4 Items That Can be Saved After a Basement Flood
Water damage is known to be the most common form of property damage due to the various ways that it can occur. One way your property can sustain damage is from flooding. Whether the flood occurred as a result of a natural source like a storm or because of an internal issue like a burst pipe, flood cleanup needs to be completed as soon as possible.
Effects of Flooding on Items in the Basement
The water will cause damage not only to your property, but to your furniture and other personal belongings as well. Porous building materials absorb the excess water and moisture which can cause major damage to these materials. This absorption also makes it easy for the water to spread throughout the property and worsen the damage. Furthermore, the more water that is present, the higher the risk for serious structural damage and mold growth.
The basement, in particular, is one area of the home that is especially vulnerable to flood damage. Water from the outside can seep into the basement through cracks and other openings in the foundation, and water pipes can leak or burst open, spreading water throughout the area.
Some people simply use their basement for storage while others have finished basements filled with furniture and other personal content. No matter how you use your basement, a basement flood has the potential to ruin your belongings. But experiencing flood damage does not necessarily mean everything has been destroyed. Depending on the amount of water, certain things can be saved.
Continue reading to learn more about what items can be saved after a basement flood and how to salvage them.
1. Appliances
If an appliance has suffered any damage in a flood, then it should not be used until a qualified professional approves it because it may be unsafe. This is because a majority of appliances have motors and other components that are water sensitive. The water can degrade these parts of the appliance.
Appliances can be salvageable, but it depends on the amount of flooding that occurred. If the floodwater is only a few inches deep, then there is a good chance the affected appliances can be repaired. However, if the floodwater is deeper, then the cost of repairs can be high. In such a case, it is better to simply replace the appliance.
2. Electronics
Everyone knows that water and electronics are not a good fit. If circuits are exposed to water, then they might be damaged and eventually become corroded. But this does not mean water-damaged electronics are unsalvageable. With professional water damage restoration services, there is a chance your electronics can be saved. The items are taken to a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment for treatment, and these controls will help minimize the amount of damage.
3. Furniture
Depending on the type of furniture that sustained flood damage, there is a chance it can be salvaged.
Special drying methods might be required for basic wooden furniture to prevent effects like warping, but they can still be salvaged through refinishing and sanitization work. However, wood veneer furniture is usually unsalvageable because the water removes lamination.
If you have upholstered furniture that was damaged in a basement flood, the value of the piece is worth considering. If the furniture is a valuable antique, then the price of restoration is worth it. Otherwise, the fabric and cushioning are not worth the restoration costs and are better off being thrown away. These materials become contaminated and might have absorbed toxic floodwater.
4. Paper Products
When paper products experience flood damage, they can be salvaged using professional services. However, immediate action is crucial. Papers need to be separated from each other and dried in a gentle manner before any mold can grow. Books need absorbent inserts to blot the numerous pages before air drying. Any damaged photos can be saved using specialized freeze-drying methods.
However, the floodwater’s toxicity is an important factor to consider. If the water contained toxins and other harmful elements, then it is best to not salvage them due to the potential health issues they can cause.
Flood Cleanup in the Basement
If your home has a basement flood, call for flood cleanup as soon as possible. Without immediate action, the flood damage will only get worse, and the chances of salvaging damaged content decreases.
With assistance from professional water damage restoration services, the excess water and moisture in your basement will be removed, and the affected area will be dried thoroughly. These actions are done using advanced dehumidification and water extraction equipment. These are crucial steps, because they will prevent mold from growing in response to the excess water.
Professional technicians will then clean and restore damaged areas and items, including carpeting, rugs, furnishings, electronics, and photos. In the event mold has already grown in your basement, then technicians can provide mold removal services as well.
With water damage restoration help, your flooded basement will be clean and safe to be in again, and your damaged belongings will be restored.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.
