Water In Your Basement

Prioritize Safety

• An inch of water is already considered flooding, so do not think that it is a minor problem. It is already be harmful to your property and could prove dangerous to the health of your household. In addition, the water could be contaminated with bacteria, so make sure to keep everyone out of the basement until the problem is fixed. 
• Be extra careful with electrical wires, and ensure that the main power source is turned off before touching things in the basement. Don’t wade through water that could be in contact with an electrical conduit.

Find out what caused the issue.

• Looking for the cause or source of flooding will help you fix the issue faster. Do not move or touch anything yet to avoid worsening the problem. Check if your sump pump is operating and if there are any burst pipes. Once the leak is stopped, you can start working on getting the water pumped out of your basement.

Fix the damages

• After draining the water, it should be safe to enter the basement. That’s when you can move things out of the way to get to a dry location and start to repair the damages caused by the flood. It is a good thing if you have flood insurance, so your home is protected just in case these unexpected things happen. Your insurance company should include flood insurance to help you save the valuable items damaged by the flooding. If the damage is severe, contact a professional to help you with the remediation. 

Find ways to prevent future floods.

• You can avoid basement flooding by water-proofing your home. However, if you can’t afford it at the moment, you can do these steps:
  • First, fix your foundation cracks if you find any.
  • Fix landscape issues that cause water to pool up near your home.
  • Clear your gutters and downspouts regularly.
  • Your sump pump needs routine maintenance, especially before the rainy season.
  • If you have window wells, there should be covers installed to keep water out.

After a basement flooding, the best thing to do is get a home inspector to check your home to see its current condition. With his expertise, he can thoroughly inspect the house to help you avoid surprises and future expensive repairs.