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Summers in Michigan are times of extreme weather shifts: scorching hot for days on end, draught and red flag warnings, and then a sudden storm barreling through from off the great lakes. This leaves many areas around Michigan at risk for flooding, and river valleys such as those in Kalamazoo or Grand Rapids face extra risk. The First National Flood Risk Assessment (FNFRA) states that there are certain areas in Michigan that are at substantial risk of flooding. The top 10 cities at risk for flooding are: Detroit, Warren, Grand Rapids, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, St. Clair Shores and Gross Pointe Woods.
If you’ve dealt with basement flooding in the past, you know it can be messy and expensive to clean up. However, you can mitigate the damage if you act quickly and call a professional. If you find water in your basement, here’s what you should do first.
This is the absolute first priority, especially if there is standing water in your basement. Do not go anywhere near flooded water in your basement until you are certain that there is no danger of electrical shock from appliances plugged in in the area. If you are not certain how to turn off the power in your basement, contact someone who can do this for you.
If there’s any significant level of standing water in your basement, you’re going to want to learn more about what coverages you may have. Early notification and providing documentation of what caused the incident and the damage that occurred can help make your claim process much smoother. Even if you don't end up filing a claim, it's good to put them on notice right away.
Depending on the source of your basement flooding and when you discovered it, the water in your basement could be quite dangerous. It could contain sewage, chemicals, and other pollutants. Definitely wear a face mask as well as rubber boots and gloves if you enter the flooded area. Be careful when exiting the contaminated area to not cross-contaminate other unaffected areas of your home.
Find out the source of the flooding and make sure no more water is leaking into your basement. Use a sump pump, a pool pump, a wet/dry vacuum, or (if there’s not a lot of water) a mop and bucket. If you don’t have these items, Modernistic can help. With truck-mounted extraction, we make quick work of even large amounts of standing water.
Move dry items somewhere safe. Books, cardboard, and electronics are particularly vulnerable. Don’t touch anything that has already gotten wet, as you risk spreading mold to other parts of your house. Clothes and bedding can usually be washed, but will require special treatment to remove mold. You will have to dispose of anything that takes longer than 24–48 hours to dry, or which can’t be thoroughly cleaned once it is dry, as it poses a significant mold risk.
No homeowner wants to come home to a flooded basement. Depending on the damage, it can be a very upsetting time. The best solution, practically and emotionally, is to move quickly and get help as soon as possible. At Modernistic, we are available 24/7 to respond to your flood emergency, and our aim is to have a cleanup crew at your door within 60 to 90 minutes. Our IICRC-certified technicians can handle every stage of the cleanup, bringing you peace of mind and returning your life to normal as quickly as possible. If you need our help, contact us immediately.
