What If Your West Hartford Basement Floods After a Storm?

10/12/2021 (Permalink)

If your basement floods after a storm, call SERVPRO of West Hartford for fast and complete water damage cleanup.

Many different kinds of storms can cause a flood in your basement. It could be an extended series of rainstorms that overwhelms drains and sump pumps. Perhaps it’s a hurricane that drops vast amounts of water all at once. Maybe it’s a winter cold snap that freezes and bursts a pipe in your basement. Or perhaps it’s a sudden thaw that sends water gushing toward your foundation.

Whatever the cause, flooding in your basement needs to be dealt with promptly to prevent further damage from the water, including the potential for a stubborn mold infestation. We’ve outlined the steps to take as soon as you know you have water in your basement—and although we include tips on how to dry out your basement and property, we strongly recommend that you at least have a professional water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of West Hartford evaluate your damage, if not handle the entire cleanup.

SERVPRO will approach your flooding using our organized, time-tested method that prevents damage down the road. We respond 24/7 to your emergency, stop the water damage, check for signs of structural damage, take precise moisture measurements, pump and dry out all the water and moisture, and evaluate, treat and restore your affected personal items, furniture and home. We also help coordinate and expedite your homeowners insurance claim!

First Things First

These are the essential first steps to take when there’s water in your basement.

• Be quick: Your goal is to minimize the damage, so begin cleanup quickly. If it’s a widespread storm or flood, many others in the area will be contacting water damage professionals, too, so don’t hesitate to call for help ASAP.
• Be careful: Safety comes first, so begin by shutting off the electricity to the basement—if you can’t reach your electric panel, hire an electrician to come out and shut it off. Be cautious when walking in your basement: put on protective gear, such as gloves and boots, a perhaps a mask and goggles. Watch your balance on the slippery floor.
• Cut off the water: If you have a burst pipe, turn off the house’s water at the main valve.

Removing Water and Drying Out

Try to get all the moisture out of your basement and possessions within 48 hours.

• Remove the water: Focus first on getting the water out with a sump pump, a wet/dry vac or a mop and bucket. Check your floor drain (if you have one) to be sure it’s clear.
• Dry things out: Try to get everything dried out within 48 hours to prevent the possibility of mold. Drag your wet furniture and possessions from the basement either to another area of the home or outside.
• Goodbye, carpet, drywall and insulation: Almost always, you’ll have to rip up and toss out your carpeting, pad and other flooring—and any wet or damaged drywall and insulation.
• Dry out the basement: The standing water may be gone, but there’s still moisture in your structure, furnishings and possessions. Open all the windows and doors and run fans and dehumidifiers for at least several days.
• Clean and sanitize: Finally, wash everything—walls, floor, furniture, possessions—with a strong disinfectant to prevent mold growth.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of West Hartford has specialized training and experience in natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation, fire restoration services and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of West Hartford (860.206.6141) any time.

If your home or business suffers damage from a storm or other natural disaster, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141

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SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of West Hartford
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
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Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.206.6141
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If your home or business suffers damage from a storm or other natural disaster, call SERVPRO of West Hartford today at 860.206.6141