If your basement floods after a heavy rain, then it’s time to take action before you lose property or before someone gets seriously hurt. A little flooding may not seem like a big deal, but a lot can be seriously dangerous. Let’s take a look at the steps you should take when your basement floods.
Safety First!
A flooded basement is more than just an inconvenience. If the electrical components in your basement get wet, then you could be dealing with some serious danger. Call an electrician right away, especially if you can’t access your circuit breaker. If you can get to your circuit breaker, turn off the power. You should also turn the gas off if you have it. Then, talk to your electrician to determine whether or not it’s safe to enter the basement to start getting it cleaned up. You should also call your insurance company to report the problem and hopefully get coverage for any lost or damaged items.
Call a Plumber!
After you’ve determined that the area is safe to enter, try to place important items aside to minimize their water damage. Then, it’s time to call the plumber and figure out what went wrong. Basements shouldn’t flood, even though they’re underground. Your sump pump could have failed or there could be a drainage problem somewhere in your yard. Either way, a plumber can assess the situation and address the problem so that it doesn’t happen again.
Get Rid of the Water!
As long as, once again, you have determined that the basement is safe to enter, you should start getting rid of the water. You can do this with a shop vacuum, if you want, or you can call in a professional to help you. Be extremely careful with any electronics that got wet, as they can still pose a threat to your safety. Though it may be tempting to simply leave the water to dry, you may be opening yourself up to mold growth, which can lead to even bigger problems. Throw anything out that is beyond saving.
Michael Runk Can Protect Your Basement from Flooding
If you’re dealing with a flooded basement, then you need to call on the experts to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Michael Runk is a master plumber located in Eldersburg, Maryland who can address any of your plumbing needs from faucets to sewer lines and more. Contact us today to learn more and to set up an appointment with us.