Minor flooding in the basement can be resolved by simply mopping the floor but however small the extent of the flood is, it is a sign of a structural problem. It would be wise to have it checked before you wind up with a more damaging flood in the basement that cannot be cleaned by the mere use of a mop.



The basic outline in dealing with a flooded basement should be as follows: entering, pumping, cleaning, drying and repairing.

Before entering a flooded basement it is important to turn off the electricity from the meter. Check the outside walls for structural damage or other hazards and open doors and windows to allow fresh air into the basement. Blowers may also be used to bring fresh air in.

When using an electric pump do not use your own electrical source. For safety reasons it is advisable to use a gas-powered pump or you can use an outside line. Some fire departments may assist with the pumping services. If you have major flooding, water pumping should be done carefully since water in the basement helps brace the walls against the pressure of water-logged soil outside. If pumped too soon, the walls may push in. To prevent this, remove only a third of the water each day. Watch also for signs of structural failing. Soil is slow to drain so don't rush the pumping. If there is anything submerged in the flooded basement the damage does not get any further from the delay of pumping.

After water has been pumped out of a flooded basement, hose the silt off the walls before it dries and take out any debris or mud while it is still soft. The area will need sanitizing particularly if sewage has entered the basement. Use disinfecting solution to scrub the walls and floors. To make a disinfecting solution, put 1 cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. There are also many commercial products available in the market to tackle your cleaning problem.

So you have pumped out the water and cleaned up the flooded basement. The next step would be drying the basement. A good humidifier should do the job. To maximize the result, the humidifier will need to run non-stop; that means 24/7 to completely dry the former flooded basement of its dank basement air and saturated concrete. A good humidifier has an auto switch that turns off when the catch bucket is full. But if you are using it non-stop you will have to modify the catch bucket to avoid going up and down the stairs a couple of times a day. See if the unit has a drain fitting to attach a garden hose. If it does, route it into the sump pump hole. It is not a wise idea to combine water and electricity. Be sure to take precautions when using electrical equipments in a formerly flooded basement.

Everything is now dry and you have to start with the additional water damage restoration repairs. Unless you're one, a thorough structural inspection is better left to the contractor, a reliable one at that. To get a good rate, consider joining with neighbors for a group rate.