Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County

Cleaning Up a Flooded Basement

As the seasons begin to change and we encounter winter thawing and heavy spring rains, some of us experience flooding in our basements. Health Commissioner Jim Gross of Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County explains, “A flooded basement can be overwhelming so it is vital to know what steps to take to safely resolve the problem and minimize damage to your property. It is really important to prepare a plan of action so you can be ready if you have an emergency.” Depending on the situation, you may need to hire someone to clean up and do repairs. If you hire a contractor, make sure they are qualified. If you decide to do the job yourself, make sure the area is safe before beginning the job.

If the flooding is minor, you may be able to mop the wet areas or soak up the water with old towels. However, if you have standing water, make sure the electricity to that portion of the house is shut off to avoid the danger of electrocution. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Do not handle any connected electrical cords or appliances until all power has been shut off. Call the electric company for assistance. Even if the electric company has turned off electricity to the area, make certain your house’s power supply is disconnected.

If you smell gas, do not touch any electrical fixtures, telephones or switches – any spark may ignite the gas line. Leave immediately, leaving the doors open to ventilate, and call the fire department and the gas company from a safe place. Do not light a match or use any open flame on your way out.

Once you have made sure the area is safe to work in, you must decide the best way to remove the water. There are different equipment options for doing the job: portable sump pump, wet vacuum, or wet shop vacuum. You can rent or purchase one of these items, or you may be able to borrow one from someone you know.

You need to consider a few things when determining which equipment you are going to use. The sump pump will require an outlet for the water to be removed. Realize that if your basement is flooding, then the existing drains in your basement may be inaccessible for draining purposes. You will probably need to obtain a long hose to attach to the sump pump so that you can hang it out the window and as far away from the home as possible.

If you select the wet vacuum, realize that it will only be a matter of minutes before you have to empty the holding receptacle. The wet shop vacuum will hold more water, but it will be heavier and more difficult to empty, especially if you are trying to empty the water outside of the home.

It is a good idea to wear rubber boots and gloves to minimize contact with flood water. Do not smoke, eat, or touch your face while working in a flooded area. Keep children and pets away. Watch your footing because the floor will be slippery. Once you have everything you need you can begin to remove the water.

The best place to begin is most likely the area that is going to sustain the most damage if the water sits. Another option is to begin on the highest section of the room where the water is the lowest and work your way in to the larger pools of water. If the rain has stopped, open the windows to allow moisture in the air to escape. This will help with the drying out process. Once the water has been removed from the floor of the basement, it is time to begin drying the area as quickly as possible.

If your heating system has not been affected by the flooding, turn the heat to a higher setting to help with the drying out process. Using heat will evaporate the water into the air and the air will become humid and dense with moisture. If the furnace or other appliances became wet, have them inspected by a qualified service technician before using them. Turning on wet electrical equipment could produce shock, endangering
life and may burn out equipment. If your furnace is cleared for use, replace the filter before operating.
Consider using fans to circulate the air and speed up the drying process. Place the fans in such a way that the air is blown away and out rather than into the room. Another option to speed up the drying out process is to use a dehumidifier. Keep an eye on the dehumidifier’s holding container and empty it as needed. If possible, cleaning, disinfecting and drying should be done within 24 hours of flooding to minimize mold and mildew.

The Cleanup Process

• Move furniture to the dry side of your basement, if there is one. If you can’t find a dry area, then push everything to one part of the basement, leaving the other free for cleaning. Allow the wet items to air dry if possible.
• Dispose of all food that became wet - do not eat it. Food in glass containers can be kept only if the floodwater did not reach the lid, but the jar must be washed in hot soapy water and rinsed. Discard food not refrigerated for more than six hours and frozen foods thawed for more than four hours. If any dishes came into contact, clean them with a general disinfectant solution such as two tablespoons of liquid bleach to one gallon of warm water, and wash in a dishwasher if possible. Discard any medicines and personal products that came into contact with the floodwater.
• Remove all toxic chemicals such as pesticides from the flooded area to prevent further contamination and the mixing of chemicals.
• Wash down concrete or brick walls, floors, faucets etc. that have been under water, first with clean water, then soapy warm water. Sweep water and sediment down the drain or to the pump.
• Disinfect all areas and equipment that came into floodwater contact with a solution of 8 tablespoons of liquid chlorine bleach to a gallon of water. Let everything air dry.
• To clean washable fabric items, brush off dirt and residue before washing, according to the instruction label, in hot or warm water, with bleach if possible.
• Foam rubber mattresses and pillows can be washed, disinfected and air-dried in the sun. If in doubt that an item can be cleaned properly, it is best to discard it.
• Flush and disinfect floor and sump pump drains using undiluted chlorine bleach.
• If your basement is finished with drywall and it became wet, it is best to discard and replace that portion to avoid the growth of mold. Some wood paneling may be salvageable if you can clean and dry it properly without it becoming warped.
• If you have carpet and it became wet, contact a professional carpet cleaner for advice on if it can be cleaned and dried properly. In severe flooding situations, it may be advisable to discard all carpeting.
• REMEMBER: Chlorine Bleach is an excellent disinfectant. However, NEVER mix chlorine bleach with ammonia as this combination will produce a poisonous gas!

After cleaning your basement, make sure that your clothing and parts of your body that were in contact with water or sewage are thoroughly washed. Do not permit children to enter the basement until after the floors and walls have been washed, disinfected, and allowed to thoroughly dry. Any mops, brushes, cleaning cloths and clothes used should either be discarded or thoroughly disinfected using the chlorine bleach solution.

For more information about flooding