Handling Mold After a Basement Flood

A flooded basement is a homeowner’s worst fear. Dealing with a flood in your basement means repairing water damage, replacing personal belongings, and removing any mold that may pop up. Finding mold in your house can be frightening and possibly dangerous. So, it is important to know how to deal with a mold outbreak properly. Here are some tips for dealing with mold after your basement floods.

Turn Off the Electricity

If your basement has flooded, and there is still standing water, you must turn off the power in your home. Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, so it is possible to be shocked or electrocuted while trying to fix your basement. Turning off the power ensures there is no electricity running through any devices around the water.

Pump the Water from the Basement

Use your sump pump or a battery-powered water pump to remove the standing water from your basement. It is essential that you remove as much water as possible to allow you to move through the basement safely. A wet/dry vac is also helpful for removing water.

Dry Out the Basement

Mold thrives in damp environments, so it is critical that you dry out your basement as quickly as possible. To keep mold in check, you should remedy the problem within 24 to 48 hours. Open all the doors and windows, and use fans and dehumidifiers to get air flowing through the space. Be sure to place your fans close to the floor to remove moisture from the carpet. 

Remove All Wet Items

It may be disheartening, but removing all wet and damaged items from your basement and into a dry location is important. You need to have sufficient space to clean the basement thoroughly. Be sure to clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water to disinfect them. Porous items that can not be cleaned and dried, such as carpet, leather, or upholstery, need to be removed as soon as possible to prevent mold growth. Even the smallest amount of mold can cause allergic reactions.

Clean the Floors and Walls

The most important step is to ensure the basement walls and floors are clean of any dirt or moisture. Use warm soapy water and clean them, be sure to scrub the surfaces well to remove all dirt and grime. If your carpet got soaked, you would want to remove it and let it dry separately by moving it somewhere else.  You will also need to pull up the padding, as it can retain huge amounts of water.

Contact All Aspects Waterproofing Today to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality!

When it comes to finding the best solution for your crawl space encapsulation and waterproofing needs, contact All Aspect Waterproofing, a Better Business Bureau A+ rated company with over 30 years of experience in the Washington, DC./Maryland/Virginia area. We have a great deal of experience in waterproofing, mold testing, and mold remediation, and we want to make you feel at home again. Contact us online or by calling 1-866-999-3110 or 301-766-4420.  To see what we’re up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Houzz.