How to Restore a Basement From Water Damage
The most common area of a home to receive water damage is the basement. Circumstances, such as pipe leaks and floods, can lead to extensive problems such as mold spores that can be hazardous to the health of everyone living in the home. By promptly fixing any water damage or mold you will be making the basement a safe environment.
You Will Need:
- HEPA vacuum
- Mop
- Scrub brush
- Sump pump
- Bleach
- Fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Wet/dry vacuum
- Protective gear, including goggles and rubber gloves
- Water
How you remove any standing water depends on the amount of water in the basement. If there is a lot of water, you will want to rent a sump pump from a your local hardware or home improvement store. For a smaller amount of water, you may be able to just use a mop or wet/dry vacuum.
- Open any doors or windows in the basement so that it is well-ventilated. Place fans in these areas so that they receive even more air flow. Turn on dehumidifiers to help dry the area out.
- Any soft materials, including carpet, furniture, papers, mattresses, ceiling tiles, etc., will need to be put in the trash. It is impossible to remove mold from items such as these.
- Use a wet/dry vac to vacuum all the solid surfaces. This includes floors, ceilings and walls. Inspect all areas of the basement for mold.
- If you find mold, you will need to put on protective clothing, including gloves, goggles and a respirator because cleaning mold can be hazardous to your health if it comes in contact with your skin or lungs. Make a mixture that is half water and half bleach and apply it to any surfaces that are infested with mold. Let it sit for about a half-hour.
- Scrub the surfaces with a scrub brush that has been dampened with the bleach and water mixture. Continue to scrub until all signs of mold are gone.
- Use a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, vacuum to clean up the mold. This type of vacuum will also remove traces of mold that are in the air, preventing it from returning.