Dealing With A Flooded Basement
Posted on: 14 September 2015
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If water has gotten into your home's basement, and you are unable to reach a water damage restoration service because there are several people in your neighborhood suffering from the same problem, you will want to start the cleanup process on your own to avoid excessive damage. Cleaning after a flood is a time-consuming process, but with the help from some friends, you may be able to get the situation under control on your own. Here are some general instructions to follow when cleaning a flooded basement.
Removing Water
The electricity should be turned off to the basement area of your home while you are working on water removal. If you have running electricity in your home, you can use an extension cord to plug in a water pump to aid in water removal. If there is no power supply at all, an adapter can be purchased to plug a water pump into a vehicle outlet to run a water pump. If you do not have a vehicle, you will need to remove water using buckets.
Make sure your skin is completely covered when working with flood water, as it harbors bacteria that can cause illness or skin lesions. Waders, gloves, pants and long-sleeved shirts will help keep bacteria at bay. Direct the water at a lower incline than your home so it does not make its way back into your basement.
Drying Process
After the main bulk of water is removed, you need to dry the basement. Use towels to wipe down any areas where you see water. Open all windows and doors to the basement so a cross-breeze will help dry the area naturally. When you regain electricity, use oscillating fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the room quicker.
Battling Mold
If your basement has carpeting, it is best to remove it to help keep mold from growing within the material. A carpet pad acts somewhat like a sponge and will harbor mold spores within. Rip out your carpeting and replace with new or bring it to a carpet cleaning specialist to help remove mold spores from within. Pieces of drywall that were saturated will also harbor mold spores. They should be cut out of the walls and replaced with new pieces.
After your room is completely dry, each surface that was under water needs to be wiped down with a mold-killing solution. Hiring a mold remediation service is best, as they have the proper cleansers to ensure mold will not grow in your basement. If you undertake the project yourself, use a commercial-grade mold and mildew remover to spray on each surface. Wipe it down with a clean piece of cloth. Periodically check the room for any areas where walls or floors seem blackened. If you notice mold has already set in, a mold removal specialist should handle the job, as black mold is very dangerous to battle due to health risks.