If your basement floods or suffers water damage, the aftermath and cleanup can be overwhelming. Our team at Global Basement Waterproofing understands the difficulties that come with dealing with water damage, so we’re here to help you with water damage repair in MA.
Restore your home with these six steps to repair basement water damage in MA.
1. Stay Safe
If your basement floods, the first thing to do is stay safe. To prevent electric shocks, turn off the electricity to all the circuits in your basement before you attempt any further cleanup.
2. Remove the Water and Dry the Area
The next step is to remove the water and dry the affected area. Run your sump pump if you have one, and manually remove the water to limit the damage. If the water is deep enough, use buckets, along with a wet/dry vac, to get the water out. Once you’ve extracted all the water you can, dry out the area with fans and dehumidifiers. Leave any doors or windows open to let the air flow through and help everything dry out.
3. Remove Damaged Materials
While the area is drying, you can begin to remove any damaged materials that you can’t salvage. These materials can include drywall, insulation, and carpet padding. Removing these materials quickly will help prevent mold growth.
4. Clean, Disinfect, and Check for Mold
Once the area is dry, clean all the surfaces to remove dirt and debris. Next, disinfect (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water is an effective solution) to kill remaining bacteria and mold spores. Let the area dry again after cleaning and disinfecting, and then check for signs of mold growth. If you see mold on hard surfaces, clean and disinfect them again. If you find mold on porous materials, it’s best to replace them.
5. Repair and Replace
Now that everything is clean and dry, it’s time to start tackling repairs. As you repair any structural damage, identify the cause (or causes) behind the flooding so you can take steps to rectify it. These solutions can include redirecting your drains, repairing cracks in the foundation, or installing a sump pump.
6. Seal, Waterproof, and Maintain
Finally, you should take steps to seal and waterproof your basement to prevent water penetration in the future. Keep up with routine maintenance, especially after periods of heavy rain, to ensure you are not in danger of another flood.
