It is a sad thing that unfinished and even finished basements are the first to be subject to the devastating effects of flooding. One of the reasons for a flooded basement is that some of the storm gutters and downspouts are clogged or if not, are plagued with holes. This can result to in water continuously flowing over them and gushing through the perimeter of the house and down to the basements. In some cases, the water level gets too high in the ground and requires water damage restoration. This causes the ground to become saturated and if the rain continues to pour; the rainwater will surely find somewhere to go. Usually, water will overflow to the surface of the ground and once your house's foundations exhibit cracks, water will find an entrance there.



Most people living in areas where floods are common know this problem and as a solution, they've chosen to have a sump pump. But if your home is undergoing land settling, and this is causing your house's foundation to weaken and develop cracks, you may end up with a flooded basement.

Once you have discovered that you have a flooded basement, the first thing you should do is of course, to remove the water. In case there is only minor flooding, all you need to do is mop up the wet areas or you can damp it with old towels. But if there is major flooding, it is the right time to bring out your weapon - a portable sump pump, wet shop vacuum, or wet vacuum. If you don't have any of these tools in your home, you may purchase these at the nearest shop or you can borrow from someone that you know. Another option is to look into your local telephone directory and find a shop where you can rent the equipment.

But before you start doing the job in your flooded basement, it is wise that you determine first which type equipment to use. The sump pump will necessitate an outlet where the water can be drained out. Think about this - if the basement is flooding, it is most probable that the exit drains are inaccessible for draining purposes. Water damage restoration protocols say that in this case, you will need a long hose to be attached to the sump pump. You can simply hang it out of your window and as far away from your home as possible.

If you choose a wet vacuum to drain up your flooded basement, it will only take a few minutes for you to empty the holding receptacle. This is because the wet shop vacuum is capable of holding more water. A drawback however, is that it will be heavier and tougher to empty especially if you are trying to remove all the water out of your home.

Once you have the equipment then it's time to begin the real water damage restoration - the difficult task of removing water. The best place from where you can start draining all the water is the area that will likely sustain the most damage. Another option is to start at the highest section of the house, where water is lowest and then you could work your way through the larger pools of water.

Another option to get rid of your flooded basement is to use a dehumidifier. When using this equipment, you should close the windows and doors so as to get the best results. But keep an eye on the dehumidifier's container and make sure to empty it as needed.

If you want best results, you may hire some professionals to do the job of restoring your flooded basement.