No one wants to walk downstairs to find their basement flooded. However, it’s bound to happen at one point in your life, and it’s important to know how to handle the situation. The following steps should help you navigate your flooded basement with ease.

Shut off the source of the flood as soon as possible.

This seems like an easy enough task unless, of course, the water is coming in because your area is flooded. In order to turn off the source of water, you will likely need to turn off the plumbing in your entire home. Don’t know how to turn off the plumbing? It’s better that you learn now, when you don’t need to know, than wait until disaster strikes.

Oh, and if the source of the water is a sewage backup, it’s imperative you don’t use any appliances that use water, such as the toilet or dishwasher.

Examine the damage from a distance.

You need to assess the damage but do not attempt to wade through the water; there is a very real potential for electric shock. If you must walk through the flooded area, make sure you can complete the following steps, first:

1. Turn off the power in your home.
2. Wear protective gear, especially if the flood is from the sewer line.
3. Ensure there are no gas leaks.
4. Check for structural damage.

Again, if you cannot complete the steps above, do not attempt to walk through the water. Assessing damage can wait if your safety is in danger.

Call the plumber immediately.

We understand that plumbing emergencies happen at all hours of the day. Never be afraid to call outside of business hours, that’s what we’re here for.

Call your insurance company.

Your very next call after us should be your insurance company. The sooner you call, the more likely they will be to cover the majority of the damage. Taking photos and video of the damage is also a good idea. And don’t forget to save the receipts from any emergency repairs or purchases you make. A lot of times those expenses will be covered by your insurance or at least count toward your deductible.

Prepare for the future.

Your basement flooded and there is a chance it may happen again in the future. To try to avoid this in the future, we’ve provided three preventative measures you can take:

1. Store valuables in watertight containers.
2. Install a sump pump.
3. Upgrade your foundation’s drainage system.

Taking these preventative measures will not only make you more prepared for a flooded basement in the future, but also will make your insurance company more likely to satisfy your claim.

 
Only after completing the steps listed above will you be ready to clean and restore your basement to its former glory. But don’t worry, A&A Plumbing is always just a phone call away if you have any questions or a plumbing emergency.