Floods cause billions of property damage each year.
If you have a flooded basement, you are not alone. Flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is the most common of natural disasters, costing Americans over $2 billion each year on average. Several factors will direct your repair efforts including the height of the flood waters, the duration of the flood, and the extent of external damage. Approach a flooded home with caution. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Contact your insurance agent to begin the claim process. Before beginning any repairs, document all interior and exterior damage with photographs. Inventory all damaged property.
2. Turn off your home's electricity and gas after you enter your home. Unplug all appliances. Wear rubber boots, gloves and a dust mask or preferably an N-95 respirator to prevent inhaling mold or other contaminants.
3. Open the doors and windows to allow the air to circulate and to speed the drying process. If you have access to a portable generator, use fans to move air around the interior of your basement.
4. Remove any debris or mud from your basement. Because of the possibility of contamination from sewer and septic tank backups, treat all waste that you remove from your basement as potentially hazardous.
5. Hose down the walls and floors to remove any lingering mud or debris. Remove furniture, spraying down any items removed. Follow up with a mild solution of chlorine bleach. Always test on an inconspicuous area before applying. Discard floor coverings, being sure to inventory them for your insurance claim.
6. Clean floors with a wet vac or mop to prevent rotting and mold. Speed drying even further by running a dehumidifier. Use dessicants in areas with poor air circulation such as closets to absorb excess water. Dessicants are available from your home improvement center.
7. Remove any wall coverings, especially those made of vinyl. Water can become trapped within wallboards, creating a permanent mold hazard.
8. Inspect wallboards for damage or staining. Replace any waterlogged boards and soiled insulation. If your basement is paneled, pry the bottom of the panels from the wall to allow water to drain out and for the panels to dry. Remove insulation as necessary. Use a household disinfectant to clean the area behind wallboards or paneling.
9. Inspect water pipes for evidence of damage. Turn off the main water valve. Contact a professional to repair any damaged pipes.
10. Have electrical appliances such as your water heater or refrigerator professionally serviced and cleaned. You may want to ask for an estimate in case replacement offers a cheaper option.
11. Inspect the exterior walls of your basement. Repair any holes or other damage. After the walls have completed dried, apply waterproofing compounds on interior walls.
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