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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While no one can predict when a flood might happen to your basement, or anyone’s basement for that mater, it’s best to be prepared with a flood protection plan in case you are suddenly stuck with a flooded basement.

First, it’s a good idea to keep all heating and cooling units on the first floor or have them mounted on the wall so that if you do end up with a flooded basement, they will not become damaged and cost you further money in damages. A flooded basement is costly enough to repair without the additional cost of having to replace a heating and cooling system. It might be a cost to have them raised to the ceiling level now, but it is one that you should be willing to pay now rather than pay much more later down the road.

Placing your furniture up on blocks might not look fashionable, however, if you basement is prone to flooding, you might consider it or take the furniture out and use the basement as an unfinished area where you might just store things up on pallets of wood or cinder blocks to protect them from water damage. Put your valuable items being stored in waterproof plastic tubs with lids will also help.

Most basements are finished and you can protect your self by having flood insurance on all your belongings in the basement. When you purchase a new couch and chair or television and recliner, make sure you notify your insurance agent and take photos of all your belongings in the basement, this includes washer and dryer if they are located in the basement. That way you have proof of their existence and, you will be able to show the insurance agent exactly what was in the basement if you have to clear it out before he or she can get to you.

Sometimes there is a large area that floods many basements and the insurance agents are very busy. You don’t want mold and mildew building up in your home so you need to take everything out that came in contact with the water and make sure it is hauled off by the garbage truck. Mold and mildew can be deadly if left to grow in your basement. Once the furniture is taken away and the water has receded, make sure you take up any carpet or hardwood flooring or vinyl flooring that has been laid down because mold and mildew love to grow under these types of materials. Next you need to scrub everything with bleach and water combination so that the mold and mildew will die. It’s a living, breathing fungus and you need to make sure it doesn’t reproduce and grow again.

A sump pump is another option for a basement that might be prone to flooding. This is a machine that is placed in the basement, deep in a hole in the ground, which helps pump water away from the basement from underground. It is fairly effective, yet also costly.

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