What to Do When Your Basement Floods

Basements are useful and habitual spaces. Whether you’re using yours as an additional storage space, an extra living area, or have transformed it into a funky bar, you likely use your basement on a regular basis. However, heavy rain can turn any basement into a waterlogged nightmare.

Let’s explore what to do when your basement floods and how Cleanup & Total Restoration restores yours to its pre-damage condition.

Why Does My Basement Flood When It Rains?

1. Bad Drainage
   

   One common culprit behind basement floods is improper water drainage. If the soil around your home doesn’t slope away from the foundation or your downspouts and gutters are clogged, water can pool around the base of your home and eventually seep into your basement.

2. Sump Pump

   Sump pumps are designed to protect your basement from a flood. However, they can backfire. If your sump pump malfunctions or loses power, it can lead to a flooded basement. Ensuring regular maintenance and a backup power supply for your sump pump is important in preventing basement floods.

3.  Sewer Backup

   A particularly unpleasant (and smelly) cause of basement flooding is a sewer backup. When heavy rainfall overflows the sewer system, it can cause sewage to flow backward into your basement. If you have just discovered raw sewage in your basement, you need help fast. Call CTR for emergency flood damage restoration.

4. Gutters & Downspouts

   Gutters and downspouts play a vital role in flowing rainwater away from your foundation. If they’re clogged or damaged, the water may find its way into your basement. Regular cleaning and maintenance of gutters and downspouts can go a long way when it comes to preventing basement floods.

5.  Foundation Cracks

   Cracks allow water to infiltrate your basement. If you notice any cracks around your basement walls or floor, you should address the issue right away. Otherwise, you could have a flooded basement on your hands after the next rainstorm.

6. Improper Grading

   Grading is the slope in which water drains away from your home. If water can’t flow away from your foundation, it could end up in your basement. Hire a professional to assess the slope of your home for a fully-functional drainage system.

What To Do When Your Basement Floods

If you’ve discovered a flood in your basement, a bunch of thoughts are likely swirling around your head. Instead of panicking, remain calm and follow these steps:

Step 1: Shut Off the Power

Your safety should always be your top priority. Turn off the power to prevent any risk of electrical shock. This includes electricity and gas. If you’re unsure how to safely disconnect the power, contact a professional at CTR.

Step 2: Call Your Insurance

Report the flood to your insurance as soon as possible. Once you do this, they will guide you through the ins and outs of filing a claim. Remember to take photos or videos of the damage for evidence, as this helps support your claim.

Step 3: Determine the Water Source

Identifying the source of water is an essential second step. Is it rainwater, a burst pipe, or a sewer backup? Knowing the source will help you determine the best course of action. If you’re having a hard time finding the source, contact CTR and we’ll come up with an action plan.

Step 4: Move Items

Your items mean a lot to you—especially the ones that are priceless, like jewelry and photo albums. Safeguard your belongings by moving them out of the floodwater’s way. If you need help relocating your items to a safe area, consider the assistance of a restoration company like CTR.

Step 5: Contact Cleanup & Total Restoration

Reach out to a professional cleanup and restoration service like Cleanup & Total Restoration. Our experts will be on your property in 60 minutes or less to mitigate the damages and start the restoration process. Prevent further damage and mold growth; pick up the phone and call (208) 793-6591.

Get 24-Hour Cleanup Services From CTR

There’s no doubt about it—dealing with a flooded basement is overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. When you contact Cleanup & Total Restoration, you’re reaching out to a long-standing company that has been helping thousands of homeowners for nearly three decades. Get the help you need, and receive flood assistance from the restoration company Southern Idaho residents trusts.