What to Do Immediately After Your Basement Floods
Flooding is an unfortunate circumstance brought on by Mother Nature when there is so much rain or snowmelt that residences and businesses alike in low-lying areas and areas near bodies of water are sometimes subjected to dealing with.
If you live in a floodplain or an area that is at risk of flooding, you will want to purchase federal flood insurance which is a separate policy from your homeowner’s insurance. Home insurance policies do not cover flooding, contrary to popular misconceptions, and you cannot purchase flood insurance after the fact.

Flood insurance aside, these natural disasters can be destructive and damage both the dwelling and its contents. Frequently, the basement of a home or building takes the brunt of the flood as it is the lowest-lying part of a building, and the water naturally collects there first and rises. What do you do in the event of a flood in your basement?
Cut the Power to Your Basement ASAP!
In terms of cleaning up after flood tips, the first thing you should do is cut the power to the basement. This means getting to your fuse box and turning off the correct switches. It is smart for any homeowner or renter to be familiar with their fuse box. Most are labeled accordingly. The reason you need to cut the power to the basement is that electricity and water do not mix. This is a deadly combination and presents a serious electrical risk, as water conducts electricity.
Remove Submerged Objects to Save Them from Further Water Damage
The second major tip we have for residents and business owners dealing with a flooded basement is to unplug all electrical items, move them to a dry location, and repeat this process with the rest of the contents submerged in your flooded basement.
While not everything may be salvageable, this action will prevent further water damage that can occur if your possessions are left submerged for a longer duration of time. Doing this quickly can help you minimize losses. Do not start this process until you are certain that the electricity is off.
How to Clean a Flooded Basement
To clean your flooded basement, you will need to remove all the standing water. Bucketing is time-consuming, and you will not be able to remove all the water this way. We recommend that you use a sump pump or pool pump to effectively remove water in the event of a flood.
Hire an Emergency Packout and Flood Remediation Company
Our last tip is to work with a professional when assessing the damage to your possessions. While you are stressed about the state of your home and dealing with a natural disaster such as a flood, having professionals to turn to can help shoulder the burden.
These companies specialize in packing out your belongings and determining what is salvageable and what is not. They can also pump your basement for you if a sump pump or pool pump is not something you have access to. A big bonus is that they can provide you with an itemized list inventorying your damages—making your life easy when dealing with the insurance company because they are providing you with a third-party opinion rather than relying on an insurance adjuster who works for the feds.
Do you need emergency packout services and flood remediation in Northern Virginia and the Greater DC area? Coventry Services LLC is available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our remediation professionals have experience dealing with flooded basements. Let us clean up the mess for you and get your basement back to normal.