How to Clean Up & Prevent Damage After a Flood in the Basement

By:    |   Published May 26, 2017
Interior of a home flooded with water.

Even the most well-prepared homeowners sometimes can’t prevent environmental disasters from happening. Whether it’s a fierce storm or a burst pipe, flooded basements are a reality that affects hundreds of thousands of homes each year. What can you do to minimize the damage from a flood in the basement? Read our tips on the proper way to handle basement flooding, including recommendations on how to protect yourself before they happen.

Staying Safe:

The most important thing to remember is to never enter a basement that’s flooded if it could have electricity running. Chances are if your basement flooded, you either don’t have a sump pump, or you don’t have a sump pump with an emergency battery backup. If the power went out, you may want to get it restored right away to get your sump pump going again. But any electricity in the water creates a deadly hazard. Make sure to disable ALL of the power to the basement, a socket that’s not being used or loose wires you can’t see can still electrify the water.

Additionally, if your flood was due to backed up sewage, the average homeowner is not equipped to safely clean it up. You will need to contact a professional, as sewage can contain a large volume of contaminants that spread illness or disease.

Steps for Cleaning Up:

#1. Turn Off Water & Power.

If your basement flooding happened due to a leaky or burst pipe, the first step is to turn off the water. This will prevent any further water from filling the space and give you time to contact a plumber. It’s also critical to ensure the power is off for the entire basement. If you’re not completely confident that the water is safe, don’t attempt to enter the basement at all— call a professional.

#2. Remove Everything You Can

When you’re positive there’s no risk of electric shock, you can begin removing items that can be saved. Start by taking out any electronics, both for safety purposes and to potentially salvage them. You will have to remove furniture and anything stored in the area. Depending on the purity of the water, some of it may be reusable once it’s dried. A leaky pipe often just causes water damage, but backed up sewage or a groundwater flood will likely introduce bacteria into anything it touches, requiring you to throw it away or have it professionally cleaned.

#3. Clean Up Excess Water

Once your basement is safe and you have most of your salvageable items removed, you can start to tackle the water that’s remaining. There are a number of ways accomplish this, but they depend on the equipment you have available. The simplest solution is to use towels and buckets, soaking up and dumping the water elsewhere. A shop vac can also help, but make sure not to plug it in anywhere that could put you at risk for electric shock.

#4. Remove Moisture

After your basement has had all of the flooded water removed, you’ll need to dry out the area. Open the windows and use fans to help remove moisture from the environment. If you own a dehumidifier, make sure to turn it on with the windows closed and regularly empty it. Remember when using a dehumidifier to remove contaminated water that the dehumidifier itself will then also be contaminated and should be replaced after you’re finished.

If your basement is carpeted, you will need to remove the carpet. Even if you do everything to dry it out, moisture can stay trapped beneath it and lead to major mold problems. You probably won’t be able to save the carpet, especially if the flood came from an unclean water source.

You will also need to remove drywall and insulation. They can act as sponges for the water, and you’ll need to access the areas behind them to fully dry out the supports and make sure no wiring is still exposed to water. It’s highly recommended to leave these steps to a professional, to ensure the job is done thoroughly and without risking more damage to your home.

#5. Disinfect the Area

Once the basement is dry, you will have to disinfect everything. Even if the flood water was “clean,” moisture can quickly let bacteria and mold begin to thrive in your basement. Any surface that was wet or near the flood will need to be thoroughly disinfected. This may drastically reduce your chance for developing mold or other illnesses in the future.

Protect Yourself Against Water Damage

There’s a lot you can do to avoid water damage. Staying proactive will help reduce your risk of flooding, and save yourself countless hours and potentially hundreds of dollars in damage and expenses from a basement flood.

Keep Your Gutters Maintained

Your gutters are your home’s first line of defense against rain and flooding. As a homeowner, it’s crucial to clean and maintain your gutters each year. Their function is to prevent water from amassing against your home. When your gutters are clogged, they don’t function effectively and increase your risk of flood damage.

Make Sure Your Foundation Slopes Away from Your Home

If the land grading around your home is not done properly, runoff can be directed into your foundation. Not only will this damage the foundation over time, it also puts you at a serious risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. The grading for your home depends on many factors, and it’s not impossible to correct improper grading. If you’re not sure about your home’s land grading, contact a professional to make sure that you aren’t at risk.

Professional Waterproofing

Professional waterproofing can help prevent major damage in the event of a flood, as well as reduce your home’s chances of flooding in the first place. If you have cracks in your foundation, or if your foundation needs complete replacement, it’s important to deal with these issues fast. EverDry Toledo can inspect your foundation and help you decide which waterproofing solutions may be right for you.

4 Basement Waterproofing Options Info Graphic

Call Team EverDry Today!

For your next basement waterproofing project, contact us online to schedule an appointment or give us a call at (419) 469-1780. We also offer a free 20-point inspection to any homeowner who wants to make sure their basement is safe, secure, and moisture free.

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