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What to do if you have a flooded basement

July 25, 2024

According to Reach and Rescue, around 5 million people live in flood risk areas in England and Wales and 1 in 6 homes in England are at risk of flooding. Also, only 41% of people eligible for free flood warnings are registered to receive them. These shocking statistics show just how at-risk residents are of a catastrophic flood.

And it’s not just mother nature than can cause a basement flood. Broken and blocked pipework are also a major cause of water damage to properties.

We’ve created a step-by-step guide on what to do if you have a flooded basement to ensure minimal damage to your property.

Flooded basement top tips:

1. Switch off all power to the basement

Water may have come into contact with the electric mains, which could result in an electrical fire and an electrocution risk. Never enter a flooded basement until you are sure the power to the area has been switched off as currents can travel through water, causing you serious harm.

Check out more safety tips on electrical safety after a flood from Electrical Safety First.

2. Identify the source of the water damage

At CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration, we can assist with finding the source of a leak and for those hard to find or hidden leaks, we offer our innovative leak detection service. Our experts can quickly identify why your basement has flooded and create an action plan that aims to clear and restore the area as soon as possible, as well as helping to reduce the chance of it happening again.

3. Identify any health risks associated with the source of the water

Sewage water has the potential to carry various waterborne diseases and bacteria, presenting a major health risk to you and your family. If your flooded basement contains sewage, it’s essential that a professional flood restoration company is used to clean-up the damage. With the right equipment, hazardous floodwater can be quickly removed from your property, while the contents of the area are sanitised and odourised to remove the last traces of flooding and any potential hazards.

Learn more about our sewage cleanup service for your flooded basement here.

4. Take steps to limit the damage

Your insurance provider will expect you to take all necessary actions to limit further damage to your property and its contents. Once it is safe to do so, removing any dry items from the area, sealing off entrances to other rooms, or turning off your water supply if the flood has derived from a burst pipe, can help minimise the spread of damage.

5. Appoint a specialist basement flood cleaning professional

CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration can attend your property immediately after a basement flood to stabilise the property and provide advice on your insurance claim process. We are recognised in the insurance industry and have extensive experience in providing bespoke specialist building drying regimes for flood affected properties.

View our full list of accreditations here.

6. Contact your insurance company

It’s important to contact your insurance company to alert them to the type of flooding you have experienced and the actions you have taken so far to stabilise the property. They will be able to talk you through the process of making a claim, ensuring you are fully aware of what they cover as part of a flooded basement.

Contact CPL t/a Rainbow Restoration in the event of a flooded basement

You must act quickly to remedy a flooded basement. Our rapid response team can attend your property immediately after you call so don’t hesitate to get in touch. Call us on freephone 0800 030 4360. Visit our contact page to submit an enquiry form and get a free quote today.

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