Tips for Flooded basement cleanup in Columbia MO

A flood in your home or business can be a devastating experience. And, as the lowest part of a property, it’s often basements that receive the worst of any flood damage in Columbia, Missouri.

Whether caused by extreme weather, a burst pipe, poor drainage or a backed-up sewer system, a flooded basement often results in the same thing: a major cleanup and potentially extensive water damage.

Serious water damage can threaten the structural integrity of your home, and as more time passes, the more expensive the repairs will be. The floodwater itself can also pose an immediate health risk.

What’s more, dangerous mold and mildew can spread fast. And once it starts growing, killing and removing for good can be very costly.

That’s why knowing what to do if your basement floods is so important.

Here are flooded basement cleanup tips used by the professionals at ABC Environmental Contracting Services themselves.

1) Safety first!

When dealing with a flooded basement, especially in an active flood situation, you must act quickly to limit the damage and overall repair cost. That said, you mustn’t do so at the expense of the safety of the building’s occupants or your own.

If your safety is in danger, you should, of course, evacuate the area and move to higher ground or a safe location away from the floodwaters.

However, when not faced with immediate danger, as always, before entering any flooded area, you must ensure that the power supply is off.

To avoid contact with contaminated water and other health hazards, you must also wear protective clothing, such as a mask, goggles, gloves and rubber boots.

2) Address the source of the water

In the event of a natural flood (caused by an extreme weather event, for example), it’s always a good idea to check if any drains are blocked.

If you have some available, you should also use sandbags to redirect the water flow to prevent it from entering your property or getting close to important infrastructure.

A man-made flood (caused by a burst pipe or overflowing appliance), however, should be approached differently. You must turn off the water source, or mains water, as quickly as possible to stop the water flow.

This will prevent further water damage and give you time to assess the situation and identify any leaks.

Read About - Common Water Damage Problems

3) Remove standing water

Once the water has been stopped from entering your basement, you must quickly address the standing water and external debris or mud.

If left for too long, especially if mixed with sewage, this can quickly become a breeding ground for harmful viruses and bacteria.

Specialist equipment can deal with standing water: if it’s shallow, a wet-dry vacuum can remove it. However, if the water is deep, you may need to use a submersible pump.

4) Remove rotten wood and damaged drywall

When water damage is serious, you will, unfortunately, have to discard carpets and rugs, upholstery, paneling, drywall, flooring or subflooring.

These act as sponges for contaminated water and become serious health hazards even after they’ve been dried out.

Rotting wood also needs to be removed.

If the water is clean or the material can be fully dried in less than 24 hours, it may be salvageable.

5) Dry out the basement

Once the standing water and damaged materials have been removed, the area must be dried out thoroughly to prevent mold colonies from forming.

With the help of industrial fans and dehumidifiers, this can be completed within a couple of days. 

6) Clean and disinfect all affected areas

Once completely dry, you must clean, sanitize and deodorize affected areas to kill any bacteria or fungi that have begun to germinate in moist areas.

7) Start the restoration

Once everything has been dried out and cleaned, you can then start with any necessary repairs.

The scope of the restoration will depend on the extent of the damage and your insurance policy or restoration budget.

8) Get help from water damage restoration experts

To deal with a flooded basement cleanup properly and to ensure the safety of your building’s occupants, it’s best that you don’t carry out the restoration yourself.

By hiring a flood cleanup company, they can immediately set to work on mitigating further damage and health risks and restoring your property.

Thanks to specialized equipment, they can tackle the initial clean-up and remove as much standing water and moisture as possible. Their timely and targeted approach will minimize the amount of damage you face.

Rapid flood response in Central Missouri

If you have a flooded basement, call a trustworthy water damage restoration company as soon as possible. After all, the most significant damage is often caused in the first 24 hours.

ABC Environmental Contracting Services In Columbia professional damage restoration experts can help with any water damage restoration or flood cleanup problem.

With experienced and qualified technicians on standby 24/7, help can quickly be on the scene of a flooding emergency in Columbia, Fulton or Jefferson City MO. That way, work can start to restore your property to its pre-loss condition ASAP.

Call (573) 928-2668 today and get a free quote.