Basement cleaning may be difficult. They’re often dark and wet, with plenty of nooks and crannies to conceal the messiest detritus. Then there’s the fact that they flood when it rains, which means you have to deal with muck, mold, and mildew while trying not to slide on the wet floor.
If you’ve ever had a flooded basement, you understand how inconvenient it can be. Not only do you have to deal with all of the water and clean up the mess, but you also have to deal with the lingering odor.
Fortunately, there are some really easy ways to clean up your flooded basement so that it’s back to normal in no time!
In this article, we will help you understand the causes of flooded basements and how to fix a flooded basement.
What are the Causes of Flooded Basements?
Water flooded basement? No problem, we’ve got you covered.
Floods in your basement can be caused by a variety of factors. But first, you must determine the source of your watery problem in order to choose which treatment is ideal for your specific scenario. The following are the most prevalent causes:
Leaky pipes
If your plumbing system is leaking, it’s likely that water is seeping into your basement walls or floorboards. This can cause mold growth or even cause structural damage to the building itself if left untreated for too long! Check for wet spots on walls or floors and any evidence of mold growth (such as blackened areas). If you find any evidence of leaks in this area, then contact a licensed sump pump flooded basement plumber immediately!
Heavy rain/snowfall
If it has been heavily raining or snowing, your house may be at risk of flooding if you do not take measures. Make sure that downspouts and gutters are clear of debris, and make sure downspouts lead away from your foundation. Also, make sure that basement windows are tightly sealed and caulked.
Poor drainage
When water cannot escape from your basement, it collects in one place or another, creating a difficult-to-clean mess. To prevent this water damage, make sure that all drains are clean and free of debris. You should also check that your sump pump is working properly by turning it on every few months and checking for leaks or pooling water nearby. If all else fails, you must call a professional flooded basement cleanup expert for help!
Sump pump failure
Your sump pump should be able to keep your basement dry during heavy rainstorms, but sometimes it fails to do so. If this happens repeatedly over time, you might need to replace or repair your existing sump pump system.
How to clean a flooded basement?
Cleaning a flooded basement is more than just picking up the mess and mopping. It is critical to treat the underlying cause of your flooding so that it never happens again.
If your basement floods, you’ll need to act quickly to clean up the debris.
There are several ways to clean a flooded basement, however here are a few pointers for how to fix flooded basement:
Don’t panic
Okay, panic a little bit, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Your initial reaction may be to grab some towels and begin cleaning up all that water, but if the flood has occurred lately, you should wait at least 24 hours before beginning any cleanup. That way, any food or debris that’s floating around in there has had time to settle down at the bottom of the room or floor where it belongs (and doesn’t threaten your health).
Wear protective gear
Floods can contain all kinds of nasty bacteria and contaminants, so don’t take any chances by going without proper protection. Your best bet is a pair of rubber boots with waterproof socks underneath them, plus gloves and goggles (if possible). Make sure that all of these items are made specifically for working in wet conditions; regular shoes or gloves won’t do it!
Turn off the power
Every year, thousands of people get electrocuted by water and power lines. Don’t be one of them! Shut off your power at the main breaker box before you do anything else.
Remove the standing water
After turning off the power, remove all standing water using a shop vac or other equipment designed for this purpose. Remove any wet items from the basement and place them on a dry surface away from your home until they can be cleaned properly.
Dry Out the Basement
You’ll need a sump pump, a wet/dry vacuum, and some fans. Turn off the power to your sump pump and pull it out of the water to dry it out. If there’s any standing water left in the sump pit, drain it out with a wet/dry vacuum before you put the pump back in. Once it’s ready, plug it in again and turn on the power. You can also use fans to help dry out your basement by directing them to wet areas or using them along with dehumidifiers.
Remove wet furniture, belongings, and materials
It’s important to clean up all of these things as soon as possible so they don’t become breeding grounds for mold spores once they’re dry again. If possible, remove them from the house altogether (or at least put them in an outdoor storage unit). If not possible (or practical), consider storing them in plastic bins with a desiccant packet inside each one so they can dry out faster than if left alone on their own at room temperature.
Clean walls, floor, and other surfaces
Start by cleaning the walls and floor of the room to remove any mud or debris that may have been deposited during the flood. Use paper towels and mops to clean up any standing water from the floor, then disinfect with bleach after everything is dry.
Clean and disinfect
Once you’ve cleaned up all visible areas, it’s time to disinfect them. This will prevent mold from growing on your newly-cleaned walls and floors and keep them smelling fresh as well! Use an anti-microbial spray or bleach solution to disinfect all surfaces in the room before they dry out again (which can lead to mold growth). You may also want to think about hiring professional cleaners who have experience cleaning out flooded basements; they’ll know exactly where everything needs attention so that you don’t miss any spots during this process!
How long does it take to clean a flooded basement?
It depends. To clean a flooded basement, you must first remove the water, then dry out all of your items and restore any damage that has occurred.
If you have a lot of items in your basement, drying everything out might take a long time. It won’t take as long if there are only one or two things. The amount of time it takes is also determined by the volume of water in your home. If there is only a tiny amount of water, cleaning up may not be too difficult!
What is the Cost of Cleaning Flooded Basements by Professionals?
Basement flooding is a nightmare. They may be costly to fix, and if not handled carefully, they can do significant damage to your house.
Wondering what to do when your basement is flooded?Â
We understand that you don’t want to spend additional money on your flooded basement, but if you have one, it’s critical that you address it as soon as possible.
If you want to save money on your next flood cleaning, you should think about hiring local experts in Columbia and Mid-Missouri.
But how much will they cost? And what can they do for you?
The answer is simple: it depends. The cost of cleaning flooded basements depends on many factors, including the size of your basement, how long the basement has been flooded, and whether the water is clean or dirty.
A professional flood cleanup company in Columbia or Mid-Missouri should be able to tell you upfront what their services will cost, but there are some things that aren’t included in their price tag. For instance, if your flood was caused by sewage backup (which can happen when a pipe breaks), then you’ll need to hire someone else to deal with that problem before calling in a professional flood cleanup team. It’s also worth mentioning that certain companies may charge a premium if they have to operate outside of usual business hours (for example, in the middle of the night).
In general, homeowners in Columbia and Mid-Missouri should budget between $1,000 and $10,000 for flood cleanup services.
How to Find a Reputable Professional for Cleaning Up Flooded Basement?
Floods are common in spring and winter, especially in areas prone to heavy rains. The most devastating part of a flood is not just the damage it causes to your home but also the cleanup. If you’re looking for a reputable professional to clean up your flooded basement, here are some things you should consider before making your final decision:
- Experience: Is this company licensed and insured? Do they have experience with cleaning up flooded basements?
- Cost: How much will it cost to clean up my flooded basement? Will there be any hidden fees or charges at the end of the process?
- Guarantee: Does this company offer a guarantee on their services? If so, what does it cover?
- Reviews: Obviously, look at reviews on Google, Yelp, and other review sites. Look for reviewers who aren’t just stating their opinions but actually giving details about their experience with the company—what they liked or didn’t like about them and why they chose them in the first place (or why they would never use them again).
- Licensed: You’ll want to make sure that your contractor is licensed in their state, if applicable. This will give you peace of mind that they are qualified and able to do the job correctly.
Prevent Future Flooding and Keep Your Basement Dry With Top-Notch Sump Pump Service Professionals!
Flooding is the WORST. And it’s not just an annoyance—it can be a major health hazard. If your basement has flooded, you know how important it is to get the water out and prevent future flooding by doing regular maintenance of your sump pump system.
That’s where Master Tech Plumbing comes in! Our team of experts for Sump Pump Services in Columbia and Mid-Missouri will come to your home and check everything from the size of your sump pump to the quality of its installation. We’ll also make sure that your sump pump has been tested recently—and if it hasn’t been, we’ll do it for you! Then we’ll give you a report showing everything that’s working well with your sump pump so that you can rest knowing that your basement is safe.
We want nothing more than for you to be able to live without worrying about flooding because we know how frustrating it can be when water starts creeping into your house.Â
As a homeowner, it’s important for you to know how much water your sump pump can hold and how long it takes for it to empty out.Â
If you’re ready to put yourself at ease about this common problem, call us today at 573-777-3660!
