A flooded basement can occur without warning. There are many possible causes. In our 20 years of providing water damage restoration services, the RestorePro team has learned that most often it is because of a burst pipe, a damaged water heater, backed up sewage lines, or flooding after heavy rains. Unfortunately, these aren’t things that you can always prevent. So what should you do if you discover water in your basement?

The most important thing is to take action right away. The longer that water is allowed to sit, the more extensive your damage is likely to be. Not only can your belongings such as artwork, electronics, and other personal items be damaged. Water damage can lead to structural weakness in the walls and supports. This is a problem any time that water is where it shouldn’t be, but especially in a basement. There are several specific risks that you should be aware of.

• Electrical Shock – Whenever there is standing water near electrical wiring, there is danger of electrical shock or fire. If you don’t take proper precautions then you may be injured trying to clean up your basement.
• Hidden Damage – Water is absorbed by nearly every material that it touches. Wood, carpeting, and drywall, three of the most common materials for basement flooding to come in contact with, are all highly absorbent. It is easy for an inexperienced person to dry the surface and think that everything inside will be fine, but there is often moisture deep inside that will cause more damage later on.
• Unclean Water Source – In some cases, you know that the water comes from a water heater or clean plumbing line, so there is little concern about what might be in the water. Often, however, basement flooding brings in water from outside or involves broken sewage lines. This water could carry harmful bacteria or other pathogens, and should be cleaned using biohazard precautions.
• Mold – One of the most insidious dangers that can arise from basement flooding is mold. It might take weeks or months to appear. Mold can grow quickly if undetected, especially if it has plenty of dark, damp areas to thrive in. While most types of mold aren’t harmful, a few are quite dangerous. And it’s important to keep in mind that any mold can cause problems for those with allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Because of these dangers, most homeowners should not try to deal with basement flooding alone. Let our experts make sure that the job is done right the first time. Our team has the experience, the training, and the equipment to make sure that all traces of water are completely removed and your home is returned to its pre-flood condition as efficiently as possible. When you call on the professionals here are RestorePro you can rest assured that your property and family will be protected. Call us 24 hours a day at 781-664-9800 and let us take care of your water damage restoration project.  For more information visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RestorePro911.