Flooded basement? What to do? Many homeowners have been faced with a flooded basement, and there are some good pointers that should be remembered in any flooded basement situation. Excel Fire And Water Damage Restoration Services is a Water Damage Restoration company and we’ve had to deal with flooded basement situations many times, so we offer the following advice. In this article we’ll cover what you should do if your basement is flooded, from identification of the problem to getting through it as easily as possible.

6 Basic Steps in Cleaning Up a Basement

1. Call Your Insurance Company: The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company. Before you begin any cleanup, they will tell you when an adjuster will be able to come to your house to examine the damage, assuming it is covered under your insurance. Then, document the damage using photos or videos. As you clean, make a list of the costs of the damages.
2. Drain The Water: You must exercise utmost caution before doing any work on a flooded basement. Before you go down to the basement, always drain the water. Your electrical service panel is most likely located in the basement. To access the service panel, wear rubber boots or rain boots and a small plastic step stool or step ladder. Turn off all of the basement connections. If you have a lot of water in your basement, start pumping it out with a wet/dry vacuum. Keep the extension cable and vacuum cord out of the water by plugging in the wet/dry vacuum upstairs. 
3. Get Rid Of Any Items From The Flooded Basement: Take everything out of the basement, including furniture, carpets, bedding, clothing, gadgets, and so on. They are not only in the way, but they must be moved outside or in front of a fan as soon as possible to dry out and avoid mold growth. Photos, books, and significant papers can be cleaned later when you have the time. Remove any dirt from the items and store them in plastic bags. Electrical and gas equipment should not be salvaged from a flooded basement. Replace any water-damaged outlets, switches, fixtures, wiring, and gas-powered equipment.
4. Soak Up Any Excess Water: Soak up as much extra water as possible. To remove the water from the ground, use a wet/dry vacuum or a mop. If the room has carpet, it is preferable to remove it and replace it after the floor has dried. If it cannot be removed, the water must be dried and the carpet cleaned within 24 hours. After you’ve removed the remaining water, use a high-powered industrial fan and dehumidifier to dry out the carpet as much as possible. Clean the carpet using a mix of 2 tablespoons bleach to 1 gallon water to prevent mildew and smells.
5. Take Down Flooring And Wall Panels: Vinyl or tile floors may need to be removed to allow the subfloor to dry. Wood flooring should be dried gradually to avoid cracking. To help air out the space, open any windows and doors. Use as many fans and dehumidifiers as possible to aid in the drying process. Carpet can be dried, however many times it needs to be replaced. Paneling and drywall will require your attention next. Water damage to drywall can occur, but some of it can be recovered. Remove any wet drywall and insulation beneath the flood level. You may dry out the paneling by removing a portion of the wallboard and using a fan to air it out.
6. Clean And Disinfect: Finally, clean and disinfect your flooded basement. Brush surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. After that, use a disinfectant to destroy any remaining bacteria. Make a DIY cleaning solution by combining 1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Another alternative is to hire a professional water damage restoration company like Excel Restoration to help you with your flooded basement so that molds and mildew do not grow and endanger your family’s health.

After a flooded basement, you may never feel the same way about your house again. However, with some hard work, you can at least bring everything back to normal. While you’re cleaning, you may be prepping your house for future floods. Purchase shelf racks to keep your belongings off the ground. Water has no effect on plastic shelf systems. Next, instead of cardboard boxes, put valuables in plastic bins to keep them secure if they become wet.

A Water Damage Restoration Company Serving Illinois

Contact Excel Fire And Water Damage Restoration Services now at (224) 212-1217 for 24 hour basement water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, or mold treatment, or receive a quick quote from our website. Our Water Damage Restoration Company can aid you in clearing your flooded basement in 30 to 60 minutes.

Learn more information about how to perform water removal on air ducts.