Important Tips When Dealing With A Flooded Basement

Being confronted with a flooded basement when you arrive home, or feeling powerless to stop the flood waters from submerging the basement is something that many people will find massively frustrating.  And getting on with the drainage and cleaning process will be at the forefront of their minds as they look to get back to normality.  However, flood water cannot be treated in the same way as clean water, and there are a number of things that will be very important in dealing with the aftermath of a flooded basement, which can make a big difference in actually successfully getting things back to how they were.

One of the biggest things that must be remembered when dealing with a flooded basement is to be very cautious in coming into contact with the water, as it will often have elements of sewage in it, and will usually be very dirty water that can carry bacteria and many other horrible germs that can cause different diseases.  Of course, people will want to get on with the drainage of that flooded basement so that they can get on with actually cleaning up, but even getting a small amount of the water into the body can be very dangerous, and it is vital to wash thoroughly after coming into contact with flood water.

Another important tip for people dealing with a flooded basement if they are hoping to salvage something from the basement is to get it dried as quickly as possible.  Although fabrics and carpets can recover from flood damage, it is vital to clean and shampoo them quickly, and then to dry them, which can hopefully mean they are still usable.  However, the problem with a flooded basement is that items will usually have been submerged for some time in the flood water, and even if it is dried out, the water will have permeated everything, and it may retain an odor regardless of how many times it is cleaned.

When it comes to the aftermath of a flooded basement, the most important thing of all is to make sure that everything is fully dried out before starting on any repairs.  And especially in the case of wood and plaster, the fact that it can be dry to the touch will not necessarily mean that it is dry the whole way through.  This is very important, as carrying out repairs too early can actually mean that when more of the water retained in the surface will seep out and ruin the work carried out in repairs and getting things back to working order.

Dealing with a flooded basement isn’t pleasant for anyone, but for those who have no knowledge of what is required and aren’t getting any support from an insurance company, speaking with a professional who will know all of the effects that can be seen from a flooded basement is very important.  It isn’t difficult to get the right advice, but without it, what may have seemed like a simple flooded basement can quickly become something a lot more serious.