Wet basements are a nightmare to deal with. The situation is even worse when you have to deal with them during a storm. There are many reasons why your basement is flooding during a rainstorm. If you find yourself in this situation, stay calm and apply these tips.
- Turn off the power
This is the first thing you should do to ensure that the space is safe. Turn off the gas too to avoid leaks and explosions. Be sure to turn the power off at the mains in case of exposed wires. If you’re not sure about how this is done, get in touch with an electrician to help you.
- Wait the storm out
Don’t attempt to clean the basement while the storm is still on. Wait until it passes to begin the cleanup process. You should also turn off your water supply just in case a burst pipe is contributing to the flooding.
- Wear protective clothing
It may be your basement, but you have no idea what is in the water after a flood. The water could be contaminated with sewage water. It is therefore best to wear protective clothing including boots and rubber gloves. This will also help when moving around as the floor could be slippery.
- Check your drains
Do you have a floor drain in your basement? It may be that the drain was obstructed and this is the reason that the basement is flooding. Simply removing the obstruction could help you drain the basement much faster.
- Get the water out
If you don’t have a drain in the basement, you’ll have to seek an alternative way to get the water out of the basement. If the flooding is more than a few inches, a sump pump or pool pump would be ideal. If the water is not too much, you may choose to use a wet vacuum or mop to get rid of it.
- Remove items from basement
It is important to remove all items from the basement. This will allow the basement to dry out. It will also allow your property to dry. You may be able to salvage some of your property even after a flood.
- Keep the area ventilated
Ensure that the space remains well ventilated to aid in drying out. Keep windows and doors open. This will help to prevent mold infestations.
Call a waterproofing contractor as soon as possible to assess the damage and determine how to prevent future flooding.
Ohio State Waterproofing has provided quality service with over 80,000 successful waterproofing and foundation repair installations and satisfied customers since our inception in 1978.
Ohio State Waterproofing’s philosophy for success is to provide honest, courteous and guaranteed service to every customer. Our reputation reflects this. Our well-trained waterproofing technicians are dedicated to complete customer satisfaction. This is achieved through fast, efficient processes as well as teamwork throughout this organization. You will always find a friendly representative willing to meet your needs at Ohio State Waterproofing.
We are a full service company that handles problems ranging from patching cracks to rebuilding basements. In addition, we hold three patents related to waterproofing that make us unique in the industry. These patents and our experience allow us to be able to do what every other waterproofer can do, but no one else can do what we do.
We are actively involved in the industry and community, including the National Association of Waterproofing Contractors, BHA, NARI, NAHB, NHIA, the BIA, the FHA and a number of consumer advocacy groups, as well as playing leading roles in a number of charitable functions.
But, most importantly, our highest degree of praise comes from the thousands of referrals we get from satisfied customers. Together they’ve made us a leader in the basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry.