What Do You Do When Your Basement is Flooding?
Learning that your basement is flooding is arguably one of the most frustrating things a homeowner will endure. Following these steps will help keep your head and find a clear way through the situation.
STEP 1: PUT SAFETY FIRST AND CALL YOUR ELECTRICIAN.
If you do experience a basement flood, remember to put safety first. A flooded basement can pose an electrical hazard to you and your family members, so one of the first calls to make should be to your electrician, especially if you can’t access your circuit breaker. If your circuit breaker is not located in the basement, shut off power and gas immediately. Any electronics in contact with the floodwater are unsafe. An electrician can help you assess whether it’s safe to enter the basement and begin the water removal process.
STEP 2: REMOVE IMPORTANT ITEMS TO A DRY AREA.
Once you are sure that it’s safe to venture into the basement, it is possible to begin the water removal process yourself. If safe, remove upholstered furniture and other belongings to a dry area.
Be careful, though - if water is left standing for too long, it can soon become dangerously unsanitary to enter, and the water removal and drying out process will require the help of trained professionals like the Roto-Rooter Water Restoration team.
STEP 3: CALL YOUR PLUMBER.
After you've made sure the area is safe to enter and removed upholstered furniture and other valuables to a dry area, it's important to call a plumber to identify and fix the issue that caused the flooding in the first place.
Roto-Rooter can send licensed plumbers to make any necessary plumbing repairs that may have caused your basement to flood. Best of all, Roto-Rooter is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whenever you need service and need to act quickly to prevent further damage.
STEP 4: CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY.
Homeowners insurance and renters insurance often requires special flood insurance for flooding caused by mother nature. Flood coverage is an add-on to your regular policy, so you’ll want to be sure you’re covered before you need it. Most standard insurance policies cover flood damage caused by appliance failure or a burst pipe.
Roto-Rooter will work directly with your insurance company throughout the water cleanup, extraction and removal process to help your claim go as smoothly as possible. When you call your insurance company, tell them Roto-Rooter is already on the job.
STEP 5: CLEAN UP, SANITIZE, AND DEODORIZE.
Once you can begin cleanup, remember to keep safety first. Do not attempt to use electronic devices that may have come into contact with the water. You may need or want help and we are happy to provide it. Our trained professional water cleanup specialists receive the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and always perform water restoration services in compliance with standards for professional water damage and flood damage restoration. Roto-Rooter’s vehicles are fully equipped with state-of-the art water extraction, drying and moisture testing equipment to handle everything including:
- Water and sewer damage cleanup
- Cleaning and deodorizing
- Drying of contents and structure
WHAT CAUSES BASEMENT FLOODING?
Numerous factors can cause basement flooding: oversaturation of groundwater, broken sump pumps, storm drain backup, burst pipes, leaking appliances, leaking fixtures, and even overflowing creeks. Your Roto-Rooter team can help you identify what is specifically causing your issue.