Ugh, there’s nothing worse than descending into your basement only to find a full-blown swimming pool down there! If you live in the Buffalo-Niagara region, chances are you’ve had to deal with a flooded basement at some point. Between the insane lake effect snowmelt every spring and the ridiculous deluges that seem to strike every summer, our aging drainage systems just can’t keep up.
Although it could be tempting to ignore that moisture in your basement and just hope it dries up on its own, you can’t afford to be laid-back about it. The longer that moisture hangs around, the more damage it’ll cause, such as warped floors, mold, rusty pipes, you name it.
But don’t panic and start splashing around just yet. Instead, try to stay calm and move quickly. Grab your rubber boots and let’s wade right into some pro flood-fighting tips that’ll get your basement high and dry again in no time!
Ensure Your Safety First
Before you even think about trying to tackle that basement flood situation, you need to make sure you’re not putting yourself at risk. Safety has to be the top priority here.
Turn Off Electricity
This one’s huge – standing water and live electrical outlets are a terrifying combo that can literally kill you. Don’t mess around. Head straight for your circuit breaker box and shut off the power supply to the basement and any other flooded areas.
If you’re at all unsure about how to do this safely or what circuits to cut, don’t hesitate to call an electrician. Dealing with water-damaged wiring is not a DIY job.
Wear Protective Gear
You have no idea what nasty stuff could be floating around in that basement water. We’re talking harmful bacteria, mold spores, chemicals from stored products, etc. At minimum, you’ll want waterproof boots and thick rubber gloves to keep your skin safe. But depending on how funky that floodwater looks, you might also need a respirator mask. Basements are notorious mold traps, so better safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your lungs.
Look, we get it – your first instinct is to rush in and start bailing out water immediately. But taking a quick second to suit up with the proper safety gear can literally be a life-saver. Don’t become one of those tragic news stories about a well-meaning homeowner who got zapped or made themselves sick. Your health’s got to be the priority here.
Stop the Water Source (If Possible)
Okay, now that you’ve got your safety secure, it’s time to try and put a cork in that basement flood situation.
Identify the Cause of Flooding
First thing’s first, you need to play amateur detective and figure out what’s causing this soggy mess. Does it seem to be weather-related, such as heavy rains or rapidly melting snow? Or is it a plumbing disaster caused by a burst pipe or water heater malfunction? Maybe it’s even a sewer backup situation?
Shut Off Main Water Supply
If you determine it’s a plumbing issue, like a burst pipe or leaking appliance, haul it over to your main water shutoff valve and turn it off ASAP. Cutting off the water supply should at least stop any more from gushing in.
Check for Drainage Blockages
But if the flooding seems to be from surface runoff or an overflowing sump pump, the first thing you should do is to check for any clogged drains or blockages. This could be why the water cannot escape properly. Clear out any gunk you find so at least the water has a chance to drain away.
Look, there’s only so much you can do on your own to stop an active basement flood. But taking these quick triage steps to cut off the water supply or clear drainage paths? That’ll go a long way in getting the situation under control until you can move to the next phase. Every little bit helps when you’re staring down a potential indoor swimming pool!
Removing the Water Safely
Alright, so you’ve managed to stop any new water from pouring in – nice work! Now for the fun part: getting rid of that gross, stagnant pond that’s taken over your basement.
But don’t just start wildly splashing around – you need to approach this part strategically to avoid further damage or safety hazards. Here are some tips:
Use a Sump Pump or Shop-Vac
If you’ve got a sump pump installed, now’s the time to make sure it’s working properly to get that water out. If it’s not kicking on automatically or seems clogged, you’ll want to get it serviced ASAP. No sump pump? A heavy-duty wet-dry shop vacuum can be a decent backup for minor flooding. Just be super careful using anything electrical around standing water.
Go Old School With Buckets
When in doubt, you can always resort to the bucket brigade method. It ain’t pretty, but bailing out water with buckets is a zero-risk way to get the job done if you can’t or don’t want to mess with power equipment. Just make sure you’ve got a safe path cleared to dump those heavy buckets outside when they’re full!
Call the Pros
Look, if we’re being honest here, lugging and dumping buckets of water is only feasible for very minor floods. Anything more than a few inches of nasty basement soup and you’ll be there all week. For major flooding situations, your best bet is 100% calling in a professional water removal crew who has industrial pumps and vacuum trucks that’ll make quick work of even the biggest indoor pool.
The key is to be smart and safe in handling your basement flood, not just diving in and potentially electrocuting or injuring yourself. A little strategic planning for water removal will have your basement back to its normal, comfy, dry self before you know it!
Dry the Basement Thoroughly
Alright, so you’ve gotten rid of that nasty standing water…. But don’t celebrate just yet. If you don’t take some serious steps to fully dry things out down there, you’re just inviting an even bigger headache. We’re talking a moldy, musty, all-around unpleasant basement situation that’ll make you wish you were back dealing with the flood.
Ventilate Like Crazy
Step one is getting some major airflow going to suck up all the excess moisture. Throw open any windows or doors you can, as long as the weather cooperates. You’ll also want to bring in some heavy duty fans and dehumidifiers to really get that drying process going.
Get Rid of Soaked Stuff
Next, it’s time for a tough love approach to anything and everything that got drenched – carpets, furniture, boxes, etc. Waterlogged items are pretty much just incubators for nasty mold and mildew at this point. For some things like books or clothes, you may be able to salvage them if you can properly dry them out. But anything too far gone just has to go, as painful as that is.
Stay On Mold Watch
Once you’ve gotten the basement relatively dried out, do a thorough check for any mold growth that’s already started taking root. That fuzzy stuff can bloom within just 24-48 hours after flooding, so be vigilant. If you spot any, you’ll need to treat it immediately with a mold killing solution or even just some bleach to stop it from spreading further.
Look, this whole drying out process is a real drag. But skimping on it now is just asking for an expensive, headache-inducing mold remediation nightmare down the road. You’ve got to be ruthless about eliminating every last bit of moisture and dampness, even if it takes days or weeks.
Assess the Damage
Once you’ve gotten that basement as dry as a bone, it’s time for a full damage assessment. As much as you might want to just shove this whole soggy situation out of your mind, you gotta take a long, hard look at what kind of toll the flooding took. Here’s what you’ll need to inspect:
Inspect the Foundation
This is a biggie – flooding can seriously weaken the structural foundation of your home if water was able to seep in. Do a careful check for any new cracks or concerning damage around the basement walls and floor.
If you spot anything worrisome, don’t try to be a hero. Get a professional foundation expert in there ASAP to assess if any repairs are needed before you make the situation worse.
Check for Structural Damage
While you’re examining every nook and cranny, keep an eye out for any warping, buckling or water stains on things like drywall, wood beams, and flooring caused by saturation.
Drywall acts like a sponge when it gets soaked, and wood can easily warp and twist out of shape. Anything looking a little too worse for wear may need to be repaired or replaced entirely.
Document Everything
As you’re inspecting, make sure to thoroughly document all the damage you find with photos and videos from multiple angles. You’ll need this evidence for any insurance claims down the road. Be really detailed – capture close-ups of problem areas, any ruined personal belongings, you name it. Having this record will make the claims process so much easier.
This probably isn’t how you envisioned spending your weekend. But taking the time now to properly assess what needs to be fixed, replaced or remediated will save you so much hassle and money in the long run. Stay vigilant, and you’ll get through this!
File an Insurance Claim
Dealing with a basement flood is stressful enough but getting that water extraction and repair process started can get pricey fast. That’s why you’ll want to look into filing an insurance claim ASAP to try and recoup some of those costs. Here’s what you need to do:
Review Your Policy
First thing’s first – dig out that homeowner’s insurance policy and read it over carefully. A lot of standard policies unfortunately don’t cover flood damage, especially if you live in a high-risk area like Western New York.
But if you wisely invested in separate flood insurance, then you’ll want to file a claim right away. Just be aware of the difference between “flood” and “water damage” when talking to your insurance rep.
Contact Your Agent
Once you understand what your policy covers, get on the horn with your insurance agent pronto. The sooner you can officially file that claim after the flooding, the better.
Your agent will want to see all the documentation you diligently took – photos/videos of the damage, itemized lists of any ruined belongings, receipts, the whole nine yards. Having that evidence organized makes the whole process so much smoother.
Work With Adjusters & Contractors
Depending on your policy, the insurance company may send out their own adjuster to assess the extent of the basement flood damage themselves. Don’t be a hero – let these professionals do their job evaluating the situation.
You’ll also want to line up some quotes from reputable local contractors for any repair or remediation work needed. Having those estimates ready shows the insurance company you’ve done your homework.
Look, filing an insurance claim can feel like a huge headache on top of an already messy situation. But it’s worth the effort to try and get some of those cleanup and repair costs covered, you know?
Clean and Sanitize the Area
Okay, so you’ve gotten that basement as dry as the Sahara and filed your insurance claim. Don’t start celebrating just yet though – there’s still the crucial step of giving that whole area a deep, thorough cleaning. Here’s how to do it right:
Disinfect Every Inch
Grab some rubber gloves and break out the bleach – it’s time to get scrubbing. Mix up a bleach-water solution and use it to wipe down every single surface that came into contact with the floodwater. We’re talking walls, floors, shelving, etc. The bleach will kill off any lingering germs or spores trying to set up shop.
For extra precaution, you may even want to use a disinfecting spray on top of the bleach solution. Be liberal with it and really let surfaces air dry completely before moving on. It’s better to be excessive here than risk mold issues down the line.
Air It All Out
Even once you’ve sanitized to your heart’s content, the drying out process isn’t over yet. You’ll want to keep those windows open and fans/dehumidifiers running for a good while to ensure there’s zero moisture left. Any dampness that lingers is just an invitation for mildew to bloom.
We cannot stress enough how crucial this cleaning and air-drying phase is. Taking a few extra days to be hyper-vigilant about sanitizing will pay off big time. Because once mold sets in? Game over – you’re in remediation territory. So be ruthless about getting that basement squeaky clean!
Surviving the Basement Flood Warzone
A flooded basement is pretty much every Western New York homeowner’s worst nightmare! Whether it was the spring snowmelt or one of our infamous summer deluges that caused your basement to flood, it’s a soggy situation. But don’t let it get you down! This step-by-step guide has got your back with all the tips and tactics needed to bring your basement back to shape.
Consider these instructions your official marching orders for battling the basement flood. We’ve covered all the bases – assessing foundation damage, filing insurance claims, you name it. Follow this game plan play-by-play, and you’ll emerge victorious.
If you’d still rather call in reinforcements, the team at Reimer has got your back. Our crew will make quick work of extracting any standing water and getting your basement back to fresh and dry condition. Rapid response is our specialty – just dial (716) 272-2371 to request backup stat. Don’t let a little flooding keep you down!
