Flood emergencies can strike at any time. Basements can be flooded after a sump pump stops, a bad storm occurs, a washing machine hose breaks, a water heater leaks, or even a storm sewer backs up into the room.

Trying to navigate through flooded basement cleanup in the Greensburg, PA, area can be tricky. Larger flood damage, especially if there’s mold involved, should be handled by a professional restoration team such as ServiceMaster Complete Restoration By Stiffey.

Some homeowners are able to help mitigate and reverse flood damage in a basement if there’s not a large amount of water. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make your flooded basement cleanup go smoothly.

• Start with Water Removal: The most important part of the cleanup process is to make sure standing water is removed so dirt, grime, and other debris can be cleaned. Wet vacuums and sump pumps can be rented or purchased to get rid of standing water. It’s important to carefully rinse any objects or walls that have mud or dirt on them as they will be much harder to clean once hardened. Help dry out your basement by opening doors and/or windows to let the air circulate or bring in fans to dry out the area faster.
• Tackle the Restoration Process: Water damage can destroy wooden walls and flooring very quickly. At this point in time, and especially during the water removal process, be sure to wear high-quality gloves, boots, and goggles as you’re working in the basement. These types of products can be purchased at a hardware store. If your basement has carpet, remove it to get a sense about the damage underneath that might have gone unnoticed otherwise. Be sure to carefully note any damage and repairs you make to help your insurance company with the claim process.
• Waterproof and Protect: Investing in a sump pump and drainage system will help avoid future flooding. Battery-powered pumps are especially useful since they still work even if the power is cut. Those homeowners living in a flood-prone area should look into purchasing and installing engineered flood vents that prevent water pressure buildup.

We know that flooded basement cleanup in the Greensburg, PA, can quickly turn into a large job, even if the flooding was small. Instead of adding stress and worry to your life, let our team here at ServiceMaster Complete Restoration By Stiffey help you.

Our professional restoration crews are on-call 24/7 and have extensive experience with removing water from a flooded basement and helping you restore the area to normal. We’re here to answer the phone at (724) 834-8889.