Basement Water Removal

Removing water from a flooded basement can often be an extremely difficult job to do, especially if you don’t have the proper equipment in your household. Not only are basements large and can accept vast amounts of water, but they are also hard to reach and aren’t really tailored for big jobs such as water removal.

There are many reasons why basements get flooded. Sometimes it can be because of a leaking pipe and old installations. In other cases, mother nature is the one we should “thank” – heavy rainfall or storms can pump gallons of water into your basement. In both cases, water extraction is mandatory since that basement water isn’t going anywhere.

In this article, we’ll talk more about flooded basement water removal since it’s a specific process that differs from other water extraction methods. We’ll see what is the first thing you can do in case of flooded basement, talk about the process of water removal and give you different tips to make your basements water-free.

Flooded Basement Water Removal

Basement flooding can happen to anyone. In most cases, it’s not the fault of the house owner, and you can’t really do much to be proactive and stop it before it happens. Things such as basement flooding shows us how water can be a tricky foe to battle, and how it can cause big damage to the household. 

If it happens to you, the first thing you have to do is not to panic. Of course it will be hard to do the water extraction by yourself, and that’s why your first step should be to call a basement water removal service that will take the matter in their own hands.

But before the professionals arrive, it’s important to know what you can do to ensure that the basement is safe.

What is the First Thing To Do if My Basement Floods?

Before professionals come to do a basement water damage cleanup you can help them out by doing your own inspection, from a safe distance. Ensure that all electricity is shut down and that there isn’t any electrical device near the water.

If it is possible, determine the source of the flood – this is in order to save time for the professionals and point it out to them when they arrive. Check if the source of the flood is a leak in a pipe or, for example, a heavy rainfall.

If the burst pipe is the cause of the flood, turn off the water source. This is to make flooded basement water removal much easier, as you don’t want an extra amount of water. Last but not least, check for insurance. This is important as in most cases, insurance will cover the cost of basement water removal and you won’t have to worry about it.

Causes of Basement Floods

We mentioned that there are different causes of basement floods, but let’s cover this in more detail. Different causes of basement floods need different ways of treatment, so it’s very important to distinguish one from another:

• Burst pipe/broken water heater
• Rain and storms
• Hydrostatic pressure pushing water from soil into basement
• Water backing up from overwhelmed/clogged drain system

Pointing out the source of flood will also tell the professionals to what degree is water damage restoration possible.

Keeping Your Basement Water Free

Even though basement floods are hard to predict, there are few things which you can do to ensure that the potential for their occurrence is minimized. We all know how water drying of certain materials can be challenging, so you should definitely be proactive:

• Get a basement water removal pump;
• Clean your gutters and rain spouts
• Paint your basement walls with waterproof colours
• Call professionals to waterproof your basement

How to do a Basement Water Removal?

Water extraction from your basement can be a hard thing to do if you don’t have knowledge and necessary equipment. This is why it’s always a good idea to call one of the professional basement water removal companies to do it for you. But, if you want to DIY, then we suggest doing the next steps:

• Remove water with a pump, mops or buckets
• Dry out your items for 48 hours
• Dry out the carpet outside
• Wash your floors and walls
• Call professionals