The spring is quickly approaching and we couldn’t be happier that nice weather is on its way! With all of the snow melting away, flooding is a definite possibility as we’ve seen over the past few weeks. Learn what to do if you discover flooding in your basement in the coming months.
Disconnect, Pump, Remove and Dry
Before attempting anything in the basement, make sure to disconnect all power and electricity! The next step is to pump the water out of your basement using a gas-powered water pump (which can be purchased or rented from a local hardware shop). As an alternative, you can reach out to a company that completes emergency flood restoration services to remove high and low levels of water from your basement. After the water is removed, get rid of any damaged items and move everything else out of your basement to dry. You will likely need to remove your carpet padding and get rid of it, unless you have specialized equipment to clean it. To help dry out the affected areas use fans, dehumidifiers and/or open windows and doors (if weather permits).
Clean, clean, clean!
Since all the items from your basement should now be removed, it’s time to complete a deep clean of the area. To prevent any mould from growing, make sure to disinfect and clean the floors, walls and doors.
Prevention
Ensuring your home is in tip-top shape before the winter is key to flood prevention! During the fall, it is important to look around your property and ensure water is running away from your home. Take a look at your gutters and make sure the spouts are pointing away from the property and that they are clear of any debris. If your home doesn’t already have a sump pump, make sure to install one; an automatic sump pump “should keep normal amounts of rainfall from building up in a basement”.
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