How to Clean Up Water in a Basement

A leaking pipe can soak your basement.

A water-logged basement can be a real problem for any homeowner, resulting in mold, structural problems and damage to belongings stored in the basement. Moisture from the air can even damage items you have stored high up on shelves. If you have a flooding issue in your basement, don't ignore the problem. Get to work right away.

Things You'll Need

• Wet/dry vacuum cleaner
• Dehumidifier
• Fan or high-speed blower

Instructions

1. Turn off your water shut-off valve if the water is coming from a leaking or broken pipe.

2. Remove anything you can, including items on shelves or off the floor that have not yet been submerged in water. If you can remove items that are soaked, take them outside to dry.

3. Use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to dry up the standing water. Pull up any carpet so you can vacuum both beneath the carpet and on top of the carpet.

4. Turn on a dehumidifier to dry the moisture in the air. This will also help dry furniture, walls and carpeting, which may lessen the damage. When using a dehumidifier, keep all windows closed.

5. Use a fan or high-speed blower to dry cement. Cement floors or walls absorb water, so it's important to make sure all the cement in your basement is dried as quickly as possible.

6. Remove water from inside the walls to prevent further damage. Drill a small hole, only about an inch or two wide, toward the bottom of you wall. Set up the dehumidifier nearby and turn it on. This will start gathering water from behind the wall and will also speed up the process of drying soaked walls.

7. Assess the damage of less significant items yourself. Depending on the amount of water that got into the basement, things like the carpet and certain appliances may be ruined for good.

8. Bring in a restoration company to help with the decisions that need to be made after the flooding. You'll need to know what state your floors, walls, and especially the structure of your home are in. If they are seriously damaged, the restoration expert may recommend major changes to your basement. Always consider bringing in a different company for a second opinion before you make a costly decision.

References

• The Restoration Resource: How to Clean Up a Wet Basement