Last Updated on February 11, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
Flooding is a serious issue. It can particularly affect your basement. If you’re in the basement, here’s how best to clean it so you can avoid any additional damage.
Don’t Panic
The first thing to do is avoid panic. Water in the basement is a problem, but it can be fixed. That said, if you are wondering how to clean a flooded basement, you’ll want to take a deep breath and remind yourself you have this in hand before getting started with basement cleaning.
Your First Steps
Your first steps should be about making sure you have the equipment you need on hand. You’re going to need a vacuum, cleaning supplies and protective equipment. You’re also going to need to ensure you can protect your body parts from any problems that you might have when handling dangerous chemicals and removing items that are heavy and waterlogged.
Related: How to Fix a Water Leak in Your Basement After a Heavy Rain
Allow Some Time
It’s tempting to start work immediately. However, as those at 58 Foundations remind people, it’s a good idea to allow at least some time for the items to dry out fully. Consider waiting at least twenty-four hours before you do anything else. That will let you have time to assess the problem and make sure the water has stopped flowing into your basement, and you can have a look at the entire issue from every angle.
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Damaged Items
Many people store lots of items in the basement. This is a convenient place to put larger items when they are not in use. At the same time, the items may be in danger if the basement starts to flood.
If you have an issue with flooding, you’ll want to think about all of the items in the area and the impact the flooding might have had on them. Now is the time to sort through everything in the part of your home.
In general, you can divide each item into items that are fine, items that are only slightly damaged and things that are too damaged to salvage. Things that are fine can be left alone, but you’ll want to take steps to keep them that way.
Items that are slightly damaged may need repairs, such as patching up fabric that has been damaged by water. Things that are too damaged to fix should be thrown out. Otherwise, you’re at risk of mold and mildew in the basement even after the water has been cleared away.
Related: How To Waterproof Basement Walls From The Inside
Wash All Areas
Once the water is totally gone, you’ll want to take things in hand by cleaning the entire basement. This is when you need to have cleaning supplies at the ready. You want to clean all of the walls and the floors. The floors should be vacuumed.
The walls should be cleaned with a basic cleaning solution. Make sure you have gloves to protect your hand and a place to empty the dirty water as you clean. These simple steps will help ensure your basement is fully cleaned and returned to normal function after any flooding