When you are dealing with a flooded basement, you need to be efficient in drying and cleaning it up to minimize the damage that it can do to your property. Before you do this, you must remember that safety needs to come first in everything that you do. To keep you informed, read along as we give out the different safety tips that you need to remember when you are faced with the problem of a flooded basement.



* If you have a flooded basement, notify your home insurance company immediately. If you are renting, notify your landlord. Your home insurance may cover the damages, call them up to check if they do and file your claim as soon as possible.

* You can also wait for the waters to get drained before you step in your basement. But, if you decide to walk on your flooded basement, make sure that the main electric switch is turned off to avoid any dangers of electrocution.

* Use protective clothing when entering your flooded basement. Put on rubber boots and disposable rubber gloves to avoid any exposure to bacteria and other contaminants that might be in the water.

* Do not allow your children and pets to go inside your flooded basement.

* If your electrical equipment is wet, do not attempt to turn it on and use it. Contact your local service technician to assess if your appliances can still work. Touching the wet appliances might lead to electrocution so be very careful.

* If you stored food in your flooded basement, dispose of it immediately to avoid food spoilage. Do not attempt to consume it because it might cause food poisoning.

* Move out all your belongings inside the flooded basement quickly. Keep in mind that molds just need 24-48 hours to grow and you can minimize this by drying your things quickly.

* Open basement doors and windows to increase the drying speed.

* If your flooded basement has drainage, locate it quickly and make sure that there is nothing stuck in it that is preventing it from draining the water.

* Wash your basement floor and walls which were submerged in the water with clean water, then soap it and rinse it with warm water. You can make your own disinfectant solution which you can use to clean all the areas which came in contact with the contaminated water. You can make your own disinfectant solution by mixing 8 tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach in one gallon of clean water.

* If you want to drain the water from your flooded basement quickly, you can do so with the use of a sump pump or wet vacuum. If you don't have on it will be better if you rent one. Contact your local appliance rental center to inquire. Remember to practice safety also when you are using these kinds of equipment.

A flooded basement can be somewhat overwhelming, but if you know what should be done to minimize the damage, then you'll be okay with it. Before making any move to drain or clean your flooded basement, remember the safety tips mentioned above so that you will avoid any more danger.