Did your basement recently flood?
Dealing with a flooded basement can be time-consuming and stressful. But, you need to make sure you act quickly. Otherwise, you risk irreversible damage to your home.
But, how do you clean up the mess?
Check out this guide to learn how to clean a flooded basement.
1. Remove the Flood Water
First things first, you need to remove the floodwater. You can use towels, wet-dry vacuums, pumps, and squeegees to remove as much of the water as possible.
If you have clogged floor drains, try using a drain snake or plunging the floor. If you don’t have any water removal equipment handy, you can rent or buy a pump from a local hardware store.
After you’ve removed all of the water, dry out the area with dehumidifiers and fans. Not only will this speed up the drying process, but it’ll also prevent mold and mildew from forming. If possible, open your windows and doors to allow for more air circulation.
2. Clean Up the Mess
Once you’ve gotten your space as dry as possible, it’s time to clean up the mess.
Your floor coverings, walls, upholstery, and carpets are all porous materials. This means that basic cleaning won’t suffice to prevent floodwater damage. Basic cleaning will only remove visible contamination. You’ll need to do a deep clean to get rid of microorganisms and other contaminants soaking into your surfaces.
Everything that has come in contact with floodwater should be disinfected and deodorized. Most of the time, you can use household cleaners to get the job done.
After cleaning your surfaces with a household cleaner, follow up with disinfectant. You can make a simple disinfectant at home by diluting bleach with water.
You also may find that you need to throw some items out that have been damaged by floodwater. It’s often difficult to salvage old books, blankets, throw pillows, clothes, photographs, and papers.
If your basement has carpet flooring, rip it out immediately, as this will allow the flooring underneath to properly dry. If you notice any damage to your drywall, cut it out and throw it away as well as any affected insulation.
Call a Water Restoration Company
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the flood damage clean up you need to do, you can call a water restoration company.
A water restoration company, such as Americanwaterproofers.com, can help you drain the water from your basement and salvage any valuable items. Most water restoration companies are available at a moment’s notice, so you don’t need to wait days before cleaning up the damage.
How to Clean a Flooded Basement: Time to Clean
Now that you know how to clean a flooded basement, it’s time to put these tips into action. If you add quick, you can minimize the damage done to your basement and salvage your belongings.
Be sure to check back in with our blog for more tips and tricks on dealing with natural disasters.
