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Flooding is one of the most common and most damaging natural hazards. They are usually unpredictable and when they actually do take place, they can do substantial damage to your house. This is the reason why it is very important to have an understanding of what you really need to do if there is a flood in your basement. Flooding is not something that you should take lightly – there is major risk involved. What to Do When There's Flooding in Your Basement Flooding is one of the most common and most damaging natural hazards. They are usually unpredictable and when they actually do take place, they can do substantial damage to your house. This is the reason why it is very important to have an understanding of what you really need to do if there is a flood in your basement. Flooding is not something that you should take lightly – there is major risk involved. What to Do When There's Flooding in Your Basement The following are a number of actions that you will want to take if your basement is flooded: 1. Place health and safety first: The health and safety of your loved ones is the most important thing . Do not ever go down into the basement if the water is deep. Also pay attention to electrical outlets, home appliances, and other things that are submerged in water that could be a threat to you. 2. Don’t run any water in the house: Avoid using water in your house the instant you identify the flood. Turning on the kitchen taps or running the dish washer could actually make the flooding a whole lot worse. Also, the water could be polluted and might not be safe for consumption. 3. Report the flooding to your city: In most cases, there is a phone number to call up to report flooding to your city. The report enables the city to keep track of flooding problems and find ways to prevent it. 4. Call your insurance provider: Call your house insurance company to report the flood. Carry out all the steps they provide you with to make sure that the claim process will go as smooth as possible. In accordance with your insurance company, they might ask you to call a plumber or flood recovery team to assess the damage and make sure your house is safe. 5. Find an alternative place to stay: Depending on the severity of the flooding and damage that is caused to your basement, you might need to stay with family members or at a hotel. 6. Document the damage: For any type of insurance claim it is important that you record all the damage on an inventory sheet. Make a list of everything that is damaged and needs to be replaced. It is also a great idea to take photographs or a video of the damage so that you will have evidence to show your house insurance provider. 7. Begin the clean-up process: As soon as the water levels decrease and your basement is considered safe, it is time to start the clean-up process. Remember to cross check all of the items that you have to toss with your inventory sheet to make sure you get everything. Depending on your situation, your insurer may have a clean-up company come into your home to help with the drying process. If you are doing the clean-up, just be sure you properly protect yourself by using protective clothing. 8. Your basement for the next time: As part of getting your basement back to normal , it is a smart idea to be proactive and take steps that will help protect your basement in case of a flood in the future . This will protect your home and minimize the damage. Be smart and be safe in such situations. For more information on seasonal home care, or auto and home insurance Toronto, check out Insurance Hunter.
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