How to Clean a Flooded Basement

Basement flooding can occur at any moment, especially in the spring, when snow melts and spring storms start. Flooding can happen even in dry weather due to unexpected blockages into the sewer system around your home. If you’ve experienced basement flooding, it is imperative to take care of the situation immediately. To assist you to overcome this emergency, check out this basement flood cleanup guide: 

How to Tidy Up a Flooded Basement

Tackling basement flood repair yourself isn’t a fantastic idea, so keep the amount of a water damage restoration expert on hand. However, if you would like to handle the problem yourself, here are essential flooded cellar repair hints:

Things to do immediately after a basement flooding

  • First, ensure it’s safe to enter your home. Check for structural damage, such as cracks, holes, or warping.
  • Immediately shut off the electrical supply to your residence at the main circuit breaker. Be conscious of electrical wires which are under the water amount.
  • If the flood is a result of a burst water pipe in your house, shut off the water source.
  • Avoid direct contact with floodwater, which may contain dangerous contaminants. If you have to walk through floodwater, wear protective clothing, such as disposable overalls, eyewear, gloves, and a face mask.
  • Call your insurer, shoot photos, and document all damaged items. Make a list of the possessions to restore and to lose. This can aid you with your insurance claim.
  • If you have a sump pump set up, wait for it to drain the floodwater. If the pump has a backup battery, then it must drain the water even if the power is off.

Basement flooding cleanup tips

  • Instantly remove affected items from floodwater to prevent mold expansion, warping, and rust. Items that suck up a lot of water (like carpet and furniture) can usually be salvaged if they have been in floodwater for under 24 hours. Otherwise, throw them off.
  • Completely dry the cellar to avoid additional damage and mold growth.
    • Suck the water up using a sump pump and a Wet-Dry vacuum.
    • Use dehumidifiers and ventilate the cellar as far as possible. Use fans and open windows when the weather permits, but not if the external humidity is high. This permits moist air from behind the walls to evaporate.
    • Properly drying a flooded basement can require up to two weeks.
  • After that which has been dried, clean and disinfect the basement contents and construction (walls, foundation floor, drywall, etc.). You might need to discard the drywall and wood in case a lot of molds have grown.
  • Don’t use bleach to clean mold because bleach kills reside mold but not mold spores. Household detergent is more preferable.
  • Regardless of the size of the mold-affected area, carefully think about contacting a water damage restoration company. They could identify the moisture source and also revive the moldy surfaces economically and without the danger of mold recurrence.
  • Make any necessary repairs, such as filling base cracks, replacing damaged drywall with a mold-resistant type, and sealing vents and windows.
  • If your basement has been flooded with sewer, have a look at our recommendations to handle sewage backup in a basement.

The Way to Prevent Basement Flooding

  • Clean your gutters and downspouts and divert rainwater six feet away from the house. Also, be sure that the ground is slightly sloping away from your property. Check this property damage restoration to learn more.
  • Install an emergency generator to provide your house with electricity through blackouts.
  • Install a sump pump that automatically drains water out of the basement and prevents water from climbing. Choose one with a backup battery.
  • Install porous pavement around your house to help absorb rainwater and thawed snow.
  • Ensure your drainage systems and pipes are working correctly.
  • Read more ideas to prevent basement water damage and also check out the leading causes of basement flooding.

For basement flooding cleanup, phone the PuroClean restoration professionals.

Whether your basement has flooded due to excessive rain, sewage backup, a pipe burst, or other reasons, we stand ready to visit your property’s rescue. Our technicians are trained and certified to deal with emergencies like basement flooding repair, mold removal, and water damage recovery. We have over 280 offices located across North America that are ready to answer your telephone 24/7/365. Visit their website for more information.

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