How to Clean Up Your Basement After a Minor Flood

Murphy’s law seems to be actual science when you are a homeowner. No matter what precautions you take, sometimes disaster strikes at the worst possible moment. Luckily some issues turn out to be only minor and you can fix them yourself. Basement flooding is one of the most common problems during the winter months.

Here are a few things you can do on your own when you find yourself dealing with a minor flood.

Think Safety First And Always

Don't step into the water in your flooded basement without considering all the dangers. Electricity and water don't mix. Assess the height of the water and determine if it may be above any outlets. If you can make it to your main breaker, turn off the electricity. If not, call your power supplier and have them shut it off at the meter until it is determined safe to turn it back on. 

Determine The Cause

Once it is safe to enter the basement, you’ll want to determine the cause of the leak. It could be anything from a crack in the foundation to a leaking hot water heater, too problems with the pipes and plumbing of your house. Finding out what is causing the issue is key to stopping it and fixing the issue after clean-up is done. 

Dry And Clean 

Thoroughly drying the basement after a flood is extremely important. Doing so will stop any mold or mildew issues from developing in addition to mitigating the not-so-pleasant smell of a wet basement. Any puddles of standing water can usually be easily removed with a wet/dry ShopVac. If the water is too much for the ShopVac to handle, sump pumps and pool pumps are also handy tools to use. Lastly having a dehumidifier and fans running is a great way to get rid of the moisture in the air and help reduce the likelihood of any long-term mold problems. 

While annoying, minor basement flooding can be taken care of as long as you don't wait too long to fix the issue.