What To Do First If Your Basement Floods

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Basement flooding in Glendale, AZ

Initials Steps to Take if Your Business Has a Basement Flood

Water seeks the lowest possible level. When a sump pump fails or floodwater enters your business, the basement is vulnerable to water damage. If your Glendale, AZ, business has a basement flood, you may benefit from this overview of the initial steps to take.

Address Safety

Before people or animals contact the floodwater, it’s important to safely disconnect your electrical power. If the panel is inaccessible, you can call the power company or a flood restoration service to assist you.
When the electrical has been disconnected, consider the following precautions before entering the flooded area:

• Wearing protective gloves, boots, and coveralls can prevent injuries.
  
• Closing the area to pets and children will protect them from potential danger.
  
• Placing fans and opening windows in the area will begin drying out the wet surfaces and help prevent mold growth.
  
  

These basement flood precautions will help ensure you are safe while assessing the damage and beginning the cleanup.

Develop a Cleanup Strategy

It’s important to assess your level of damage. When floodwater enters your business at ground level or below, it is considered extremely contaminated. It can contain sewage and chemical contaminants. If you have more than an inch or two of pooled water, it is recommended you consult with a water damage expert.
You can begin removing wet items and placing them in a garage or other drying area if your basement flood is very shallow. Wearing protective gear, use a wet vacuum to extract the water. You may need to power the equipment from a neighbor’s electricity or a generator.

Consult Your Insurance Agent

With cleanup underway, it is smart to contact your insurance agent. If you have flood insurance coverage, you should be able to file a claim for cleanup and restoration costs.
A flooded basement can feel overwhelming for a business owner and the staff. After addressing safety, you can assess your cleanup options based on the contamination level. Flood cleanup can be a long, time-consuming process for your company. The sooner you consult an expert and get the process started, the sooner your company will be back to business as usual.