What Is the Best Way To Drain a Flooded Basement?

11/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fixing a Flooded Basement

When you have a flooded basement, it is important to take action as soon as possible. There are several steps that you can take to help mitigate any damage caused by a flooded basement.

Shut Off the Power and the Water Supply

If you have a flooded basement, it's important to turn off the power first. This will prevent electric shock as well as avoid triggering any heating systems. You can also use this time to shut off the water supply in your home by turning off the valve at the top of your main water line or calling an emergency plumber.

Once these two steps are taken care of, you can begin cleaning up your basement and removing all damaged materials from it. Remember not to touch anything with wet hands or feet just yet—you don't want any mold spores spreading throughout your home!

Remove Damaged Items

After your basement has been flooded, it is imperative to remove any damaged items. If you have any items that are salvageable, they should be removed at this time and placed in a safe location. Any items that are not salvageable should be discarded. Do not attempt to repair anything at this point as it could cause further damage to your home and result in mold growth. If you are unsure whether an item can be repaired or if you need to contact an insurance company for advice on how best to dispose of the item, please do so immediately.

Pump Out the Water

To get water out of the basement, use a sump pump. A wet/dry vacuum, shop vac, or bucket and mop will not work effectively to remove excess water from your basement.

A sump pump is designed specifically for pumping water out of your home's lowest level. These pumps are very effective at removing large amounts of standing water efficiently and quickly. They're also easy to install--you can purchase one that's pre-packaged with all necessary attachments or hire an electrician to install it for you.

Use a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air and make your basement more comfortable to live in. You may want to place it on one of your basement’s walls or near a window, as long as there is at least four feet of space between the unit and any wall. This will allow adequate airflow around both sides of the device so that it can properly function.

Dealing with the Carpet

Unless you can get your carpeting and padding removed, cleaned and replaced before the water damage sets in, you may want to consider pulling it up. If you don't do this now, it may be too late when the time comes for a replacement. You'll be faced with a choice between discarding your old carpet or paying for expensive restoration work that's still not guaranteed to yield satisfactory results.

The good news is that many types of carpets are designed for easy removal and reinstallation—even if they've been soaked through by flood waters. If yours is one of them, there will probably be some adhesive backing left behind after removal that needs to be scraped off with a putty knife before you can install your new flooring (or roll out an affordable temporary option like paper or plastic). Just remember: even after cleaning and drying has occurred, mold can grow beneath these materials—so make sure they're completely dry before putting anything back down on top of them!

Use Fans

The more fans you have in the area, the faster it will dry. The trick is to put the fans in different areas of your basement so they can reach all its corners and walls. You want a fan blowing on every wall and corner of your basement and any outlets or light switches that may be wet.

If you only have one fan and it isn't powerful enough to dry out your entire basement, then set up two or three smaller appliances—a dehumidifier, an air conditioning unit—and place them around other parts of your home (like a bedroom). This will help draw moisture away from the floor where it's causing damage.

When using multiple devices like this at once, be sure not to overload any circuits because it could cause electrical fires!

Handle it Properly

A flooded basement can cause damage to your home and personal property, if not properly handled. Water can get into the walls, floors, and furniture. This is especially true for older homes where there has been a lot of moisture in the soil around the structure for years. Because of this, mold will grow on any surface that has been exposed to water from a flood.

Mold spores are everywhere—in our homes and outside in nature—and we breathe them in every day without even knowing it. Mold can also cause electrical damage as well as structural damage if left untreated long enough

The best way to handle a flooded basement is by calling a professional at SERVPRO of Northern Colorado/Tri-Lakes, who will pump out the excess water and dry out your home. You can also call us if you have any other questions about how to handle flooding.