A flooded basement is a dangerous situation for anyone living in the home. While you might think that the water will subside quickly, it can take days or weeks before all of the water has been pumped out and you can return to your house. During this time, mold spores are easily spread.
This article explains why you should clean up your basement immediately after a flood even if you don’t have health issues related to mold exposure.
The first thing to do when dealing with a flooded basement is to open the door and turn off the electricity to the area so that the moisture cannot be reabsorbed by the walls. This prevents the moisture from becoming trapped again.
It’s important to note that there are two types of flooding: surface flooding, which occurs on the outside walls of the house, and structural flooding, which takes place inside the structure itself. Structural flooding is more serious than surface flooding. The reason is that the water can seep into the wall cavities and cause damage to the interior of the house.
If you suspect that you have structural flooding, then contact an emergency plumber as soon as possible. They may be able to determine what needs to be done to stop the leak. Otherwise, it can be necessary to call a professional contractor who specializes in basement waterproofing. He or she can help repair any damaged areas and seal them against future leaks.
When dealing with structural flooding, it’s also a good idea to call a professional mold remediation company. They can assess the extent of the problem and provide solutions. If your basement was flooded due to a broken pipe, they can remove the water and dry the basement floor so that it’s safe to enter. However, if the flood was caused by heavy rain, then it’s best not to go into the basement until the water subsides.
The Importance of Clearing Up Water Damage
One of the biggest reasons why people don’t clean up their flooded basements immediately is because they’re afraid that they’ll find mold growing inside the walls. Although mold is common in wet environments, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the air inside the home becomes contaminated.
Even though mold grows on organic materials like wood, paper, food, and fabric, it won’t grow on concrete. Additionally, drywall and other building materials are resistant to mold growth. Therefore, if the water wasn’t allowed to get into the walls, there would be no risk of mold growth inside of them.
When cleaning up a flooded basement, the first step is to inspect the affected walls carefully. If you see mold growing on them, then you need to treat it immediately. Otherwise, you could expose yourself to harmful toxins. In addition to cleaning the walls, you’ll want to check the ceiling and floor for signs of mold.
Cleaning the water damage at the right time is a must for people. The step taken by the people at the right time will help in reaching the goals. The try of the people should be to get the results that will prove to be a favorable option. A person who will plan of entering a flooded basement will face these issues.
While most homes contain some amount of mold, it isn’t normally visible. Mold needs a moist environment where it can reproduce. So while you might smell mildew while entering the basement, it won’t actually appear until after it has grown over a few years. It can be removed using a bleach solution or through the use of a vaporizer.
How to Avoid Mold Growth When Cleaning Your Basement
While it’s not impossible to get mold inside of your home during a flood, it can be difficult to avoid without proper precautions. The first step is to keep the area free of excess moisture. Once the water has stopped flowing, it’s important to make sure that the walls aren’t damp so that mold can’t grow.
If you live in an apartment and have access to a dehumidifier, then you can use it to help prevent mold growth. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a sump pump. These pumps work by drawing water away from the foundation and pumping it out the drain.
You should also wear protective clothing while removing water. Wearing rubber gloves and boots is ideal since mold spores are very small and can become airborne easily.
Once the area is dried out, it’s time to start removing the excess debris. Use a broom to sweep away large items such as furniture. Then, use a shovel to dig out dirt and mud. After this area is cleaned, you’ll need to apply a biocide to kill any remaining mold spores.
There are many different kinds of biocides available. Each one works differently and requires varying amounts of time to fully eliminate the mold. Some are sprayed directly onto the affected area while others are mixed with water and used to wash down the walls. Once the surfaces are cleaned, they need to be left untouched until the mold starts to disappear.
In addition to applying biocides to kill the mold, you’ll want to cover the area with plastic sheeting. This will prevent any additional moisture from getting back into the wall. Afterward, you’ll need to remove the plastic and let the area dry for at least 24 hours.
If you have children or pets, then you’ll want to make sure that they stay away from the area until everything is completely dry. There’s always a chance that they could ingest mold spores even if it hasn’t yet appeared on the surface.
After the area dries, then it’s time to restore the house. Make sure that you patch any holes in the walls and replace any electrical outlets that were knocked loose during the flood. Also, if your plumbing pipes were damaged during the flood, then you’ll need to replace them so that you don’t experience another flood event.
Cleanup a Flooded Basement
Although it’s important to address structural problems before they become major issues, you shouldn’t neglect the surface flood. Even if you have no health problems associated with mold exposure, you still need to deal with the problem. Not only does it pose a danger to your health, but it also poses a threat to your possessions.
Because mold is so prevalent in our everyday lives, it can be easy to forget about it. However, it’s easy to spot once you know what to look for. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to act quickly after a flood. Don’t wait too long and allow mold to grow in your home.
If you live near a lake, river, or stream, then it’s likely that you’ve experienced a flood in the past. Most homeowners are lucky enough to have flood insurance, but if you don’t have coverage, you’ll need to learn how to clean up a flooded basement.
