First 48 Hours After a Flood

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Don't wait! The first 48 hours are critical!!

ACT FAST. The sooner you clear the contents out of your basement during a water incident, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition to your items and possessions.

When a finished basement experiences significant water damage, such as a basement flooding or a water pipe burst, timing is everything. Where the sooner you begin the disaster recovery process, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition of your possessions and the finished basement environment.

The first 48 hours are considered the most important time period to react, as it is crucial to preventing further damage to the basement and the items within, as well as preventing a wide spread mold problem. Below are the first steps to take, preferably within these first 48 hours.

1. Turn Off the Power. Never enter a flooded basement or touch the flood waters without cutting off the power.
2. Call your insurance company. Policies differ. Most require special flood insurance to cover ground water leaks, but homeowner’s insurance may cover damage from indoor plumbing and hot water heater leaks.
3. Get the water out as soon as possible. Call SERVPRO of Northeast Columbus to extract any standing water. If there isn’t a lot of water, you might try to get it out yourself, with a “floor sucker” or a shop-vac.

Dry everything out as quickly as possible

To prevent items and building materials from becoming ruined, dry your basement as soon as the water is removed. Ideally, the basement should be completely dry within 48 hours. After that, the potential for mold growth increases considerably. A professional restoration company might help expedite this process. Alternatively, you can consider acquiring a powerful basement dehumidifier.