Rain is defined as moisture condensed from the atmosphere that falls visibly in separate drops. A single drop of rain on its own in theory is seemingly harmless but when over 1.5 trillion drops of rainfall from the sky during an average rainstorm, they are anything but harmless.
The dangers of flash flooding can not only be a risk to your safety if you’re out on the road driving but have the potential to cause some serious water damage to your home. If the rain is falling too fast, sometimes your sump pump just cannot keep up and your basement ends up taking on water. Storms can also cause a serious clog to your storm drain which allows for the water from the storm to back up into your home, causing a flood.
What should you do when you discover that there is a swimming pool in your basement? Unfortunately, you have to wait until the rain has finished dealing with the messy, damaging aftermath.
Cut the power – First things first, turn off all of the power on the floor that has taken on water. This should be done before you even set foot into the water, the last thing you want on top of all of the water in your home is to be electrocuted. Once you’ve turned off the water, put on closed-toed shoes to protect your feet.
Locate the source – In order to quickly and efficiently remove the water from your home, you need to find out, how the water got into your home in the first place. Check the basement floor drain to see if it was clogged during the flood. If this is the case, unclogging it will provide an easy place for the water to escape.
If there is no basement drain, use a sump pump, pool pump, or wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the water. The amount of water present will determine what you use to get rid of the water. If the water is over six inches deep, consider calling a water removal company that will quickly remove the water.
Sort through the damage – Anything that was submerged in water that you want to keep will need at least 48 hours to completely dry out. If possible, place the water-logged items outside or in a well-ventilated location to dry. Inspect these items after 48 hours, you don’t want mold or bacteria to grow or develop. If the item appears to be too damaged, toss it in the garbage. If the room that took on water has carpeting, tear it up. In most cases, the water will have permanently damaged the carpet and it should be torn up and be replaced.
Drying time – Before you begin cleaning, give the basement or room a few days to completely dry out. Open as many doors and windows as to let in the fresh air and to help air-dry the area. Using fans and a dehumidifier will help expedite the process, just be sure to regularly empty the dehumidifier.
Cleaning – Wash the walls and floors to remove mud, dirt, and other debris left behind from the water. Any damaged insulation and drywall could spread mold and will need to be thrown away. Once everything is completely dry, use an anti-mildew spray.
Once you’ve done the best to clean, call your insurance company to see if you have flood coverage. If you don’t, you may want to take this opportunity and add it to your policy.
