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If you want to keep your basement dry and prevent a flooded basement from causing further problems in your home there are few steps that you can take to keep water, basement at a minimum and to clean up any water, basement that may have accumulated quickly and effectively.
The first step that you can take to dealing with a flooded basement is to find out the source of the water, basement. Is it external? External sources can be as dramatic as a flood of water from a local river or an overflow of water because of excessive storms. You may have a sump system that was overwhelmed with a sudden influx of water, basement and which overflowed into the rest of your basement.
Internal sources of water, basement can be more difficult to identify. Water may be leaking from faulty pipes or it may be seeping up from a drainage system that has not been properly installed or maintained. It can creep up and begin to infiltrate your basement in areas that may not be as easy to notice. You may begin to notice an increase in bugs that are drawn to the moisture or you may see signs of mold. Another indicator that there is moisture in your basement from a flooded basement or other source is that there may be signs of water staining on the walls, floor or ceiling.
It is important to dry out a damp or flooded basement as quickly as possible. If there is visible water you want to start getting your flooded basement back to normal by getting rid of any of this visible water. You can do this by using a wet/dry vacuum, mopping it up or wiping it up with a towel. If there is an area of water on a floor and you cannot see any other areas you may want to monitor the area for a few days so that you can see if it is returning to the area from a source such as a leaking pipe or an area where a drainage system may not be functioning properly.
You need to dry out the air in a flooded basement as rapidly as you can. You can do this by using fans and dehumidifiers that will pull moisture out of the air and help the room dry out as quickly as possible. If the air in your basement is damp it can begin to feel clammy and it may also smell like mildew.
You also need to remove any furniture or construction materials that have become damp as a result of a flooded basement. You may need to remove upholstered items such as furniture or pillows and have them cleaned and dried. You may be able to clean some of these items yourself. If there are rugs or carpets on the floor these will need to be removed and either cleaned and dried or disposed of.
If you are worried that the situation may be too difficult for you to handle there are many companies that can clean up flooded basements and return your home to normal. You can find them online, in phone books, and by speaking with insurance agents. In this case, you may also be able to hire a company that is willing to work directly with your insurance company and this can reduce the hassles and paperwork that you will need to deal with.