So you have basement flooding cleanup issues and you aren’t sure what to do next? Don’t worry it happens to the best of us, unless of course you live in the desert. A flooded basement can cause quite a number of problems so you don’t just want to sit on this and not do anything about it. What exactly can you do about it? Let’s break it up in to two groups: prevention and cleanup.

Basement Flooding Prevention

If you think you’re in an area where your basement could get flooded (and don’t fool yourself most of us non-desert dwellers could have flood problems) then there are a few steps you should take to save yourself some frustration and expense.

First, go out and clean out those gutters you’ve been ignoring for all these months/years. Gutters are designed to move water away from your house and your foundation so when gutters get plugged up with leaves water doesn’t flow properly, causing it to drip off the side. All the water that drips off the side has to go somewhere so it leaks in to your basement by default. Cleaning out gutters is really easy and only takes an hour or so, stop being lazy and go do it.

Next, make sure your yard is landscaped so that water doesn’t pool in any areas, especially near the house. If you notice that after it rains you have puddles next to your foundation it is a great idea to go out and build up the top soil so the slope of the ground flows away from your house. This will go a long way to prevent standing water from ending up in your basement.

Then, buy some foundation waterproofing paint or have an expert put some on for you. Waterproofing paint (or drylock) goes on like regular paint but it absorbs any water in the foundation preventing it from seeping in to your basement. Don’t be stingy with it, apply a good coat and if necessary apply two coats. Basement flooding can be a major pain, so don’t find yourself in a bad spot because you didn’t want to spend $20 on another can of waterproofer.

Lastly, look in to installing a sump pump in your basement if you already don’t have one. A sump pump is a hole in the ground that collects flooded water in your basement. Once the water in the hole reaches a certain level it pumps the water out to a safe area. This can go a long way to solving any potential flooding problem you may have.

Basement Flooding Cleanup

So you may be reading this and you already have a flooded basement and you want to know what you should do. A flooded basement can cause all sorts of problems from rotted sheetrock, to damp insulation to weakened support beams so you want to take this flooding problem seriously.

First, make sure there are no electrical wires or outlets that could reach the flooded area. As you know water and electricity don’t mix so if you see any wiring coming in contact with flood damage then call a professional immediately and keep everyone away in the meantime. Don’t take chances here.

Next, get any items stored in your basement away from flooding. Fragile items and cardboard boxes can be damaged very easily by water so be sure to get them to higher ground. Even those durable items like plastic toys should be removed from the flooded area because if they are not cleaned properly mold and mildew will build up on them causing a health issue for you and your family. Also be sure to get any appliances up off the ground as well, cement blocks underneath work great in flood prone areas.

Then make sure the area is properly dried. This you may need to consult a professional on if the damage is too much to dry on your own. Professional flood contractors have fans and dehumidifiers that will dry the room out quickly and easily. Remember any water not dried out will turn to mold and mildew so you want to make sure you do it right.

Last, make sure everything is cleaned properly. Flood damage can cause a lot of health issues, not to mention unpleasant smells in your basement, so you want to make sure you clean as thoroughly as possible.

Bottom line basement flooding is a serious problem, so don’t take chances. If you can prevent it do so, but if you find yourself with a flooded basement, call a professional and breathe easy.

Original Article