If you live near a river, lake, or another body of water and it happens to overflow and cause water to accumulate in your basement, a cleaning process needs to be conducted as soon as possible. Here are steps to take immediately after the discovery of floodwater in your basement.

Contact A Service For Help

At the first signs of floodwater getting inside of your home or business, call a flood cleaning service to set up an appointment. Since floods usually affect more than one structure nearby, it is imperative to reach out to a flood cleaning service immediately so you do not need to wait too long for assistance. Ask the service how quickly they are able to show up and make plans to start the job yourself if it is not the same day.

Gear Up For The Job Ahead

Water from nearby sources tends to have bacteria present. Because of this, it is important to cover all exposed skin before you make your way into your basement. This wards off the potential for sickness. Use waterproof clothing and boots if possible. Be sure to don a pair of gloves as well.

Remove Items Prone To Damage

You need to work quickly at removing items from floodwater in order to reduce the chance of them becoming damaged. Bring all items possible to another area of your home so they can dry. Turn furniture pieces upside down to quicken the process. Use a fan or heater in the room to speed up the drying time as well.

Eliminate Flood Water From The Room

Shut off the power to the basement to avoid electrical difficulties. If you have a sump pump, hook it up to an electrical source in a room other than the basement. If you do not have this important piece of machinery, use a bucket to scoop up water. Bring it outdoors and dump it in an area away from your home so it does not make its way back inside.

Tend To Carpets And Drywall

Your carpeting needs removal to reduce the chance of a mold outbreak. Bring it to a carpet restoration service for cleaning. If it is beyond salvage, new carpeting needs to be installed after the basement is completely dry. Drywall also tends to cause mold growth. Remove any wet drywall from the walls and replace the insulation with dry pieces. Before replacing these items, use a mold removing spray on floors and walls to kill mold spores effectively.

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