Things You'll Need:
- Utility Pump
- Shop Vac
- Steam Cleaner
- Mop and Bucket
- Big sponges
- Flashlights
- Dehumidifier
- Large Electric Fan
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Step 1
First and foremost, turn off the circuit breaker to the basement, if not the entire house (to be extra-careful). If you have live electrical appliances in contact with water, you could be electrocuted. With a flashlight, unplug any appliances or anything plugged into the wall outlet.
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Step 2
Once the electrical hazards are removed, fix the source of the water problem. Examples and solutions are below:
Broken or malfunctioning sump pump (repair or replace immediately).
Backed up sewer lines (clear the lines with an auger or hire a professional).
Excess water runoff from your yard coming into the basement (divert the water away from the house).
Broken water main in the house (Turn off the water main and call a professional).
Broken water main outside the house (This could be very difficult to find. Turn off the water main and call a professional). -
Step 3
In many cases, the discovery of the flood is when the problem has stabilized, such as the stopping of excessive rain. So if it is safe to drain the water, begin cleaning up immediately.
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Step 4
If your sump pump is not fixed or you are unable to get a sump pump, get a utility pump that you can just connect with a hose. It is better than nothing.
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Step 5
If you have pumped out enough water, you can use a shop vac to remove the remaining puddles. If you don't have a shop vac, a steam cleaner set to just suck water will be a good substitute. It will be better than mopping forever.
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Step 6
Areas that can't be dried up with a shop vac or steam cleaner will have to be reached by mop or a large sponge.
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Step 7
Get a dehumidifier and turn it on at full power. Get at least one fan and turn it on at the highest setting. This will dry up the basement faster and reduce the chances of molds and bacteria growing and multiplying out of control.
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Step 8
Move any object that is wet such as boxes, area rugs, blankets, stuffed animals, etc., to a drier area.
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Step 9
If the basement has carpeting and drywall you may need a professional to ensure that mold and bacterial hazards are removed. If you have a water heater, air conditioning system, central heating, or other utility systems you will need a professional to fix any water damage that has occurred to them.
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Step 10
Contact your homeowners insurance to see what is covered and what is not.
