How To Fix A Flooded Basement DIY

I f your basement is flooded, that is incredibly unfortunate. Not only does it take a lot of time and energy to clean up, but it can do damage to your home if not properly treated. If your basement is mildly flooded, there are DIY solutions to fixing it! So don’t worry just yet, and see if you can fix the problem yourself. The first step to solving a flooded basement is to discover where the water is coming from. In rainstorms, many people think that water just seeps down. While that is true in many cases, in some cases a pipe in the basement may have burst. If your home is built in the 80s and 90s, you may have a drain in the basement to collect water. That drain, while helpful, can actually overflow and back up due to increased rain. This can cause all the water to shoot up and flood your basement! After you have found out where the leak is coming from, make sure to seal it properly. Caulk, rubber cement, and other hardware store solutions can assist. If a drain was overflowed, see if you can find a way to release it. Many of these drains can ‘flush’ just like a toilet! Once the leak is sealed, you have to remove the water. A shopvac can do the trick, especially in basements with a larger amount of water! If your basement has windows, make sure to open them to get some air in there. You can also siphon the water out using a hose. The most important step would be to begin repairs. You can clean up the smell with baking soda and airing out the basement. Depending on how bad the damage is, you may need to replace carpet, floor boards, or maybe more. However, it's not the end of the world and a good handyman can handle it! One important thing to remember is that the water that flooded your basement could be covered in bacteria, so make sure not to touch your face and to use gloves, and shower afterwards. Also, keep these clothes separate and give them a good wash! Unfortunately, if your basement is heavily flooded, you may need to seek out professional help to remove the water. Once the water is removed however, you can start some of the DIY repairs once you solve the leak problem!