3 Steps for Draining a Flooded Basement

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

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These Three Steps Can Help You Drain Your Flooded Basement

Basements come in handy when you need extra storage space or a place to shelter from dangerous storms; however, a basement flood can damage your home. The longer standing water remains in your basement, the more likely damage is to occur. These three steps can help you drain your flooded basement.

1. Take Safety Precautions

Basements often have electrical equipment and other materials that can become a safety hazard during a flood. Before attempting to pump out your basement, you should wait until floodwaters have receded. Once there is no longer standing water around the foundation of your home, you can proceed with draining the basement. Before you begin, shut off the electricity to the home and keep pets and children away from the basement.

2. Obtain the Equipment You Will Need

To clear your basement flood, you will need a submersible pump and a hose. You will also need a generator to run the pump and a heavy-duty extension cord. If the water in your basement is more than a few feet deep, you will need a nylon rope to lower the pump. Your insurance coverage may cover the cost to rent this equipment. You may also want to consider hiring a flood remediation company in Lakeland, FL, that should already have the necessary equipment to perform the job.

3. Remove the Water

If you will be doing the job yourself, you will need to lower the pump into the water with the rope and then once it is in place, plug in the extension cord and start the generator. When the water levels reduce to a few inches, you can move the pump to the lowest level in the basement.

Water in your basement can damage your foundation and encourage mold growth. Acting promptly to dry out your basement after a basement flood can reduce the amount of damage done to your home.