What to do when you have a flooded basement in Burlington?

Water damage can be very costly. If your basement floods, you could be facing thousands of dollars worth of repairs. It’s essential that you call for emergency plumbers in Burlington such as Waterman as quickly as possible if your basement starts to flood in order to get it under control. You don’t want the water spreading to other parts of the property. For every inch of water, the cost increases by a significant amount.

Even if you call emergency plumbers, it could still take them a few minutes to make it to your house. Water can spread a lot during those few minutes. There are a few things you can do yourself to prevent the problem from escalating.

Understanding Why Basements Flood

The sooner you can figure out the cause, the better. There are a number of causes for basements flooding:

• Sudden, heavy downpour of rain
• Snow melting in Spring
• Broken gutters
• Busted pipe(s)
• Damaged foundation
• Leaky windows
• Landscape changes

The water can come through crawlspace vents, windows, structural cracks, etc.

Guidelines for Dealing with Basement Flooding

• In addition to calling for plumbers, you will also want to call your insurance company for advice on clean-up procedures. They will probably require you to take photos of the damage and document all of the items that need to be repaired or replaced.
• Report the backup problem to the municipality to let them know that it is occurring or has occurred. This will help them determine if any work is required on the infrastructure. Call an electrician if there is reason to believe that any electrical items have been exposed to the water.
• Put your family’s safety before anything else. Stay out of the basement until the professional(s) arrive. Wet basements can cause numerous hazards, including electrical shock, chemicals, gas leaks, pollutants, etc. Only turn off the main power when you are absolutely certain it is safe to do so.
• If you suspect that the flooding is caused due to a sewage backup, do not run any water in the entire house. Turn off the washing machine, dishwasher, sinks, etc. Do not flush the toilets, as doing so will increase the flooding.
• Once professionals confirm to you that the basement is safe to walk through, you can begin removing the water with wet vacuums and buckets. If it is deep, you might need to hire a professional flood cleaning crew to come in and help.
• Wear protective clothing when cleaning. This includes gloves, boots, protective eyewear, disposable overalls, etc. Try salvaging your belongings. Take pictures of any belongings that cannot be salvaged and show them to your insurer. Any rugs or carpets on the basement floor will need to be professionally cleaned.  Wash your hands thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap after handling any items in the flood zone.
• If you are concerned that your basement could flood in the future, you can go ahead and start preparing today. Move all electrical devices to higher levels. If there are any valuable items in the basement, move them out. Seal vents and windows to prevent water from seeping through.

Most importantly, become acquainted with reliable, professional plumbers in Burlington such as Waterman.