You might get a small flood in your basement for several reasons –  broken pipes, old hot water tank, seepage, or rainwater.   Of course, one option is to get in the professionals to take care of the situation and allow you to get on with other things;  however, if you have the time, or budget constraints you can follow the procedures below to take care of the small flood yourself.

Move furnishing and items on the wet area onto a dry area in the basement; if the bottom of the items are damp or wet, put up on wooden blocks or pieces of PVC piping and blow air across it with oscillating fans, etc.

Wipe everything wet down with disinfectant (store brand Lysol house cleaning disinfectant should be sufficient) and increase air movement including using bathroom fans and ceiling fans;  open windows and doors weather permitting; turn up the heat since warm air can hold more moisture then cold air.

Small rugs especially with latex backing can be machine washed; allow natural fiber area rugs to air dry; anything that can be put out in the sun to dry is beneficial since the sun is a natural disinfectant and there is often a little breeze that will get things dry fast.

Pull the wet part of wall to wall carpet that is not glued down back to spray with disinfectant and to dry.  Pliers can work good to get hold of the corner.  Disinfect the floor as well.  Glue down carpet is usually fairly thin and will dry fairly fast with good air movement.  If a carpet has been made wet by sewer backup, it should be discarded.  Wear protective equipment such as rubber gloves, particle masks and safety glasses.

A small flood should be dry in 1-2 days, a little longer in humid weather, and a little faster in dry weather.  If the scope of the flood and the equipment at hand you have is not going to get things dry in this time period, then get some extra equipment (home hardware stores sell floor air movers that dry flooring fast and can be placed under wall to wall carpet) or get the assistance of a professional to take the job forward.

Larger floods are going to be a lot of work so check with your insurer to see how much you will be covered, and how you can then get the help of professional flood restoration people.

If you have any questions about a flooded area in your basement, call Ram Cleaning Services @ 403-291-1051 and ask to speak to one of our Flood Specialists

Complete cleaning and maintenance care in Calgary and area since 1967