A flooded basement can be devastating and the cause to a loss of many important items. A vast majority of people use their basements as storage space for seasonal items, paperwork and other items that have lost a place in the main living areas. When the flooding happens, you can contact a specialist or you can do the cleanup on your own. Doing the work yourself may be quicker than waiting for assistance. It is a lot of work, but not that difficult to complete.

The most important thing to do is to figure out what initiated the flooding. If it was not from an obvious outside flood that could have worked its way into the basement, it could be a drain problem. Remove as much of the water as possible with a dry wet vacuum before attempting to sort through any cardboard boxes.

After getting up as much liquid as possible, you will need to remove the items that do not have severe damage. If you have cardboard boxes, sort through them before removing from the basement. To restore the items put them in plastic containers as opposed to cardboard to avoid more damage should you experience another flooding. Remember to completely dry any items before placing in plastic containers to avoid mold building up on them.

While you are in this area it might be a good time to do some other maintenance work and general cleaning. Using a Dyson upright vacuum cleaner with attachments clean all cobwebs from ceiling, corners and crevices.

Do not plug any cords into outlets that were affected by the water. If the floors still have dampness to them use a delonghi space heater directed at the floor or walls to thoroughly dry. Removing any moisture will prevent mold from forming in hidden areas.

After you have completely cleaned and dried out the basement apply water proofing paint to the walls. The paint will prevent excess moisture from crumbling the walls and prevent mold. After paint is completely dry you can return the plastic tubs back to the basement.

Should you find out the flood was due to backed up drains contact a plumber. The plumber will be able to repair any damaged pipes and recommend future preventions. If you discovered the backup was due to a covered floor drain remove anything from the area of the drain that could potentially result in another flooding.

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Black mold removal from home basements and cellars is invariably a problem. They are perfect breeding grounds for mold because they are cold, dark and damp and the ideal location for black mold spores to move into and raise a large family. Since prevention is better than cure, the best defense against mold taking up residency in the first place is to remove the conditions where it is able to flourish. Consequently, your first step is to cleanup any mold that may have already set up home in your basement or cellar. Every last spore needs to be cleaned out without exception. It is important to start with a fresh clean slate when it comes to the treatment of mold issues successfully.

Cleaning Basement Mold

The first step in removing black mold is to prepare a cleaning solution of one cup of chlorine bleach added to one gallon of water. You should put on a dust mask to prevent the inhalation of mold spores along with a pair of good quality rubber gloves, without air holes, before beginning the cleaning. Put on the cleaning solution to the area to be cleaned and leave it sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before drying off completely. Absorbent materials like carpets and cardboard boxes should be gotten rid of in commercial grade plastic refuse sacks for later disposal.

Once you are satisfied that all of the mold has been cleaned out of the basement, you need to take steps to ensure that it does not return. Preventing black mold in basements is a three-step process.

These steps are doing away with clutter, removing dampness and repairing the origins of any water ingression followed by frequent maintenance and checkups. A good clean up and de-cluttering will give you easy access to all of the wall space. This might entail creating new storage solutions, heaping everything in the middle of the room, or simply getting rid of the whole shebang. Having cleared everything away from the walls, you can now carry out a careful examination for water ingression.

If you discover damp spots on the walls, either treat them with sealant, especially if you have cinder block walls, or contact a professional to take care of the problem for you. It cannot be stressed enough that getting rid of the water is the most important step in eliminating the mold. You may also look at putting in a wet basement dehumidifier which is specially designed to get rid of large quantities of water vapor from basements.

Regular inspection and if needs be, routine maintenance is the final step to make sure the mold does not return. Every couple of months, make a point to wipe down the basement walls with a chlorine bleach solution or cleaner. Should you discover any new mold growth, clean it off straightaway and then carry out a thorough check for any water seepage. The key to preventing black mold in basements is constant vigilance.

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