Costs Incurred From Water Damage to a Basement

Equipment for Getting the Water Out

• If you had only an inch or so of water on a bare cement floor, you may just incur the cost of a few mops and buckets or a wet-dry vacuum rental. If the water is more than an inch or so deep, you might want to rent a submersible electric pump. You may also need to hang shop lights in the basement. Be sure to wear rubber boots that extend at least to your knees.

Electrical Safety

• For safety reasons, all basement circuits need to be shut off at the main electrical service board, which means using the electrical outlets in the upstairs portion of your house to do any basement cleanup. Ensure that extension cords running from upstairs are securely suspended up and away from the water. If the water has reached the height of outlets, you won't be able to use your home's electricity at all. Always use extreme caution when dealing with outlets or electricity and call a professional if you are the least bit concerned about electrical shock. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination.

Types of Damage

• The type of damage you'll face depends on what you use your basement for. If it's fully or partially finished, you can count on wet drywall, insulation, carpeting, furniture and electronics and a damaged furnace and water heater. You'll need to tear out walls, carpet, ruined tile and insulation, or you might need to hire a professional to remove all the debris and haul it away. If your basement consists of concrete floors and walls or is used just for storage, your costs will be much less, depending on what you were storing. The sentimental value of lost photos or family keepsakes can't be measured.

Replacement, Repair and Prevention Costs

• If water damages the furnace, water heater or other gas or electric appliances, they'll need to be replaced. Carpeting will need to be replaced, though drywall that incurs no water damage can be salvaged. You'll need to identify how high the water soaked the drywall and cut several inches above that line if you don't replace the entire walls. Wet insulation will need to be removed and replaced. Run a dehumidifier in the basement until everything is dry to prevent the development of mold. If mold takes hold, you may need to hire a mold mitigation professional. If the cause wasn't obvious, hire a professional to determine why your basement flooded and take steps to fix the problem.