What To Do When Your Basement Floods
If you have a flooded basement, you need to act quickly. Mold and mildew spores begin developing within 24 to 48 hours of water entering an area, so it’s important to take the right steps to restore your basement.
Our team put together this guide to help you deal with a flooded basement quickly and effectively so you can stay safe, protect your belongings, and limit damage to your home.
1. Shut Off Power to Your Basement
You first need to get to your electrical panel to shut off power to the flooded areas. Each circuit should be labeled, and you’ll probably see one or two marked as “basement.” Switch them off.
If your electrical panel is in your basement, call an emergency electrician to shut off the power safely. You can get electrocuted if you step in over 2 inches of water while the power is still on, so it’s best to avoid the danger altogether by contacting an expert.
2. Determine the Source of the Water
Your search for the water source could extend outside your basement. Check for:
- A burst pipe
- A leaky water heater
- A broken washing machine supply hose
- Leaky basement windows
Call an emergency plumber if you’ve determined that plumbing issues caused the flood.
3. Remove Valuable Items
Once the power is off in your basement and you’ve determined the source of the water, you should start moving valuables and upholstered items to a dry location. These items can start to grow mold and mildew if left in the humidity of the flooded basement.
4. Clean Up the Water
Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water. If you don’t have access to a wet/dry vacuum, you can rent one from a local home improvement store.
You can mop up minor flooding or leaks with towels.
5. Prevent Mold & Mildew
Set up fans and dehumidifiers to circulate the air in your basement and start drying it out.
When your basement is dry, you might notice a musty smell remains. You’ll need to clean walls and floors with a disinfecting cleaning solution. Be careful not to miss any affected areas.
Trust Genz-Ryan for Sump Pump & Emergency Plumbing Services in the Twin Cities
If a plumbing issue is the root cause of your home’s flooded basement, call Genz-Ryan Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical for emergency plumbing services. Our licensed and insured plumbers are available 24/7 to help.
A sump pump is critical for protecting your basement from flooding, but you have a problem if it’s too small, clogged, or has a stuck switch. We can install a new sump pump, repair your existing unit, or upgrade it with a replacement to prevent future flooding.
Call (612) 223-6158 or contact us online today to schedule service for your home in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
