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 flooding and heavy rain enters basements easily through seepage and cracks in the foundation.  Basements are also vulnerable to non-natural flooding from burst pipes, sewage backups, and major leaks from the water heater or washing machine.  Extensive basement flooding causes considerable damage to the flooring, building materials, and items in your basement and it can also cause mold or mildew 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 flooding and stop more water from coming in.  Once the restoration professionals find the source, they will fix it and form a restoration plan based on the level of flooding and damage.  These professionals will take the right steps and precautions if the flooding contains sewage or other biohazard materials.

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 flooding.  Restoration professionals report the damage and their findings to your insurance company to help figure out coverage options.

3. Begin the Restoration

Reputable restoration companies begin the flood damage restoration immediately after evaluating the damage.  You should not have to wait several days for the restoration to begin after the initial evaluation.

4. Water Extraction

Professionals who provide flood damage restoration 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 repair 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 mold growth.  Restoration 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 insulation.  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 lead to mold growth.  Once the water is removed, restoration 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, restoration professionals dry the wet materials with advanced drying 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 drying process takes between 3-5 days.

9. Look for Mold

Many instances of basement flooding lead to mold growth.  Reputable restoration companies check for signs of mold and offer mold remediation services if there is a problem.

10. Restoration of the Damage

After the basement is dried and cleaned, the restoration professionals will inspect the structural damage and work with your insurance company to form a reconstruction plan.  A quality restoration 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 mold or mildew growth.  Flood damage restoration 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.

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.