Flooded Basement
A flooded basement can be a real concern for homeowners in Montana. Many Montana homes have a basement. Basement flooding can occur in the winter as much as it can in the spring. Extreme changes in temperature as well as significant rainfall or flooding can create flooding in your basement. Standing water in a basement is also a health concern as it is a breading ground for harmful bacteria and fungi.
What should I do if my basement floods?
The first thing you should do is turn off the electricity to the basement as electricity and water can be a dangerous mix. Your family and your safety should be your number one priority. After the electricity has been turned off, you will need to determine where the water is coming from. It could be from a frozen pipe that has burst, a leaking hot water heater, faulty plumbing, or a leak a window or the foundation of the home.
Depending on where the water is coming from, you may not be able to stop the leak yourself. You will need to call a professional to fix a broken window or a crack in your foundation. Or you may need to call a plumber to fix a broken pipe. Luckily, some homeowners may find that their basement has a drain built-in that will minimize damage caused from a flooded basement. If it is not draining, you will want to make sure the basement drain is not clogged or blocked. If this is no drain, you will need a sump pump to remove the water.
A sump pump is generally available at a local hardware store or online at Home Depot, Lowes or Amazon. If it is a small amount of water, you may be able to use a wet/dry vacuum or a mop to clean up the excess water. If you are unable to clean up the water yourself, you will need to call someone to help you clean the water out of your basement.
After you have removed all the water from the basement, you will want to assess any damage that may have occurred. Remember, some damage may have occurred in the walls and below any flooring that is installed. Often a flooded basement will also bring in excessive amounts of dirt, mud and grime. You may have to hire a restoration company like ServiceMaster to ensure that your basement is clean and safe to use once again.
If damage to your flooded basement has happened, you will need to have damage restoration. It is important that you choose a reputable damage restoration company that can mitigate further damage and repair damage that is already done. Many home insurance companies will cover damage restoration. ServiceMaster works with most home insurance companies. If you need help with a flooded basement and water damage restoration and mitigation, contact us today.
