FLOODED BASEMENTS
Flooded basement in Yakima: the first hour, the pump-out and the 48 hour dry-down
Standing water in a basement is a safety problem before it is a cleanup problem. Here is what to do first, and how our crew gets the water and the moisture out.
Chapter 01
The first hour: power, gas and the source
Before you call anyone, shut off all power to the basement and any gas. Do not walk into a flooded basement while the power is on. Standing water and live electricity can cause serious or life threatening injuries, and nothing down there is worth that risk.
If a storm caused the flooding, wait until it has passed before you inspect. Wear protective boots, gloves and eyewear, and hip waders if you have them. Then look for the source. A leaking or burst pipe means turning off your water main. If the water came in from outside, there is no valve to turn, and the next step is getting help.
Call (509) 388-1175. We answer 24/7/365 for flooded basements in Yakima, Selah, West Valley, Union Gap, Moxee and the towns around them.
A flooded unfinished basement mid drydown: water sheen on the concrete, drywall cut at the flood line, blue air movers and dehumidifiers running.
Getting the water out
Once the source is stopped, the water has to go. A sump pump can handle the excess if you own one. If you do not, call a flood damage restoration company as soon as you can, so they bring their own equipment and get the water out fast.
Carpet comes out quickly. Wet carpet over a slab holds moisture against the floor, and the floor underneath cannot dry until the carpet is gone. Move everything else out of the basement too, to a well ventilated spot away from the house. A sunny place outdoors is a good option if you have one.
Water extraction, structural drying and sewage cleanup are all part of what we do, so a basement with sewage in it is something we handle too.
Chapter 03
The next 48 hours: slab, walls, mold and the claim
Pumping the water out starts the drying, it does not finish it. The concrete slab and the lower walls hold moisture long after the surface looks fine. Dehumidifiers and air movers keep running until the moisture is actually out, and wet drywall is cut at the flood line when it has to be.
Check for mold once 48 hours have passed. Mold can start to grow in 48 hours or less, and a damp basement is exactly where it settles. If you see it, we inspect and assess at no charge, 24/7/365, and our crew handles the removal.
Photograph the water line, the damaged belongings and the equipment before anything is discarded. If mold is present, file an insurance claim to recoup the cost of replacing your belongings. We deal with your insurance company, and the photos and notes we take go straight into your file.
Complete Restoration & Construction, LLC. Locally owned and operated in Yakima. IICRC Certified Firm, 5.0 from 167 Google reviews, answering flooded basements 24/7/365 at (509) 388-1175.
