Basement Flood Cleanup: 6 Steps to Remove Water and Restore Property

Looking at pools of water covering the ground in your basement is overwhelming, to put it mildly. Homeowners may not know where to begin or how to begin the basement flood cleanup process. Questions will undoubtedly abound: What nasty, unthinkable things are floating in this water? How do I move around this safely? Is the carpeting or cement damaged for life?

There’s so much to consider, which is why hiring a water removal company to help you will make a significant difference. Whether you try to remove the standing water and clean up your basement on your own or hire a contractor to do the challenging job for you, the following steps should be taken. It’s important to understand these steps both for your safety and for planning purposes.

6 Steps to Take to Clean Up Your Basement After a Flood

1. Prioritize safety.‍

Never walk into a room when water is present on the floor. Extension cords or other electrical wiring may be compromised, and the standing water could be electrified.

Begin by shutting off plumbing and turning off electrical outlets that are connected to the basement. (During freezing temperatures, be sure to turn the water back on as soon as it is safe to do so, as frozen water in pipes can cause them to burst.)

Do not walk through or touch standing water without waterproof boots, gloves, safety googles and protective coveralls. Watch your step as you are removing water and cleaning up the basement; it will likely be dark, so electrical dangers and tripping hazards may be difficult to spot. Keep children and pets away from the area.

Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, leave the house immediately and call 911 or your energy company.

2. Remove the water.

Rent a gasoline-powered water pump, which is ideal for large amounts of water. Pump out water gradually, starting at the lowest point. Direct water away from your house.

For smaller amounts, a wet-dry shop vacuum can be used. Use a squeegee to move water toward floor drains or to make it easier to use the wet-dry vacuum.

‍3. Determine what you can salvage. Promptly dispose of the rest.

Porous items like cardboard, insulation and furniture often can’t be salvaged. You may possibly be able to save the carpet, but the padding underneath will most likely need to be replaced.

Dispose of any foods or drinks that you may have stored in the basement if the water came into contact with them.

Use soap, water and a disinfectant solution to clean hard, non-porous items.

A ray of light in this situation is that you may be able to recover, clean and restore more items than you realize. Hays + Sons can help with not only basement flood cleanup, but also electronics repair, artwork restoration and more. Ask a member of our team about the possibilities and your options.

4. Dry out the basement.

Enhance air circulation by opening windows and doors, and use fans and dehumidifiers to pull away moisture, which can lead to mold and musty odors in the basement.

Remember to inspect hidden areas around the basement that may have been impacted by the flooding, and then clear out, dry and disinfect these areas accordingly.

5. Determine the source of the flooding.‍

A sump pump malfunction is a common reason for basement flooding, so check your pump to make sure it is operating properly. In addition to excessive rainfall and backed up sewer systems, other sources of flooding include damaged or malfunctioning walls, windows, floors, pipes, hoses, floor drains, toilets, sinks, bathtubs and showers.

6. Clean and disinfect the ground and furniture.

Once you have cleared out the water, disposed of unsalvageable items and dried out the area, it’s time to clean. Scrub walls, floors and other hard surfaces with an environmentally friendly, strong disinfecting solution. Clean household items, such as picture frames and trinkets, that may have been compromised.

You may wish to apply mold prevention products to the surfaces afterward.

Follow-Up Steps

Once you complete the essential basement flood cleanup steps, it’s important to take several follow-up precautions.

• Look for cracks or bowing on the ground or walls. These could be signs that you will need additional repairs or that the source of the flooding was not properly remediated.
• Keep your eyes on your drywall and furniture over the next few weeks to ensure there is no mold growth. If you do smell or see mold, contact Hays + Sons to remove the mold and prevent future growth. It’s important to address this issue quickly to stop the growth and to prevent skin and eye irritation due to mold spores in the air. When you choose Hays + Sons for assistance, we can use infrared equipment to detect mold even when it's not visible to the naked eye.
• Hire an electrician to check for damage to outlets, wiring and electrical appliances. Ensure that appliances, such as your washer and dryer, are not damaged before you use them again.
• Collect expense receipts and photos as documentation for homeowners’ insurance purposes, and file an insurance claim if flood damage is covered. Recognized by most major insurance companies, Hays + Sons can help guide you through this process.

Hiring a local emergency restoration company for basement flood cleanup can help you reduce the stress, mess and dangers, as well as provide you with the support and expertise needed to save precious items when possible. For more information or assistance, send us a message through our website, or call our 24-hour emergency hotline at 800-536-4056.