A wet basement can be hazardous. This environment is the perfect place for mold and mildew to thrive. They can also cause breathing issues in many people. We recommend that you contact us right away if you are dealing with water damage in the basement.
Our team of pros can assist anyone living in the Richmond area. We have dealt with this issue many times in the past and have the experience to help you get through this with minimal water damage- as long as you act fast.
Plus, a lot more can happen when your basement floods. We put this article together to help you and let you know what steps you can take, should it happen. Let’s get started.
How Basement Flooding Happens
There are many reasons that a basement can flood. A pipe may break or a particularly rainy week can cause water to seep into your basement. If your yard has a slant, it may also cause water to pool near the foundation of your home. Your sump pump could have failed, allowing water to build up.
No matter the cause, you will need to call us right away. The longer the water sits, the more damage that can occur. We will help you through the cleanup process and ensure your home is completely dry.
What Can Happen if a Basement Floods
If you were to leave the water unchecked, a lot of bad things could happen. Contact us for Richmond water damage restoration right away to prevent the following.
Property and Home Damage
Water that is left alone for too long can cause a lot of damage to your floor, furniture, appliances, and electronics. This may even cause your appliances to fail later on.
However, water is very dangerous to your home’s foundation. During flooding, water puts a lot of pressure on your basement walls, which might separate your home from the foundation. Standing water also attracts fast-growing mold. That comes with its own set of issues.
Health Hazards
You will need to be careful while in a flooded basement. Start by ensuring the power is off and that the water has not made contact with any circuits or outlets. If you are unsure of what to do, contact us right away.
Mold is another health risk. While you might have done your best to dry the basement, mold can still grow within a few days of flooding. You will want to reach out to us. We can test your basement for any signs of mold spores, then come back with proper treatment.
Mold can be invisible. It grows behind baseboards, wallpaper, and even under carpets. It releases spores into the air which you then breathe, which will damage your health over time. You will want to have your home tested ASAP after a flood.
What to do When Your Basement Floods
We have spent many years cleaning flooded basements for Richmond residents. The ones who react the fastest to the situation always have an easier time afterward. These are some steps you will want to take if your home floods.
Shut Off the Water
If a pipe is causing the flooding, you will want to shut it off right away. You can do this at the water main and shut off only the pipe leading to the basement. If you are unsure which is which, you can temporarily shut off all pipes until you know what you are dealing with.
Our team will be able to help you through every step of the process once we arrive. Shutting off the water source prevents further damage from happening until we get there.
If your basement has a drain pump, make sure it stays clear. If it is clogged, the drain can not get rid of the water.
Remove Water
Depending on the amount of water, you will want to use a bucket, sump pump, towels, or a mop. You do not want to leave the water to stand on its own, as it can cause damage and grow mold.
Take any wet items out of the basement to dry. You will not want to touch any electronics even if the electricity is turned off. We will let you know what you can do during this step. Our team will also assist you with changing the carpeting and anything else you need.
Dry the Basement
Next, you will want to give your basement several days to dry. Open windows and doors to increase airflow and ventilation. If you have fans or dehumidifiers, you will want to set them up as well.
Air drying the basement like this will speed up the process- meaning that mold has less time to grow. Your foundation will also be much less likely to be harmed the sooner you start drying the basement.
Prevention for the Future
You do not want your basement to flood again in the future. To avoid this, you will need to consult with one of our experts. They will be able to determine what caused the basement to flood, then let you know what steps to take to fix the problem.
If your basement leaks every time it rains, you are going to have a lot of costly expenses to fix your home. We recommend taking care of the problem as soon as you can. We can do all of the water clean up for you.
Why Choose VRS?
At Virginia Restoration, we offer the best water clean up services in the Richmond area. We have a lot of experience working with the basements here and know we can safely and efficiently clean up the water. The sooner you act, the less damage you will receive.
Overall, we are always available to help. If your basement floods, be sure to contact us right away!
