How to Dry Out after Basement Floods

4/17/2021 (Permalink)

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Did you find your way here by searching for “what to do after a basement flood”? If so, first we’re sorry this happened to your home. Know that you’re not alone, as many homeowners have dealt with the same thing. 

Basements can flood for any number of reasons: living by a lake or in a known Massachusetts flood zone; a heavy rainstorm that seeps in through a fieldstone foundation or a crack in your basement window, wall, or door; or a burst hot water heater. 

We’re going to assume that you’ve already turned the power off to your basement and have taken care of that, since that’s important to avoid an electrical shock. Haven’t done that yet? You can turn it off yourself if your circuit breaker is accessible from upstairs. If it’s in the basement, call an electrician or the electric company to shut the power off at your home before you venture into the basement to remove the water. 

If you live in a known flood zone, you may have a sump pump that works to remove the water when the electricity is on. If you don’t have a sump pump, or your sump pump isn’t working, which caused your basement to flood, you can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove a small amount of water. 

Have an inch or more of water? Contact your Massachusetts emergency water removal service like SERVPRO of Haverhill / Newburyport. We will get the water out and then start the process of drying out your basement with our professional dehumidifiers and fans. 

Want to try drying out your basement yourself? Here’s how: 

• Remove all the water
• Open your basement windows and doors
• Take all items out of your basement and make sure they’re dried separately and thoroughly, and also cleaned to prevent mildew or mold
• Set up fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the dryness

If you had a flood in your basement and need help, check the steps of our water damage restoration process. Contact us here at SERVPRO of Haverhill / Newburyport for an assessment of your water damage in Massachusetts caused by flooding along with a plan for remediation and clean up.