Turn Off the Water and Electricity

Standing water and electricity is never a good mix. Before entering the basement to assess the damage, you will need to turn off the electricity to the area. You should be able to flip the breaker switch to the basement area. If the breaker box is in the basement, do not risk going into the water to get to it. Call the electric company so they can come out to turn off the electricity.

If the flood came from a storm, there isn’t much you can do to stop the water until the storm passes. A burst pipe or broken appliance can be shut off by turning off your main water line. This is usually located in your basement or on the outside of your house. Run your cold water taps first and flush your toilets to empty the line. Make sure you turn off your water heater before running the hot water tap to empty it. This will prevent more water from collecting while you figure out the best way to handle the basement water removal process.

Remove All Possessions From the Water

Once it is safe to do so, you will need to remove as much as you can from the water. Move what you can somewhere dry, such as the garage or outside if the weather permits it.

It’s important to remember that moisture can breed mold within a couple of days. Do not assume that because something is mostly dry that it is safe to bring back in the house or use. Everything needs to be completely dry and cleaned to get rid of any mold spores that might have formed.

Dealing With the Water

In some cases, you can mop up the water and deal with the excess moisture with towels and fans. If you are reading this, then you are probably dealing with more water than you can mop up. You can try to use a shop vac, but the safest option will be to call a basement water removal service, like ERS. We have the equipment to get your basement and possessions completely dry and clean. We can also assess what water damage has occurred and how to restore it.

You will also need to contact your insurance company and file a claim. ERS can work with your insurance and even bill them directly.

The reason for the flood will also need to be addressed. A broken pipe or appliance can be easily identified and fixed. A basement leak due to a storm may need more investigation to determine the best way to fix the problem. In the meantime, try to move important items out of your basement and store things in plastic bins instead of cardboard.

A basement flood doesn’t just make things a soggy mess. It can cause mold and serious structural damage even after the water is gone if not taken care of properly. You don’t have to handle it on your own. The experts at ERS Emergency Restoration Services are available 24/7. We know how to get rid of the water and damage it causes safely and quickly. Check out how we can help here.