April showers may be necessary for May flowers, but the extra precipitation is certainly not welcome in the form of a flooded basement! If you do find yourself with a flood, whether from excessive rainfall, melting snow, a burst water supply pipe in the home or a sewer backup, keep these points in mind:

1. Cut the basement's electrical power immediately to avoid the risk of electrical shock.

2. If the water is clean and flowing down through the house from an upper level, it may be due to a burst water supply pipe. Shut off the main incoming water valve in this case.

3. If the water originated from the sanitary sewer it may contain raw sewage, and may therefore contain disease-bearing bacteria. Wear protective gloves, safety glasses, a face mask and rubber boots, and remember not to flush the toilet or run a washing machine or dishwasher as this can increase the flooding.

4. Call your insurance company, who can direct you to which contractors to call and advise on cleanup measures and claim procedures.

Take a few minutes now, while it's on your mind, to gather important documents and irreplaceable personal belongings and place them in a waterproof bin, just in case!

From The Virani Team April 2016 Newsletter - Courtesy of Market Connections Inc.