With the amount of rain Northeastern PA has been getting lately, it’s not uncommon for a basement that never before had a moisture issue to now show signs of moisture intrusion, Water Damage, and even Mold Growth!
For this reason, it’s important to address moisture issues quickly and effectively.
But where do you start? Whether your basement is finished or simply used for storage, the process can be a bit overwhelming.
We understand all of this, and that’s why we have put together this breakdown of what you should do when your basement floods!
Safety First
Depending on how much water is in your basement, there can be some serious safety concerns. Did the rising water come in contact with electrical systems such as outlets or panel boxes? If so, the water could be electrified and pose a serious safety hazard to anyone attempting to go into the basement! If there is any possibility that the water may have come in contact with electricity, or you simply don’t know, it’s best to have an electrician inspect the property before attempting to enter the basement.
Another thing that you need to consider is where the water came from. Flood waters are well known to pick up any number of contaminants and pathogens along the way, and as a result can represent a significant risk to your health. Groundwater unrelated to a flood may not directly be as great a health hazard, but often occurs over time and may go unnoticed behind walls and storage, or under flooring which can present its own problems. Regardless of the source, long term moisture damage can lead to structural damage and mold growth.
Remove water and dry out your Basement as quickly as possible
The longer moisture is allowed to remain in your basement, the more damage will occur. For this reason, it is important to contact a Water Damage Mitigation firm such as Disaster Blaster as quickly as possible so that they can begin the necessary water damage cleanup and drying.
Professional response to Water Damage, and particularly flooding / exterior water intrusion, is extremely important as proper mitigation requires specialized equipment, training, and understanding of building components and drying principles. We regularly perform extensive Mold Remediation work following water intrusion issues that homeowners attempted to dry themselves. While there are many, many, DIY projects that a homeowner can take on, this unfortunately is not one of them.
Take steps to prevent your Basement from flooding in the future
Nobody wants their basement to flood once, let alone twice! Now’s the time to consult with professionals to determine if there is any way you can avoid this in the future. While this can be difficult with flood waters, groundwater issues can often be rectified.
Are your gutters clogged or directed improperly? Is your yard graded towards the house? Does your street, sidewalk, or curb direct water into your basement? These are just some of the things that a professional will look at and make recommendations to address. At the end of the day, a true Mitigation Firm is not just there to dry out your basement and prevent further damage, but to help make sure you won’t need them again. Whether that requires improved drainage or the installation of a dehumidifier to address humidity concerns, Disaster Blaster is always there to help you address these issues before they become something far worse.
We hope you found this information helpful and, while we hope you’re not reading this because you’ve experienced Basement Flooding, we’re happy to help if you did! Please contact your local Disaster Blaster office today and we will work with you to not only address the existing water damage, but the underlying cause as well!
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