A flooded basement can be extremely stressful, creating a nightmare to deal with. Storms, plumbing issues, sewage backups and other water disasters can fill your basement with significant amounts of standing water and leave you with wet furniture, floating possessions, wet flooring and carpeting, slimy concrete, damaged personal possessions, and a massive headache.
It’s common to feel overwhelmed after a basement flood. If this problem isn’t addressed properly, it can result in significant structural damage to your home and potentially create serious health hazards for your family. The good news is water damage restoration companies are highly experienced in handling basement flood cleanup, and they can ensure the entire process is completed properly. This gives you peace of mind that all health and safety issues will be addressed, and your home will be restored to its pre-damaged condition.
At Just Right Cleaning & Construction, we understand that you likely have a lot of questions in the aftermath of your basement flood, and we’re here to help. The following guide will help you understand what is involved in basement flood cleanup so that you have realistic expectations for what lies ahead.
Common Causes of Flooded Basements
The first step in water damage restoration after a basement flood is to identify the cause of the flood. The specific cause of your issue will play an important role in developing the most effective restoration plan possible.
Some of the most common causes of basement floods include:
- Poorly sealed basement floors and walls
- Sump pump failure
- Incomplete waterproofing
- Drainage failure
- Clogged gutter overflow
- Plumbing or supply line leaks
- Downspout damage or failure
- Hot water tank failure
- Appliance leaks
- Storm damage
- Flash floods
Basement Floods Should Always Be Handled by Water Damage Restoration Experts
You may be tempted to try and handle the basement flood cleanup yourself if you’re handy and prefer to save money. Unfortunately, taking a DIY approach to basement flood cleanup can have devastating consequences, resulting in significant structural damage to your home and increasing the risk of health issues.
There are several reasons why basement flood cleanup should always be handled by a professional water damage restoration company:
- Specialized equipment
- Safety expertise
- Comprehensive damage assessment
- Mold prevention and remediation
- Efficient water extraction and drying
- Proper sanitization
- Proper structural repairs
- Time and cost efficiency
- Insurance expertise
Specialized Equipment
Water damage restoration companies have access to specialized restoration equipment for efficient water extraction, drying and dehumidification. These tools are far more effective than consumer-grade equipment, ensuring the process will be completed properly and additional damage will be avoided.
Safety Expertise
Water damage restoration experts are trained to handle safety hazards associated with flooded basements, such as electrical risks, contaminated water and potential structural issues. They follow strict protocols to protect your property and your family.
Comprehensive Damage Assessment
Water damage restoration experts will conduct a thorough evaluation of the damage, including hidden issues that might not be immediately apparent. This ensures all potential issues are identified and addressed in a timely manner, and it ensures the most effective restoration approach is utilized.
Mold Prevention and Remediation
Wet basements provide optimal breeding grounds for mold growth, and if the cleanup process isn’t handled properly, you risk developing a serious mold problem in your home. Water damage restoration professionals are also experienced mold remediation experts, and they have the knowledge and tools to address any mold problems caused by your basement flooding. Restoration companies will use specialized techniques to eliminate any mold that is present and prevent regrowth.
Efficient Water Extraction and Drying
Water damage restoration companies know how to adapt their techniques to your unique basement situation, ensuring quick and effective water removal and drying. This efficiency is critical to your ability to minimize damage to floors, walls and personal belongings.
Proper Sanitization
Professional water damage restoration services include thorough cleaning and disinfection of the affected area, which is essential for the health and safety of your family. This is especially critical if the flooding involves contaminated water.
Proper Structural Repairs
Water damage restoration experts can identify and address any structural damage caused by the flooding, including repairs to foundations, walls, and other affected elements of your home.
Time and Cost Efficiency
You may think that DIY basement flood cleanup will save you money, but in most cases, it will actually cost you more in the long run. While professional restoration services may seem costly upfront, they can save time and money in the long run by preventing secondary damage and ensuring a thorough restoration process.
Insurance Expertise
Water damage restoration professionals have extensive experience working with insurance companies. They can work directly with your insurance to facilitate a smoother claims process and ensure you receive the full benefits to which you’re entitled. Keep in mind that not all flooding is covered by insurance, so you’ll have to review the terms of your policy to determine whether your specific circumstances are included in your insurance coverage.
The Water Damage Restoration Process After Basement Flooding
At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we utilize a meticulous process to ensure all water damage restoration work is handled properly and your home is restored to its pre-damage condition. Our process includes the following steps:
- Inspection and Damage Assessment – Our team will conduct a thorough inspection to assess the extent of water damage. We’ll identify the water source, classify the type of water (clean, gray or black), and determine the level of damage to create the most effective restoration plan.
- Water Extraction – Our team uses specialized, industrial-grade equipment to remove all standing water from your basement and any other areas impacted by the water damage. Specialized tools such as moisture meters and thermal cameras may also be used to help our team detect hidden water pockets behind walls or under floors.
- Drying and Dehumidification – After all standing water is removed, our team will use commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry out all affected areas of your home.
- Cleaning and Sanitizing – All surfaces exposed to flooding are cleaned and sanitized to remove contaminants and prevent mold growth. This includes walls, floors, furniture and other structures impacted by the water damage. If the flooding involved contaminated water, additional biohazard precautions will be taken to ensure all health and safety hazards are properly addressed.
- Removal of Damaged Materials – Porous materials such as carpets, drywall, insulation and furniture that cannot be salvaged are removed and disposed of. Nonporous items may be cleaned and restored if possible.
- Mold Inspection and Remediation – Our team will inspect for mold growth and use specialized mold remediation techniques to restore a mold-free environment.
- Repairs and Reconstruction – Once the area is cleaned, dried and sanitized, our team will make all necessary repairs and perform all reconstruction work to restore your home to its original condition. This may involve replacing drywall, flooring, insulation or structural components of your home damaged by flooding. Waterproofing measures may also be implemented to prevent future flooding.
- Monitoring and Documentation – Our team will monitor moisture levels throughout the process to ensure your home is dried properly. We’ll also provide all necessary documentation to your insurance company to facilitate a smooth claims process.
Trust JRCC Damage Restoration Experts for Water Damage Restoration After a Basement Flood
If you’ve experienced a basement flood, it’s critical to work with an experienced water damage restoration company who will ensure the entire process is handled correctly. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we have you covered. We’ve been the leading water damage restoration company in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area since 1954. We offer 24/7 emergency flood services, and our team will arrive shortly after receiving your call, day or night, to begin the restoration work. This prompt response time is critical for minimizing damage and restoring safe conditions at your home.
Our team has extensive experience handling water damage caused by basement floods. We know how to identify the source of the water causing the flood, and we can ensure the problem is addressed properly to prevent additional flooding in the future. At JRCC Damage Restoration Experts, we provide comprehensive water damage restoration services and can handle the entire process, from initial damage assessment through all final repairs. This creates a hassle-free process and gives you peace of mind that all work is performed properly.
Contact us today at 509-765-4138 to schedule an appointment. JRCC Damage Restoration Experts serves customers in the greater Seattle & Spokane Metro Area.