Disinfecting a basement floor after a sewer backup or storm flooding requires a strong cleaning solution. Mix a quarter cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Scrub the basement floor for at least five minutes.
How to disinfect the basement after a flood?
Things You'll Need
- Waders, rain boots or nonslip footwear
- Face mask or respirator
- Sump pump
- Shovel
- Hose with a high-pressure nozzle
- Household detergent
- Chlorine bleach
- Push broom or scrub brush
- Dehumidifier and fans
What to do when your basement floods?
“Another important safety tip to remember is to not wander into flood water. The basement or area where your furnace is stored in may become flooded. If this is the case, we recommend shutting the power off to these areas if possible or calling a professional.
How to stop water from seeping into my basement?
How to stop water from coming up through the basement floor.
- Unclog the pipes. Make sure your gutters are clear, and if you have weeping tile, make sure that they aren’t clogged.
- Improve the grade. If it looks like the water isn’t running away from the house, you need to make sure you have a decent grade that is running the water ...
- Check the sump pump. ...
- Install a drainage system. ...
How to dry out and prevent a wet basement?
- Make sure that any leak from either outside or inside is fixed. ...
- Remove any furniture and other items that are on the carpet. In order to get all areas of the carpet dry, anything blocking airflow needs to be moved. ...
- Take steps to make sure that you or anyone else won’t be walking on the wet carpet too much. ...
How do I disinfect my basement after a flood?
Disinfecting a basement floor after a sewer backup or storm flooding requires a strong cleaning solution. Mix a quarter cup of chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Scrub the basement floor for at least five minutes. Let the solution set for another 10 minutes.
What to spray in basement after flooding?
Most household cleaners will be effective for flood cleanup. After cleaning walls and nonporous surfaces with a household cleaner or detergent, follow up with a disinfectant to prevent future mold or mildew growth. A diluted bleach solution (½ cup liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of water) can work for this as well.
How do you disinfect after a flood?
Quick factsShut off gas and electricity.Wear protective gear.Remove standing water and all soaked materials. Shovel out mud. Remove wall interior surfaces and insulation.Scrub walls and floors and then disinfect with bleach solution.Dry thoroughly before rebuilding.
How do I dry my basement after a flood?
Here's how to dry your concrete basement floor after flooding.Remove the water. Just like carpeting, remove the standing water by mopping it up, draining it or using a sump pump if severe.Air it out or use dehumidifier. Next open windows to get air circulating in your basement. ... Hire professional help.
How do I disinfect my concrete basement floor?
An easier solution for the floor in a smelly basement is to sprinkle it with chlorinated lime (bleaching powder; sold in the supermarket's laundry section). Let it sit there, soaking up the bad odor and microorganisms that cause it, for a day, then sweep or vacuum it up.
How do I prevent mold in my basement after flooding?
7 Steps to Prevent Mold After a Basement FloodTurn off the electricity. ... Pump the water out of your basement. ... Remove all your wet items. ... Clean the walls and floor. ... Get the air moving and remove excess moisture. ... Look for mold and return your items to the basement. ... Keep a dehumidifier and air cleaner in the basement.
What kills mold after a flood?
Use no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water when you're cleaning up mold. If you are using stronger, professional strength bleach use less than 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water. ALWAYS protect your mouth, nose, skin, and eyes against both mold and bleach with an N-95 mask, gloves, and goggles.
How long should I run a dehumidifier after a flood?
How long should I run a dehumidifier after a flood? If possible, run a dehumidifier until porous surfaces in the space have dried out completely. It can take anywhere from two days to several weeks to dry out a flood-damaged building.
What can I spray after water damage?
To get rid of mold, scrub with detergent and water and let the surface dry completely. Or use a solution of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water (a stronger bleach solution will not give better results). Spray or brush on the solution, let it sit 10 minutes, then rinse it off and let dry.
How long does it take for mold to set in after a flood?
24-48 hoursmildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.
How do I keep the air in my basement clean?
If you've ever noticed that unpleasant basement smell or felt like that area of your home can never stay clean, you're not alone....How to Improve Basement Air QualityClean the Air. ... Dry it Out. ... Ventilate. ... Keep Windows Closed. ... Seal Up Cracks and Gaps. ... Remove High VOC Contributors. ... Use Low-VOC Paint. ... Test for Radon.
How can I dry my basement without a dehumidifier?
How to Keep Basement Dry Without a DehumidifierSet Houseplants Near Windows. ... Hang Baking Soda In Plastic Bags.Use Fans in the Room. ... Purchase Carpeting Mats. ... Place Damp Rid in Your Basement. ... Install a Vent Fan. ... Add Extra Drainage and Waterproofing.
Question
My basement flooded due to rain, with sewers overflowing from outside and creek overflow as well. What do I use to wash everything down with so it will be disinfected?
Answer
Below is information on disinfecting your basement with Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach, but first I want to remind you how to work safely with bleach to solve such a severe problem. Because you have such a large area to clean, it is important you wear protective clothing and eyewear.
Why does a basement flood?
Basements flooded with surface water, seepage through walls, or backflow from sewer lines often suffer little or no structural damage from the water, because the water inside braces the walls against the pressure of outside water and waterlogged soil.
When to shovel mud from basement?
Shovel mud from the basement as soon as all water has drained or has been pumped out to allow floors and walls to dry.
How to get rid of stains on walls?
If stains remain on the walls, scrub them with a stiff bristle brush and household detergent. Begin at the top and work down. Rinse often with clear water.
Do you drain water in a basement?
Do not drain water inside the basement until most of the water on the outside of the walls has gone down. This will prevent the walls from being pushed in or the floors from heaving. If you have a large amount of water in your basement or if there is no basement drain, you may need to buy or rent a sump pump to get rid of the water.
What is the best way to dry out a basement after a flood?
An air mover also works to help dry out your basement after a flood.
What to do if your basement is flooded?
If your basement is extremely flooded and you don’t feel up to the task of cleaning it up yourself, look up a local flood remediation company and contract them to get the job done for you professionally.
What to wear to clean up a house?
Put on personal protective equipment. Wear pants, long sleeves, boots, rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and a respirator. This PPE protects you against germs, mold, and chemicals during clean-up.
What to do if documents get soaked?
If you have any important documents that got soaked, try putting them in your freezer right away to stop mold and mildew growth until you can deal with them and dry them out properly.
What happens if you pump out water in your basement?
If you pump out the water in your basement too fast before the water level outside your home lowers, the weight of the water outside pressing against your basement’s walls can damage them.
Can you use an air conditioner if it is flooded?
Don’t use your air conditioning if your home’s HVAC system was flooded with water. There is a risk of spreading mold spores throughout your home if the air ducts are contaminated.
Can you turn on appliances that have been damaged by flooding?
Never turn on any electrical appliances that may have been damaged by the flooding because you might get shocked or cause an electrical fire.
What to do when a basement floods?
1. Address Health and Safety issues. Keep children and animals out of the basement and away from standing water and any aerosol effects from stagnant water. ...
What to wear when flooded basement?
Wear protective clothing like boots, coveralls, gloves, goggles or even a respirator when entering your flooded basement. 2.
Does all perils insurance cover flood damage?
If you have all-perils insurance that includes flood coverage, ensure you report the flood damage to your provider as early as possible. Your insurance may look after all flooded basement costs and may pay for a contractor to provide most of these difficult and crucial steps.
How to clean up after a flood?
Here is a list of common flood cleanup techniques for sanitizing and cleaning flooded items: First things first: call your insurance agent. If your insurance covers the damage, your agent will tell you when an adjuster will contact you.
What happens when your house floods?
When your house floods, the water can wreak havoc on the structure of the house, your belongings, and the health of the inside environment. Flood waters contain many contaminants and lots of mud.
How to disinfect metal utensils?
Disinfect silverware, metal utensils, and pots and pans by boiling in water for 10 minutes . Chlorine bleach should not be used in this case because it reacts with many metals and causes them to darken. Cupboards and counters need to be cleaned and rinsed with a chlorine bleach solution before storing dishes.
What to do if wallboard is wet?
Wallboard acts like a sponge when wet. Remove wallboard, plaster and paneling to at least the flood level. If soaked by contaminated floodwater, it can be a permanent health hazard and should be removed. If most of the wallboard was soaked by clean rainwater, consider cutting a 4- to 12-inch-high section from the bottom and top of walls. This creates a “chimney effect” of air movement for faster drying. A reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade works well, but use only the tip of the blade and watch out for pipes, duct work and wiring.
How to get rid of mud on hard surfaces?
Shovel out as much mud as possible, then use a garden sprayer or hose to wash away mud from hard surfaces.
What to do if your insurance covers mud damage?
If your insurance covers the damage, your agent will tell you when an adjuster will contact you. List damage and take photos or videotape as you clean. You’ll need complete records for insurance claims, applications for disaster assistance and income tax deductions. Contaminated mud –.
Where is the flash flood alley?
In a scene from the movie “Flash Flood Alley” workers dig through a foot of mud deposited by a raging river in Central Texas.
What to use to clean up after a flood?
Paired with a durable pry bar, contractor bags are essential for cleaning up after a flood. Carpets, drywall, hardwood, insulation, dirt, mud, and even some furniture need to be removed from the home; otherwise, the moisture can lead to severe mold growth. Additionally, this wet environment makes a great place for insects and some rodents to nest, so the sooner the debris is removed from the home, the better it is for cleanup and repair. Make sure to invest in thick, durable contractor bags that won’t pierce easily.
How to clean up a flooded house?
You can’t start the process of rebuilding until the home is no longer flooded, which is why having a few buckets readily available is never a bad idea. Use buckets, mops, and towels to clean up as much water as possible. While this method of water removal isn’t as efficient as using a pump or even a wet/dry vac, it is something that just about everyone can help with instead of simply watching one person work. After removing the water, you also can use the buckets to help gather and remove dirt, silt, drywall, carpet, and other debris that needs to be cleaned up.
How to clean flood water?
Take some of the strain out of flood cleanup by investing in a wet/dry shop vac that can quickly suction the water off the ground and into an enclosed collection chamber for disposal. While these vacuums can work in place of buckets for broad water cleanup, they are actually better suited for salvaging furniture, clothing, rugs, carpets, and other fabrics that were soaked in the flood. Simply use the wet/dry shop vac to pull excess water out of these materials before setting them aside or hanging them up to dry. Our researched guide to wet/dry vacuums for your home or workspace lists a number of terrific shop vac options.
How to get water out of carpet after flood?
After removing most of the water from the home, you will need to use a dehumidifier to pull the water out of the air and any carpets that managed to survive the flood. These devices are commonly light-duty models that are great for reducing humidity in the home or office. Yet what you really need to help deal with a flood is a commercial dehumidifier that can be connected to a hose and drain the water as it’s collected. The dehumidifier will usually need to remain in the affected area for up to 2 weeks, depending on the extent of the flooding and the type of dehumidifier.
How to stay safe from water spilling into boots?
Call an electrician to shut down the electricity to the home and grab a pair of insulated waterproof boots to ensure that you stay safe. A mask, gloves, and safety glasses also help you to stay safe, just make sure that the water doesn’t spill over into your boots. If it does, remove them and do your best to clean your legs and feet to remove any chemical or biological contamination.
What to consider before walking into a flooded area?
Before walking into a flooded area, one of the most important things to consider is the possible danger of the situation, including chemical contamination, biological contamination, and even electricity that might be flowing through the water from a submerged outlet or the electrical panel.
Can a flooded house cause mold?
Help ensure that the flooded area won’t become infested with mold, mildew , and other biological hazards by cleaning the entire area with a powerful household cleaner like bleach. After cleaning, apply a mold-inhibiting treatment to further reduce the risk of mold growth.