Flood Damage Control In A Flooded Basement: Some Do'S And Don'Ts
By Jacklyn Hartfield
Flooded basement is a major problem for a number of homeowners and can prove to be a frustrating and scary experience leaving you high and dry about what to do in such a stressful situation. The following simple but basic guidelines can help you overcome panic and get your house back to normalcy.
While entering a flooded basement, you must exercise caution to ensure safety by keeping few important things in mind. Never enter a basement that is inundated with flood waters before turning off power from the main switch to avoid any chance of getting electric shock. Floods can make your building unsafe. It is better to first check for any structural damage including cracks and cave-ins of walls and flooring. Always turn off gas and fuel valves to keep yourself on the safe side as accidental gas leak can trigger major tragedy in your flood ravaged home. Keep all the doors and windows wide open to improve cross ventilation into your flooded basement.
For pumping out water from your flooded basement, never commit the blunder of using an electric pump that is connected to the power supply of your own house or building. Instead use a pump that is connected to an outside power line or simply use a gas pump. Do not act in a rush to pump out water immediately from the basement. Wait until the water level recedes a little otherwise it can prove dangerous for the foundations of the building and remove the water slowly each day.
A flooded basement can make you and your family exposed to all sorts of health hazards apart from the damaging effect on the flooring, foundation, and walls of your building. Your home can become a pond of water with all your valuable possessions lying submerged in the mud and dirty water. It is very important to protect your house from possible damaging effects resulting from the flood waters as this can cost you a whooping price to be spent on the repairs of your basement structures. If water remains in your basement for a long time, it could lead to growth of mold, mildew. Termites and fungus could also abound in every nook and corner of your home as a result of excessive moisture, causing a damaging effect on your furniture & fixtures, wooden flooring and other valuables. You must take immediate steps to make your basement free from humidity for the health and safety of all those concerned.
Purchasing full coverage insurance against floods, and keeping your important valuables as well as documents in a safety box, preferably waterproof, is a wise decision in the event of imminent flood situation.
Flooded basement can lead to cracks in the walls or floors as a result of excessive dampness and leakage. To keep your foundation intact and save a huge amount of money in getting your flooded basement repaired after flood damage, waterproofing of basement can prove to be a good investment. It controls water infiltration, minimizes humidity and dampness in your basement, thus preventing any serious damage to the building structure. It is best to hire a professional for waterproofing your basement.
About the author
Jacklyn Hartfield is a house issue disaster writer for Flood Damage and Flood Damage Control from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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