Dealing With A Flooded Basement When There Is Flooding In Maryland

By Author: Leo Nov
Total Articles: 883
Comment this article

Flooding can occur in a matter of seconds. Before you know it, water has already stealthily seeped into your homes and has caused great damage. This was what many homeowners in Maryland experienced when a water main burst and flooded the nearby areas last December 2008.

When the Maryland flooding incident took place, raging waters invaded the houses and buildings in the area. We all know that when flood waters enter the homes, the most affected area of the house is the basement since it is the lowest area of the house. It is thus important to immediately attend to the flooding in the basement to avoid further water damage. Do not panic when the flooding occurs. These are the steps that you have to take to save your basement from water damage.

1. Pump out the water

The first thing to do when a tragedy like the Maryland flooding occurs is to get all the water out of the basement. Use a sump pump to drain the flood waters from the basement. Make sure that the waters are completely removed. The drying and cleaning process cannot be started unless the area is free from water.

2. Remove the dirt and grime

If ...
... the flooded basement has become muddy or is now filled with dirt and grime, it will be necessary to get hold of a shovel. Remove all the mud and dirt as extensively as you can. You can also use a hose to clean the flooded walls. The pressure of the water will aide in removing the dirt from the walls and floors.

3. Dry the affected areas

To speed up the drying, electric fans and dehumidifiers may be used if these are available in the home. It is crucial to lift off the moisture in the flooded basement. The excess moisture can encourage the growth of molds and mildew. Air drying may not be enough so you can resort to these equipments for a more thorough drying process.

4. Disinfect and deodorize

A flooded basement can become a breeding ground of germs and bacteria. It is thus necessary to disinfect the affected areas by mopping the floors with a disinfectant or bleach solution. If after doing this there are still unpleasant odors lingering in the flooded basement, use a deodorant or charcoal to get rid of such odors.

The furniture and appliances in the kitchen may have been reached by the flood waters too. Cabinets and drawers that have been flooded must be left open so that they will dry faster. Use dry towels to wipe off the water. Lift off the carpets and take out the rugs and allow them to dry outdoors. You may also have to sanitize the furniture and appliances since they will also be subject to the spread of germs.

5. Go for prevention

Fixing a flooded basement can be very expensive. The structures of the house may be damaged and the furniture may be destroyed beyond repair. While emergency measures may be resorted to, it will also be very beneficial to do preventive actions. You do not have to wait for an incident like the Maryland flooding to occur before you take steps to treat your basement. You can make the necessary preparation to lessen the damage that the house will suffer. Have sump pumps installed so that water level will remain low even when heavy flooding occurs. Hire a professional to waterproof your basement. This will help you avoid high costs when flooding takes place.

KW1: flooded basement maryland
URL1: http://www.floodrepairteam.com/

KW2: flooded basement
URL2: http://www.restorationsos.com/
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS. To learn more about Flooded Basement visit our website. Click here for more information on Flooded Basement Maryland.