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Basement Clean Up Guide

Protect Yourself During Clean Up

  • Avoid skin contact with sewer water, especially cuts and sores. 
  • Wear rubber gloves and rubber boots to prevent contact.
  • If you are cut while working in contaminated water, contact your physician to receive a tetanus shot.
  • Do not allow children or pets to play in contaminated areas.
  • Do not eat or drink anything exposed to sewer water. These items should be discarded.
  • Keep contaminated items, water, and hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Wash your hands frequently, before and after bathroom use, before eating, and immediately after contact with contaminated water.
  • Disinfect all areas and equipment that came into contact with the contaminated water.  
  • Using a bleach solution of 8 tablespoons chlorine bleach to one gallon of water will remove odors and bacteria.  Although bleach is an effective solution, it may cause discoloration.

Clean Up Tips

  • Wear protective clothing such as rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection during clean up.
  • Electrical shock hazards and gas leaks must be assessed and addressed prior to entering the affected area.
  • Unplug all electrical appliances and devices standing in water.  
  • Turn off the circuit breakers supplying the electricity to these items.
  • Turn off the gas to your furnace and hot water heater.
  • Do not use electrical equipment while standing in water. Wet vacuums should be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter or ground fault equipped outlet.
  • Do not walk through clean areas of your home with contaminated shoes. Keep children and pets out of the soiled area. Move all uncontaminated items out of the soiled area. 
  • Treat all water soaked surfaces and items as contaminated until properly cleaned and sanitized.
  • Remove and discard carpet, upholstered furniture, and porous wood furniture stained by sewage. 
  • Sanitize and clean hardwood furniture. Thoroughly wipe, dry, and apply an oil based wood polish.
  • Discard or properly wash and disinfect toys, clothing, and any other contaminated objects. 
  • Turn off and do not use any appliance or fixture that uses water. The discharge from these items may back up into the basement.
  • Once the water has receded, flush out and disinfect all plumbing fixtures before using. Run a dehumidifier in the basement to pull out moisture. 
  • Run the air conditioning if you do not have a dehumidifier provided it has not been damaged. 
  • To avoid mildew and expanded water damage, do not use heat to dry out closed basements.
  • Damaged drywall must be removed and disposed of within 24 hours.  Once drywall gets wet, it retains moisture long enough to grow mold. Removing the drywall also allows air flow to dry out the studs so they may not have to be replaced. 
  • Appliances that have been saturated should be cleaned and serviced by a qualified service technician prior to use. 
  • Take before and after photographs or video tape. For insurance purposes, keep and itemized list and photograph or video tape all items  that are being discarded. Keep all receipts and an itemized list of all clean up expenses and incurred costs. 
  • Start the clean up process as soon as possible.  Do not hesitate to start.

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