How to Clean Up After Water Damage

It’s a homeowner’s worst nightmare to discover a flooded basement. Although prevention is key, sometimes there are unforeseen problems that can cause it. Whether or not you have found yourself in this disastrous scenario, there are a few things you can do to recover. Here is how you should clean up after water damage from a basement flood.

Safety First

The number one concern you should have is the safety of you and your household. There are a lot of ways that water on the floor can make a space dangerous, even if it’s just a puddle. Before you check your sump pump or go to turn off the water, make sure that you have a safe path in your basement. Do not step in water that is touching wires or plugged in electronics, because you could risk electrocution. Also, if your basement floor is concrete, put towels over any puddles so that no one will slip and fall.

Personal Belongings

Usually, the greatest toll a basement flood can take is on your belongings. It might not be possible to salvage everything, but you can prioritize and hopefully minimize the damage. For example, grab your important papers and family photos and spread them out to dry. Sometimes, if they are stuck together, you can carefully pull them apart; otherwise, you might have to let them dry a little to see if you can separate them without tearing. With any personal belongings, it’s best to get them out of the water as soon as possible to see if they can be saved. However, the main exception is electronics, which you should always dispose of if they have been in the water.

Call a Professional

It can be a huge task to try to clean up your entire basement yourself. Even worse, a basement flood could be a sign of a bigger problem. You should contact the help and advice of a professional who can find and fix the problem that started the flood.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today!

If you are ready to get a professional to waterproof your home’s basement, contact All Aspects Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420. To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,  YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.