In previous sections of this multi-part blog series, we’ve gone over a number of details pertinent to preventing flooding concerns on your property, namely in your basement. Whether due to faulty plumbing fixtures or a variety of other potential causes, including slope and flood zone concerns, home flooding needs to be prevented not only for personal safety, but also for home value.
At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous emergency plumbing response services, including for flooding and related concerns taking place in your home or building. While our previous sections of this series have been about preventing these kinds of issues through several basic techniques and behaviors, today’s final section will dig into how you should proceed if you discover a flood has already begun to take place in your basement or any other area of your property.
Stay Calm
First and foremost, like with any natural disaster or serious issue, do not panic. Even if you walk into the basement and discover multiple inches of water covering the entire space, freaking out and panicking will not improve the situation.
Rather, take a few deep breaths and consider the steps you should be taking. The first one: If there is any danger risk, namely electrical power sources that are near the standing water in a flood, evacuate the area of all people and pets immediately. Only once you’ve determined there are no such risks should you remain in the area.
Who to Contact
Now it’s time to get in touch with a few different parties:
- Local municipality: Your city’s engineering department should be notified if your basement floods, as they manage storm sewers, stormwater and drainage issues. In cases where area-wide flooding is taking place, your municipality will inform you if you’ll be affected.
- Our plumbers: For a home plumbing inspection and assistance with sealing and improving the system.
- Insurance agent: You’ll also want to review your homeowners’ insurance coverage to see whether flooding concerns are covered, which may also involve speaking to your insurance agent.
Future Prevention Themes
If a flood does take place, there will be a few important reminders you’ll likely be given during cleanup and remediation to prevent a repeat issue in the future:
- Plumbing inspection: As we noted above, we strongly recommend an inspection from our plumbers to help determine the source of the flood and repair it so these concerns are not present in the future.
- Install a sump pump: We went over this in previous sections.
- Limit water usage during heavy rain: During heavy rain or snowfall, doing laundry or running the dishwasher may overload the sewer system and increase flood risks, especially in homes that are already susceptible here.
For more on how to prevent flooding issues on your property, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.