While people commonly associate home flooding and leaks with the spring season’s heavy rainfall, many houses flood during the winter months as well. Intense snow melt, combined with ice-clogged gutters, is a surefire way to end up with a basement that resembles a pond. Flooding is always unpleasant, and cleanup can be a lengthy and painful process. If your home has flooded, consider renting a storage unit at a local self-storage facility to keep your belongings dry while you repair the damage to your home. Here are some tips to make that recovery process as smooth and painless as possible
Keep Your Distance
While you will want to run into the flooded space and rescue prized belongings immediately, exercise caution. Though the water itself is likely harmless, the electricity that could be coursing through the water can be deadly. Depending on the intensity of the flooding, it’s possible that elements of your electrical system are in contact with the water. Because water is such a good conductor, this can lead to shocks if you touch any part of the liquid. To ensure your safety, turn off your basement’s power at the fuse box before venturing into the basement. If the box is inaccessible without touching the water, wear tall rubber boots that will isolate you from any current, or wait for the water to recede before you enter. Though it might be stressful to wait, your safety is more important than any possession.
Clear out the Space
Once you’re able to enter the basement safely, start removing your possessions so the room itself can begin to dry. A space in a self-storage facility is useful during this step because it will allow you to remove absolutely everything from the basement and store it elsewhere. The drying process will be quickest if the space is entirely empty.
Make It Dry
To facilitate faster drying, bring fans down into the basement to circulate air, crank up your home’s heater, and consider cracking a few windows to aid ventilation. If your basement was carpeted, you’re probably going to need to replace the floor covering entirely. While it might seem dry after a week, the pad that sits under the carpet may still be retaining water. If that’s the case, mold will start to develop, and that can present serious health ramifications. If you’re recovering from a flood, or simply need more space in your home, stop by your local SecurCare Self Storage facility for excellent rates on self-storage units.