Is Your Basement Flooded? Here’s What To Do

Aug 7 2023

The rainy season is great for cleansing the atmosphere of dust, pollen, and other pollutants. On the other hand, too much precipitation can be a nightmare for households with basements.

Basement flooding can strike at any time, but the rainy season is peak hour for obvious reasons.

If your basement ever turns into a makeshift swimming pool, it’s important to act fast and efficiently with these seven tips!

Read on to discover how to handle flood in the basement!

1. Turn Off the Circuit Breakers

We cannot stress this enough: safety first!

Of course, some of us tend to be impulsive and fearlessly dive into a flooded basement to save furniture and other valuables, but that’s a great way to get electrocuted.

If you find your basement flooded, make sure to switch off the circuit breakers to prevent any accidents from occurring. Better yet, call an electrician to help you evaluate if the basement is safe to enter.

2. Photograph and Film the Situation

Once you’re certain that it’s safe to enter the basement, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Any time you’re in the basement after flooding, always make sure that you’re wearing protective gear, such as masks and gloves.

Remember to take photos and videos of the entire process. From the untouched flood to the removal and aftermath, you will need to document everything for insurance purposes.

On top of that, it’s also a good idea to keep it for your personal file.

3. Remove the Water

If your flooded basement is equipped with a sump pump, it has either failed due to lack of maintenance or the flood is just too much for it to accommodate.

If the flood is manageable, you can use a mop, towels, and buckets to clear out the water. On the other hand, if the water levels are too high, you will need to call a professional plumber to handle it.

4. Dry the Basement

When you have successfully removed all the flood water, your basement will need a little help drying out. Letting it dry on its own increases the chances of mould growth, which is hazardous to your health.

To supplement the drying process, you can utilize fans or dehumidifiers.

5. Transfer Important Items to a Dry Area

Move your important items to a dry and well-ventilated area to minimize mould growth. When it comes to appliances, it’s best to hire a professional to see if they are still safe to be used.

6. Clean and Sanitize

Now that your basement is dry, you can proceed to clean and sanitize it with soap and warm water.

Keep an eye on your basement for a few days after the cleanup in case of any signs of mould or mildew. If you notice any, clean the area with bleach and warm water.

7. Fend Off Future Floods

An ode to the saying: “Prevention is better than a cure.”

Nothing could be more true, because we have a hunch that you would much rather install preventive measures rather than go through the earth-shattering process of de-flooding your basement. Here’s how to do that:

Sump Pump

One of the best precautionary measures is to have a sump pump installed. Due to the harsh weather conditions impacting Southern Ontario throughout the year, a sump pump is an indispensable part of every home.

As your home’s line of defence against flood, sump pumps work by transferring water accumulation outdoors. This device is usually installed in a pit which has been dug below the level of the basement floor. It’s also fitted with various valves to detect rising water levels and pressure. Once the water reaches a certain level, the sump pump will automatically activate to lead the water away from your home and toward a special discharge line.

Emergency Plumbing

Apart from a sump pump, it’s equally important to have access to reliable emergency plumbing services. In the rare event of a sump pump failure, the team at 1st Rooter is here to provide immediate assistance, 24/7.

Who to Call in Case of a Flooded Basement

A flood in the basement doesn’t work on a nine-to-five schedule, which is exactly why we’re armed and ready around the clock to provide excellent customer service.

From sump pump installation to emergency plumbing solutions, 1st Rooter has you covered with top-tier preventative measures. Our experts have been serving the Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville areas for the past 25 years with unparalleled services.

Give us a call today!