before entering the water. Gas Leaks: Problems in your basement can lead to gas leaks. If you smell gas, leave your home and contact your gas company. Sewers: If your flood is a sewer leak, be careful before entering the water. Wastewater can contain disease-carrying bacteria. Use protective equipment such as suits, gloves, safety glasses and face masks. And be prepared to call in the professionals If the flood is caused by a water pipe If your basement is flooded with water pipes, it falls into two different categories. Leaks will fill your basement with cleaner, mostly clean water. If you see this, try to get to the water supply and turn it off. Another type of pipe flooding is a sewer backup in your basement. Just smell it and you know if it's not coming from the sewer. If this is the case, then you don't want to use anything that uses drain. Do not flush down the toilet, washing machine, dishwasher or anything else. This will only increase the dirt backup in your basement. If you have a sewer backup in your basement, be sure to call your local utility company as soon as possible to report it. If the leak is outside your home Flooding, rain, snow or inclement weather can easily lead to basement flooding if it is not properly waterproofed. In this case, try to find the source of the leak as soon as possible. It could be something as simple as a leaking window opening or as complex as a foundation leak. If you can't find the leak easily, call the professionals. Call your insurance company Different insurance companies deal with flood damage differently. When you call to make a claim, your insurance company will go over all cleaning procedures, specific contractors to use, and other information.