When water becomes a problem ...

When a basement floods, it can be devastating. Not only did your carpet get soaked and your drywall gets damaged, but your 65′ Fender Twin Reverb (for all you non-musicians, the Fender Twin Reverb is a legendary guitar amplifier) is half-submerged. So what do you do?

Well, after freaking out a bit, the first thing to do is to shut off the electricity and the gas to the area. You don’t want to tread through a flooded area that’s got current running through it. If you’re unsure of how to do that, it’s always best to consult your local electrician and they’ll be able to help you.

Next, put your waders on – an important step because you don’t know what kind of bacteria is living in the water – and go find the source. If it’s a burst pipe, turn the water off and remove any keepsakes you want to try to salvage. If it’s a storm, you’ll need to wait until it stops raining to start working on things.

Experts recommend that you let things dry for 48 hours, and if possible, to dry things outside. You don’t want to encourage mold growth.

Now start removing the water. Depending on how much water you’re dealing with, you can either let your sump pump go to work, use a wet vac, or a pool pump. Once you’re just about there, you can use a few sponges or towels to soak up the remainder of the water.

As for your restoration, consult a specialist. You may not realize the extent of the damage, or you may not realize that you can save your carpet, and formulate a plan to address the issue that caused it.

If it’s clear the issue is with your plumbing, a clogged drain, or a faulty sump pump, call a plumber right away.

What are your thoughts? Do you have any basement flood tips you’d like to add? If so, let us know in the comments below!

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