10 Steps Used by Professionals to Restore Flooded Basements

A flooded basement like this is a very common problem
The basement is the most commonly flooded area of a home for several reasons. Natural floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More and heavy rain enters basements easily through seepageSeepage is the slow movement of water or other fluids throug... More and cracks in the foundation. Basements are also vulnerable to non-natural floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More from burst pipes, sewageSewage is wastewater containing biological and chemical cont... More backups, and major leaks from the water heater or washing machine. Extensive basement floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More causes considerable damage to the flooring, building materials, and items in your basement and it can also cause moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More or mildewMildew is a type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces, typi... More growth which is detrimental to your health. If you experience a flooded basement, call a professional immediately that provides flood damage restoration. The following is the basic 10 step process used by professionals for flood damage cleanup.
1. Find the Source of the Flooding
The first step is to find the source of the basement floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More and stop more water from coming in. Once the restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals find the source, they will fix it and form a restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More plan based on the level of flooding and damage. These professionals will take the right steps and precautions if the floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More contains sewageSewage is wastewater containing biological and chemical cont... More or other biohazard materialsBiohazard materials are substances that pose a risk to human... More.
2. Inform your Insurance Provider
The insurance coverage in regards to flood damage varies and depends on certain factors such as the cause of the floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More. RestorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals report the damage and their findings to your insurance company to help figure out coverage options.
3. Begin the Restoration
Reputable restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More companies begin the flood damage restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More immediately after evaluating the damage. You should not have to wait several days for the restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More to begin after the initial evaluation.
4. Water Extraction
Professionals who provide flood damage restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More have truck mounted water extraction equipment and dehumidifiers to remove standing water and moisture from the affected materials including flooring, furnishings, and other objects. These professionals also repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More any damage caused by the excess water.
5. Carpet Restoration
The carpet is especially vulnerable to flood damage because it absorbs water so easily. The excess water can cause serious damage to the fibers and backing while also increasing the risk of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth. RestorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals pull up the carpeting and padding to evaluate the damage and restore what can be saved. You should never try removing permanent carpeting or flooring on your own, let the professionals do it.
6. Sheetrock, Insulation, and Baseboards
Sheetrock and baseboards can absorb small amounts of water which can cause them to swell or buckle. This can affect the wall framing as well as the insulationInsulation is a material used in buildings to reduce the tra... More. Restoration professionals will remove these materials and save as much as they can.
7. Cleaning and Disinfection
Flood water likely contains microorganisms that can be hazardous to your health and its presence can leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More to moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth. Once the water is removed, restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals use advanced cleaning products to clean and sanitize the area and materials affected by the flood.
8. Drying Process
After the flood water is removed, restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals dry the wet materials with advanced dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More equipment. They place air movers and dehumidifiers around the affected area as well as high tech air scrubbers to remove odors and contaminants from the air. The dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More process takes between 3-5 days.
9. Look for Mold
Many instances of basement floodingFlooding is the overflow or accumulation of water in areas t... More leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More to moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More growth. Reputable restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More companies check for signs of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More and offer mold remediation services if there is a problem.
10. Restoration of the Damage
After the basement is dried and cleaned, the restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals will inspect the structural damage and work with your insurance company to form a reconstruction plan. A quality restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More service provider is committed to restoring your basement to its original, pre-flood condition.
If you walk downstairs in your home only to discover a flooded basement, call a trusted professional for flood damage cleanup immediately. Any hesitation allows the water to spread further and deeper into the affected materials and increase the risk of moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More or mildewMildew is a type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces, typi... More growth. Flood damage restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals follow an effective, step by step process to remove all water and moisture as well as clean and restore your basement back to its original condition.








