While rain keeps our country nice and green, it can wreak havoc on our homes. A major issue that it causes is flooding in people's basements. If your basement floods, do you know what to do? Here are some steps you can take:
Speak to your home insurance company. Insurance providers know what to do in these situations, and can assist you in finding the support you need to repair and clean up your flooded basement. Receipts from repairs should be kept in your files.
Increase air flow by opening up the windows. In a case where water is so high that it could make contact with your electrical outlets, if power cords are under the water, there are any frayed wires or sparks, shut off your home's electricity. Never step in the water if you see these dangers. Talk to your local power company to find out the correct procedure to keep you safe.
If there are hissing noises or an odor of gas, open the windows. When you shut off the gas, have a professional come in to restore it. If you don't know if the basement is safe, do not go down there. Wear good protective gear, like rubber boots, gloves, safety eyeglasses, and a mask. Sometimes sewage gets in the flood water, and dangerous bacteria is present.
Take photos of any damage to show to your insurance provider. If it's safe, take your property out of the basement. The quicker you can get your things out of the water, the less damaged your items will be.
If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it to remove water, along with mops and rags. Rugs on the floor need to be rolled back, and if they're wet, take them out to dry. Drying the basement will be faster if you use fans, and if you have a dehumidifier, use that as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When there is just one or two inches of water, the drywall will be fine right?
A. No, it is not okay. Water moves up the drywall for a few feet, and if there is insulation in the wall, it's even worse. Behind the drywall, mold will grow and you won't even see it. Cutting out and replacing the drywall is the only option.
Q. If there is mold in the home, what would be the negative health effects?
A. Symptoms include clogged sinuses, headaches, and difficulty breathing, and for those who have compromised immune systems or allergies, it's intensified. Mold will begin to grow under the carpeting or behind the drywall and on the insulation, completely out of sight. It's really important not to let it get to the mold stage. Growth of mold happens faster than people expect.
If you have insurance, you have a responsibility to minimize the damages caused by the flooding. Do whatever is necessary to protect your property, as long as you can do it safely. Don't throw away any damaged property until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to take a look at the damage.
Water damage is included in the majority of home insurance policies, but there are exclusions, so be informed about what they are. Your policy will likely include some water damage coverage, but you will need to ask your provider if you would like additional protection to be added.
Speak to your home insurance company. Insurance providers know what to do in these situations, and can assist you in finding the support you need to repair and clean up your flooded basement. Receipts from repairs should be kept in your files.
Increase air flow by opening up the windows. In a case where water is so high that it could make contact with your electrical outlets, if power cords are under the water, there are any frayed wires or sparks, shut off your home's electricity. Never step in the water if you see these dangers. Talk to your local power company to find out the correct procedure to keep you safe.
If there are hissing noises or an odor of gas, open the windows. When you shut off the gas, have a professional come in to restore it. If you don't know if the basement is safe, do not go down there. Wear good protective gear, like rubber boots, gloves, safety eyeglasses, and a mask. Sometimes sewage gets in the flood water, and dangerous bacteria is present.
Take photos of any damage to show to your insurance provider. If it's safe, take your property out of the basement. The quicker you can get your things out of the water, the less damaged your items will be.
If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it to remove water, along with mops and rags. Rugs on the floor need to be rolled back, and if they're wet, take them out to dry. Drying the basement will be faster if you use fans, and if you have a dehumidifier, use that as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When there is just one or two inches of water, the drywall will be fine right?
A. No, it is not okay. Water moves up the drywall for a few feet, and if there is insulation in the wall, it's even worse. Behind the drywall, mold will grow and you won't even see it. Cutting out and replacing the drywall is the only option.
Q. If there is mold in the home, what would be the negative health effects?
A. Symptoms include clogged sinuses, headaches, and difficulty breathing, and for those who have compromised immune systems or allergies, it's intensified. Mold will begin to grow under the carpeting or behind the drywall and on the insulation, completely out of sight. It's really important not to let it get to the mold stage. Growth of mold happens faster than people expect.
If you have insurance, you have a responsibility to minimize the damages caused by the flooding. Do whatever is necessary to protect your property, as long as you can do it safely. Don't throw away any damaged property until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to take a look at the damage.
Water damage is included in the majority of home insurance policies, but there are exclusions, so be informed about what they are. Your policy will likely include some water damage coverage, but you will need to ask your provider if you would like additional protection to be added.
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For further details, please visit this blog, or if you're a first time home buyer visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.
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