Rain and flash floods don’t only pose risk to your safety because it can also potentially cause serious water damages to your house. There are times when your sump pump might not be able to keep up with the rain and water ends up accumulating in your basement. Storms can clog your storm drain as well, allowing the storm water to backup into your house that can cause a flood.

Knowing how to get rid of water in your basement is the first thing you should know to avoid having an instant swimming pool in this unlikely part of your home. Sadly, you should wait for the rain to stop so that you can deal with this damaging and messy aftermath.

Cut Off the Power

Before anything else, turn off the power on the floor where water gathered. You have to do this before you even set foot in the room because the last thing you want is to end up electrocuted. After turning off the power, protect your feet by wearing closed toed shoes.

Find the Source

To efficiently and quickly remove water from your basement, you have to determine the how the water got into your house in the first place. Make sure you check your basement floor drain to know if it got clogged during the flood. If ever this is the case, you should unclog it to give the water a place to escape.

If you don’t have a basement drain, you can use a pool pump, dry/wet shop vacuum, or sump pump to get rid of the water. The water amount present will help you determine what you should use to remove the water. In case the water is more than 6 inches deep, you can contact a water removal company as they can help you get rid of the water.

It could also be that you have foundation damage that requires basement crack repair by a professional contractor.

Check the Damages

If you still need some items that were submerged in water, allow 48 hours for them to completely dry out. Put the water logged items outdoors or in a properly ventilated area to dry if possible. Check the items after 48 hours to ensure that bacteria or mold will not grow or develop on them. When the item looks damaged beyond use or repair, throw it in the trash. Tear up the carpeting in the basement if there is any. Most of the time, water will cause permanent damage on the carpet and you have to tear and replace it.

Drying Time

Prior to cleaning your basement, wait for several days for it to completely dry out. See to it that you open as many windows and doors to allow fresh air to enter and help dry the place faster. You can also use a dehumidifier and fans to speed up the process but ensure that you empty the dehumidifier on a regular basis.

Cleaning

Wash the floors and walls to remove dirt, mud, and other debris that the water left behind. Any damaged drywall and insulation could spread mold and you have to throw them away. Use an anti-mildew spray once everything has completely dried out.

While removing moisture can provide temporary relief, it may not prevent future water damage. If you believe foundation issues are leading to basement moisture contact our proud partners Detroit Foundation Repair for a free estimate.