5 Steps To Minimizing Damage After Finding Moisture In The Basement

Finding water damage in your basement can cause a feeling of disbelief and disgust. If your basement is used for storage or has been finished, your first concern must be preventing further damage. Here, you will find a few ideas to help you protect your belongings while water damage restoration work is complete.

Step 1: Call a Professional Water Damage Restoration Service

Water damage is more difficult to properly repair than many homeowners first think. At first, it may look as if the area just needs to be cleaned and dried out, but, where did that water come from in the first place?

When you hire professionals, not only will you be sure the moisture and damaged materials are fully removed, but they can also help to identify, and possibly repair, the problem. If you were to do the clean-up work and return to life as normal, chances are, you'll be facing the same chore sometime in the future.

Step 2: Get the Air Moving

To expedite the drying process, open all of the windows and doors in the area. Opening the doors and windows on the upper levels of the home can help to increase airflow through the damaged area.

Use some fans placed around the area to move the air over the affected surfaces.

Step 3: Clear the Area

If possible, remove everything from the area. This will help in two ways: allow for better air circulation and prevent moisture from seeping from the furnishings and things into the air. Anything that is wet will slow the drying process, and the longer you allow those items to remain wet, the less likely you'll be to salvage them.

Step 4: Squeegee and Dry Mop

If there are areas with visible water resting, use a squeegee to push it into a floor drain. If you don't have a squeegee, you can use a push broom.

Once you've removed most of the water, use a dry mop to mop the surface. When the head gets wet, wring it out well and repeat.

Step 5: Disinfect and Treat

You don't know what was in the water, so it's best to disinfect and treat the area. You can do this with a bleach and water mixture, or white vinegar if you prefer natural cleaning agents. Both will kill bacteria and mold spores.

This isn't a project that can wait until tomorrow. Call a local water damage repair company, like Heaven Scent Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, to learn more about how they can help.