Go Easy When Pumping Your Flooded Basement
If you find one day that your basement has flooded, and the water needs to be pumped out, remember not to go too fast otherwise damage to your home can result. Instead, the water should be drained slowly to avoid damage to the foundation, floors and basement walls.While the flood may have receded, ground water on the outside could push hard against your basement walls, and the flood water inside will likewise push back.
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In this situation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends following these measures to avoid any serious damage or injury if your basement is flooded. Begin pumping out a foot of water when the ground outside is no longer submerged in flood water. Mark the current water level, and check it the following morning, repeating the procedure if it is not lower. Measure the water level, and if it is higher the next morning, wait for 24 hours and repeat the procedure. Then, when the water level is below your mark, you can pump out two or three feet every day until your basement is free of water.
You should only enter a flooded basement if you are absolutely certain that the electricity is not turned on. Gasoline-powered generators should never be used in a confined space, such as a basement, because they emit dangerous carbon-monoxide fumes.
Cleaning up after a flood can be a harrowing task, especially if you discover any serious damage. When you are hesitant about handling the situation yourself, it may be best to contact a professional to pump out the water and repair the waterproofing and drainage system in your basement so that it will function properly.
Typhoid and paratyphoid are also threats. To protect yourself, use insect repellent and wash your hands in boiled or disinfected water, especially if the flood water is contaminated by sewage.
Since mud swept into your home by a flood can also be full of contaminants, shovel out as much as you can, then use a pressure washer or hose to remove the mud from hard surfaces. Next, wash those surfaces with a heavy-duty cleaner and hot water, use disinfectant, and rinse them in clean water.
When a storm is more severe, you may also need a new heating and air conditioning system, septic tank, roofing, and foundation to make your home safe and livable.
