Flooded? Ugh - how to clean it up!

This is how I felt a few years ago after my basement flooded.....

So - where do you start?

Before you start cleaning anything, take photos/and or videos for the insurance company. 

Check with insurance to see what (if anything) they will cover. Our insurance didn't cover our basement flood because it was caused by a heavy rainstorm which was  "An Act of God. " 

If your insurance company will cover it, make sure you save all of your receipts.

If the local authorities give you the okay to re-enter your home, experts at University of Minnesota Extension office have a great website with detailed information. I'll highlight a few things here:

 

Be Safe!

Turn off the gas and electricity

Gas leaks can be dangerous. 

And electricity and water don't mix - so make sure the electricity is turned off. They also recommend wearing rubber boots.

 

Gear up!

Protect yourself from cuts and contaminants by wearing waterproof gloves, rubber boots (or thick work boots), safety mask or goggles. 

If you have asthma, it's probably NOT a good idea to help with the cleanup. An N-95 mask will help protect your lungs, but it can make breathing harder for those with asthma. So check with your doctor before you use one.

Check for structural damage

  

 Check the foundation, walls, windows and floors for damage. Have a professional electrician check out your system.

 

Start bailing water and mud

This was the hardest part for us. We had to pump out the water and use a wet vac on the carpet. We realized it was way too wet to save and had to tear out the carpet and pad. To make it easier, we cut the carpet into 3 foot strips and rolled it up. It was so waterlogged, that it was hard to carry out of the basement. 

You may need to move the lower portion of drywall and insulation if the water has wicked up the wall.

Scrubbing walls and floors

This page has a lots of tips for cleaning - the right way! 

 

 Make sure it's all the way dry!

Only one other neighbor flooded at the same time our house flooded. They ripped out carpet and put down new carpet within the week. I told them the cement wasn't dry yet - but they didn't believe me. 

 

I used my Moisture Meter to check the basement floor every morning and every night. Then I would move the industrial fan to a new area and let it run all day or night (as long as someone was home.)

The Moisture Meter has a chart on the back to tell you if the cement is in the acceptable range to be dried out. 

It LOOKED dry - but the meter showed that it wasn't. Our cement floor in the basement took 5 weeks to dry out! I'm so glad we waited and made sure it was all the way dried out before we had new carpet installed.

 

 Please review the website listed above (or any other credible website) to make sure you are cleaning up the flood the right way.

And have patience! It takes a long time to dry out after a flood :(