You must act quickly to dry your basement if it is damp. This will not only limit the damage but also prevent mold growth. It can be difficult to know where to begin.
Step-by-Step Guide on Drying a Basement Wet
You should dry your basement immediately after it gets wet. This will reduce damage and save most items. It will also help to keep the restoration costs down. These steps will show you how to quickly dry a basement that is wet.
It takes approximately 3 days
Estimated cost: $ 1,500
Supplies are required
Towels
Bucket
Plastic tarp
Bags for heavy-duty garbage
Soap
Bleach
Spray bottle
Rags
Baking soda
You will need tools
Pump
Vacuum for wet and dry
Fans with high volumes
Structural drying dehumidifier
Moisture meter
Vacuum cleaner
7 Steps to Drying a Basement Fast
1. Stop Watering
Stopping water from entering a basement is the first step to drying it out. Shut off the main water valve in case of a leak or burst pipe. The main water valve is usually located along the wall closest the street. However, the exact location may vary.
If the water is coming from outside, unfortunately there is not much you can do. Don’t wait for the rains to stop. You can move on to the next step immediately.
2. Take out the water
The next step is to drain the water as quickly as possible. The best tool to deal with a damp basement is a pump. Make sure to drain the water from the foundation and make sure it doesn’t return to your home.
A wet-dry vacuum can be used if there is less than one inch of water. You can also use towels to soak up the water, or a bucket to drain it.
3. Take Furniture and Personal Items off the Floor
After the water has dried out, take furniture and other personal belongings from the basement. If you intend to dry and clean them, place them on a tarp in an area of your home that is dry like the garage.
Place anything you don’t want to dispose of in heavy-duty bags and bring them outside. You can do the same for walls or carpets that are damaged. It will speed up the drying of your basement if you get rid of any damaged items as soon as possible.
4. Dry your Basement
High-volume fans and dehumidifiers are the key to quickly drying basements. The dehumidifiers draw water out of the air while the fans evaporate the water. If used correctly, they can dry a basement in 12 hours.
Two fans should be used. They should be pointed at the walls from at least two angles. Check your basement every few hours to make sure it is drying properly. This drying process can also be used for cabinets.
To speed up drying, you can lift wet carpeting off the floor. It is difficult to save wet particleboard furniture. Although you can dry it, it is best to dry the walls and carpets first.
Although household fans can be used, they work slower. This allows water to have more time to cause damage and makes it more likely that you will need repairs. Mold and odors are also more likely to occur.
5. Use a Moisture Meter to Test It
A moisture meter is an important step that’s often forgotten. Even though your carpeting or walls may feel dry, it could still be damp inside.
A moisture meter can detect trace amounts of water so that you know if your basement is dry. There are many options, but a moisture meter that has pins or barbs is the best. These meters measure the water content below the surface.
6. Clean, Deodorize and Disinfect
You must clean and disinfect a basement that has been wet. You will need to wash everything first with warm water and soap. Before you clean, wash everything with soap and warm water.
After cleaning your basement, disinfect it to kill bacteria and mold. Combine one cup bleach with a gallon water. A rag can be used to clean items, but a spray bottle is more effective and quicker for disinfecting large areas.
Open windows and doors to let the fresh air in. Sprinkle baking soda in your basement to mask strong, musty smells. Let it sit for several hours. Next, use your vacuum to remove the baking soda.
7. Restore and Repair Your Basement
You must also restore your basement. This usually involves repairing or replacing damaged walls. You may not need to paint if there is minor damage.