5 Things to Do if Your Basement Floods in Mooresville, NC

2/16/2021 (Permalink)

Basements make a great place to store belongings and to hang out, but flooding can quickly turn it into a haven for mold growth and structural damage.

Over the years, many Mooresville-area customers have called because their basements have endured some form of damage. These incidents can manifest in many different ways, but one of the most common issues basement-owners face is flooding. Whether it’s due to a storm, a burst pipe, or some other cause, flooding can be a major problem. If you own a basement and don’t know what to do if and when it floods, we've got you covered.

1. Shut Off the Power

It's never safe to enter a flooded room when the power is still active, so your priority should be to turn off the gas and/or electricity. If you are unable to turn off the power, do not enter the basement until somebody can do so.

2. Identify the Water's Source

After you've shut off power to the basement, you should identify the problem's source so you can prevent additional damage. If a burst or leaky pipe is the problem, shut off your water immediately and call somebody to repair it. If it’s from rain or outside flooding, it may be best to wait until it stops before attempting to start the cleanup process

(Note: Please wear gloves and appropriate clothing when entering a flooded room. The water could quite possibly be contaminated and unsafe for contact.)

3. Start Removing the Water

Once you've completed the above steps, you should call a local water mitigation company to clean up the damage (such as our Mooresville-based team). But even while you're waiting for help to arrive, you should start removing the water because the longer it sits, the more likely you will have mold and other damage. You can use buckets, a sump pump, a mop, etc., but the main point is to get as much water out as quickly as possible.

4. Begin Drying Out the Basement

Once most of the water has been removed, you can focus on drying out the room. If there wasn’t much flooding, you might be inclined to do this yourself by placing several fans around the room, but be aware that if it’s not dried properly, you are leaving yourself open to mold and structural damage. If you’re not sure what to do, or if there was a lot of flooding, you will definitely want to hire a disaster restoration company.

5. Maintain Low Humidity Levels

You would ideally do this during the drying process as well, but it’s important that you use a dehumidifier or similar device to keep humidity at a relatively low level. Water damage often leads to mold growth, but without much humidity, it is not very likely to grow. If you hired a restoration company, this should be taken care of for you.

Recovering from Flooding

Basements might seem like an easy target for flooding, but all is not lost if yours ever becomes a victim. If water fills your Mooresville home or business, contact your local water cleanup company to help get you through the process and make it “Like it never even happened.”