Cleaning Your Basement After Water Damage

Flooding in the basement can be a true nightmare. You’re likely to have valuables and appliances that will be affected. One look at all the water can be overwhelming. Take heart. There are some steps you can follow at home to tackle your clean-up job head on.

Get Rid of the Water
First things first, you need to get rid of the water. A sump pump, wet vacuum, and buckets can help you to get phase one accomplished. If the water is coming from a problem with your pipes, turn the water off at the source to stop the flow. If it’s an issue with a main water line, contact the water department immediately to keep more water from coming in. If it’s due to the forces of nature, you can attempt to divert the water away from your house. When the water is gone, clean up can begin.

Clear the Floor
The next thing you’ll need to do is the tedious job of bringing everything out of the basement that has been affected by water damage. If you’re fortunate, you can get a team of friends to give you a hand. Sort out the trash and what can be saved. Bring items outside or to another room where they can completely dry out.

Begin the Drying Process
Before you can make any repairs, the basement needs to be thoroughly dried. Bring in the industrial strength fans, run dehumidifiers, and buy absorbent products that are intended to help cut down on moisture. Once the area is completely dry, you can wash the floors and any other surfaces with a cleanser and disinfectant to address any potential contaminants.

Make Repairs
If you have wet drywall, you’ll need to remove it. You’ll use a drywall patch to cover any gaps, spreading joint compound over the repaired area. Once the patch is dry, you can sand it down and paint.

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