Flooded Basement? Here’s What You Need To Know

If last night's storm left water in your basement, your safety comes first. 

Before entering flooded areas or starting cleanup, review these important tips from Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service.

• If there is water flooding into your basement, leave the area and connect with your insurance provider.  If there is fire or an electrical emergency, call 9-1-1.
• Do not attempt to shut off the electricity if any water is present. Combining water and live electrical wires can be lethal. If your home is flooding, leave immediately and do not return until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
• Move valuable belongings to the highest areas of the home.
• Apply water-tight sealant around window and door frames.
• Plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a wooden stopper, if safe to do so.
• Move hazardous substances, such as household cleaning chemicals, insecticides and pesticides, to upper areas of the home.
• Turn off electricity and natural gas if directed to do so by authorities.

• Check with Alectra Utilities Inc. that power has been turned off to your home – if it has not been turned off, have an electrician turn off the power.

   

 After a flood

• Once authorities have advised it is safe to return home, restore your home to good order as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the house and its contents.
• While cleaning, minimize contact with floodwater or anything that may have been in contact with it. Keep children away from contaminated areas during cleanup operations.

  Re-entering the home or building

• Use extreme caution when returning to your home or building, and make sure the building is structurally safe. Look for buckled walls or floors and watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.
• If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter the home until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.
• Only use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
• Photograph all damage for insurance purposes.
• Dispose of all contaminated foods.
• Drain floodwaters in the basement slowly, one-third of the volume per day.
• The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried and tested by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is safe – also, have the furnace and chimney inspected by an HVAC company.
• Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do not use any appliances, heating, pressure or sewage system until electrical components have been thoroughly cleaned, dried and inspected by a qualified electrician.

Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service offers a number of tips on their website for dealing with storms and other emergency situations. 

For the latest updates, sign up for Vaughan News and follow the official corporate channels on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.