What To Do If Your Basement Becomes Flooded

When a basement becomes flooded it can be frustrating to clean as well as the amount of items that become ruined. A basement in most homes becomes a catch all for unused seasonal items, might need someday paperwork and a lot of mementos. It may take several days to get a specialist to come out and clean up the mess or you could do it yourself. You can do the clean up but you should do it in a process to avoid any further damage.

First and foremost you will need to find out what caused the flooding. Check for any open windows and if there are visible floor drains check for blockage. In most cases it occurs from a drain being backed up or possible from water seeping in from outside flooding. To remove the water using a dry wet vacuum soak up as much of the water as possible.

After cleaning up all liquid, sort the boxes and remove anything you can salvage. Dry the items removed from the cardboard boxes and place them in a plastic tub with a lid. The plastic will protect the items should the flooding happen in the future. Do not put wet items in the storage containers as they will mold .

While you are in the basement now is a good time to get in some general cleaning. To remove any cobwebs in corners or on the ceiling use a Dyson upright vacuum cleaner with attachments. Clean all glass and windows with a solution of vinegar and water to put a stop to dust buildup.

Do not plug any cords into outlets that were affected by the water. If the floors still have dampness to them use a delonghi space heater directed at the floor or walls to thoroughly dry. Removing any moisture will prevent mold from forming in hidden areas.

When all areas are clean and dry apply a good quality water proofing paint on all exposed walls to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing the walls to weaken. Once the paint is dry put all plastic cartons back in the area. Stack them up away from areas that may produce possible damage.

If the flooding occurred due to a drain that backed up or if the sump pump went bad, you should contact a plumber to make any repairs that are needed. Having these problems fixed correctly will possibly prevent a future flood. You may want to wait until the problem is fixed before putting any items of meaning in the basement.