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How to Clean a Basement after a Flood

When your basement floods, it’s not pretty! Whether you are dealing with a storage area flood, family media room flood, or basement bedroom flood, the damage can be huge. When an unfinished area floods the lack of flooring typically allows water to move more quickly across the room, damaging all the boxes and keepsake items you have stored in there. Whereas, when a finished area like a bedroom, living room, media room, or office floods, the water often moves more slowly. However, the damage it does can be more costly because the materials used in these areas are more expensive. Finished basements may end up with damaged or ruined carpets, floorboards, or tile, baseboards, drywall, technology, appliances, and other personal belongings. In either case, the cleanup process can be costly.

The faster you can get the water cleaned up, the less damage it will do. When a flood happens, speed is of the essence! Call an experienced water restoration company right away. They will help you with the following steps:

  1. Get The Water Pumped Out – If there is standing water, you will need to get that removed before the restoration process can begin. If there is evidence of water but not enough to require a pump out, the restoration experts will begin drying up the space.

  2. Remove any Waterlogged Materials – Pull up carpeting and carpet pads underneath. Move wet furniture elsewhere. Remove wet boxes, artwork, or other items sitting or hanging in the flooded area.

  3. Clean Up Debris – If the water that flooded in your basement was from a broken pipe, you likely won’t have much to clean up because that water isn’t dirty. However, if the water was from heavy rains that flooded your basement or a sewer backup, that can introduce very dirty water and debris into your home. Get a professional’s help to clean up anything hazardous to keep your family safe. Water restoration companies know how to follow the proper safety protocols to clean up contaminated spaces. They will also know which kinds of products to use of different surfaces to keep them in the best condition possible during the cleanup process.

  4. Open Up Windows – If there are windows that can be opened, get those opened to keep air moving through the space.

  5. Dry It Up – A professional home restoration company will bring in industrial-sized fans to blow and dry out the area as quickly as possible to prevent mold growth.

  6. Remove Mold – Mold can grow extremely quickly after a flooding situation. If mold is discovered during any part of the cleanup process, mold remediation services will be necessary to stop it from spreading elsewhere and making your family sick.

  7. Replace Damaged Materials – When drywall gets wet, it acts like a sponge, irreparably damaging it. In most flooded basements the drywall will need to be replaced as part of the restoration process. Other materials like carpeting and furniture can likely be saved though to avoid the cost of needed to replace them. 

  8. Take Additional Precautions to Avoid Future Flooding – This is an optional step, but after going through the hassle of a home flood many homeowners decide to take extra precautions to prevent against flood damage in the future. Installing water sensors is a relatively inexpensive way to stay informed if water does ever enter your home again. Some sensors will merely beep when water is detected to notify you when you are home, while others can connect to your phone or home alarm system to send you a notification no matter where you are.

When you have a flooded basement, give our water restoration experts a call. We will come out day or night to help you to get the mess cleaned up as quickly as possible! 

Additional resources:
Professional Water Restoration Advice
What to do After a Basement Flood
Do You Have Mold?
How to Prevent Mold Growth
Insurance Claim Filing for a Flooded Basement
The Cost of Flood Damage Restoration
Water Restoration Costs Explained
Next Steps after a Home Flood
How Fast can Mold Grow after Water Damage
What Kind of Damage does a Flood Cause?
Basement Flooding when it Rains
Do this when Your Basement Floods!
What does a Stinky Smell Mean after a Basement Flood?
Flood Cleanup Products
Am I Covered from a Flooded Basement?
Who is Best to Clean Up a Basement Flood?
Understanding Repeated Basement Flooding
Top Causes of a Basement Flood
Help! Water is Leaking in My Basement!
What is "Water Restoration" Anyways?
Do You Need Water Restoration?
Basement Pump Out Near Me
Critical Clean Up Activities after a Flood
Finding Local Water Restoration Services
The Water Restoration Process Explained
Emergency Water Services to the Rescue!
Why does Water Come In after Heavy Rain?
The Cost to Clean Up a Flooded Basement
My Basement is Flooding!
Water Removal and Restoration 101
Why Do Basements Flood?
What Causes Water to Come in Along Basement Floors?
Basement Flooding without Rain
Will My Water Damage Lead to Mold Growth?