Did your basement flood recently, and now you’re wondering what to do next?! A flooded basement can happen without warning, which can lead to saturated flooring material, damaged property, and potentially dangerous health risks.
When a flooded basement occurs, homeowners tend to try to clean up the mess themselves, which is often when they make costly mistakes. Knowing what common mistakes people make when dealing with a flooded basement is just as important as what to do next.
In this blog, we will examine the most common mistakes people make after a basement flood and discuss how to avoid making those same mistake should a basement flood ever happen to you.
Top Mistakes To Avoid When Dealing With a Flooded Basement
Experiencing a basement flood is physically, emotionally and financially exhausting. Should you ever experience a flooded basement depending on the severity of the basement flood you’ll want to contact a professional restoration specialist. Here are the 6 most common mistakes homeowners or property managers make when trying to resolve a flooded basement by themselves:
1. Not Identifying and Stopping the Source of Water Damage
The first and most significant mistake that many homeowners make is not identifying the source of flooding and stopping it. Whether it is a broken pipe, sewer backup, or heavy rain seepage, ignoring the issue will only lead to it happening again.
Before cleanup begins, make sure to turn off the water source completely. If you experienced flooding from an external source, check your gutters and foundation.
2. Waiting Too Long to Call for Help
Delaying action after a basement flood is detrimental to your home and health. Water spreads quickly it will seep into your walls, floors, and furnishings, all in a matter of minutes. Even waiting a couple of hours for a water leakage to subside can turn what could be a minor problem into structural damage or mold growth.
Homeowners often do not realize just how quickly moisture can have a permanent impact on their home. You will want to be prompt and react swiftly. Remember that Flooded Basement Services are available 24 hours a day for emergency calls. The sooner a professional can help you with the flood, the better you will be able to save your belongings from secondary damage.
3. Your Attempts at DIY Cleanup Without the Proper Equipment
Common household equipment like fans and vacuums will not get rid of water trapped in hidden or unreachable areas, such as underneath the carpet or behind walls. If you do not dry the area fully, it will keep moisture that will lead to mold and mildew, warped wood, and lingering smells.
Water removal professionals utilize powerful, industrial-strength equipment such as air movers and dehumidifiers, as well as moisture meters, to ensure that everything is completely dried. Trained technicians with a Flood Damage Restoration Company will assist you by checking how extensively the water penetrated to ensure your basement is dry and safe.
4. Not Taking Pictures of All the Damage for Insurance
Another mistake that homeowners make after they experience a flood is that they don’t take photographs of all the damage for their insurance. If no visual proof, such as photos or videos, was captured, your insurance company may refuse or reduce your insurance claim. Good documentation is a must for reimbursement of your charges and coverage of repairs.
Before any cleanup is conducted, take adequate photos of the affected areas, furniture, and structure. Document everything that has been damaged, as well as any estimates you receive for repairs. When you work with a Flooded Basement Restoration company, they can often facilitate the process of coordinating the costs with your insurance, accurately documenting them, and providing their estimates.
5. Ignoring Hidden Moisture and Mold Growth
After you remove the visible water, hidden moisture can still reside within walls, flooring, and insulation. This moisture can be a prime environment for the growth of mold, which can start to grow within 24 to 48 hours. Mold can cause structural damage, and it also presents a serious health risk, from allergies to respiratory problems. Infrared cameras and moisture sensors are really the only ways to find damp areas that are invisible to the eye. If left untreated or wet, mold and mildew can grow causing even more problems in the future. Maintaining a dry environment is crucial to the structural integrity of your home.
6. Assuming the Job is Complete, Once the Cleanup is Complete
After the removal of water and once the basement is restored, many homeowners assume their job is complete. However, unless some preventive measures are taken, the same problem can happen again or nearly cause the same incident to happen again.
Some basic steps you can take to help prevent floods in the future are to seal your basement, make sure your gutters and downspouts are free of debris, and get a sump pump or some other way to remove water if your basement gets wet. You should also get a trustworthy Flood Damage Restoration Near Me service to inspect your place regularly so your home is covered year-round as needed.
The Value of a Flooded Basement Restoration Service
Using a restoration team that works in your local area means faster response time and better service. Experts who live in your area can better fix the root cause of your flooding. There are many benefits to using local experts. They will work directly with your insurance company to expedite your claim processing and help minimize your out-of-pocket costs.
Western Disaster Cleanup shines as a trusted leader in Water Damage Restoration by providing emergency response 24 hours a day and comprehensive restoration services in Utah and Colorado. Our expertly trained team of specialists works in Water Damage Repair that includes mold remediation, sewage cleanup, and flood recovery.
With years of experience and the latest technologies, we are ready to mitigate the damage done to your home or business and return it to its pre-loss condition quickly and safely. Whenever disaster arises, know you will always be covered with the trusted leader. Contact Us to schedule an on-site inspection.
