Be mindful of health and safety with a flooded basement. Homeowners may be exposed to waterborne diseases, corrosive cleaning agents and irritants found in leftover sludge from a flooded basement. Electrical accidents may occur because of contact with water and electricity. If possible, shut off electrical power.
- Consider hiring a professional cleaning company familiar with cleaning sewage contaminated basements.
- Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.
- Dress appropriately – wear full-length clothing, gloves, protective eyeglasses, rubber boots and a mask.
- Stay away from electrical equipment. Have a licensed electrical contractor assess the situation to determine if there are potential electrical hazards.
- Water could extinguish a pilot light on a gas appliance. If you detect gas, leave the house immediately and contact the gas company.
- Discard all contaminated items that cannot be washed and disinfected (i.e. textiles).
- Wash all surfaces with hot water and liquid detergent, rinse and thoroughly dry and ventilate the area.
- Sanitize walls and floors using a solution of household bleach (mix 1 cup bleach with 5 gallons of water).
- Remove and discard drywall and insulation that has been contaminated with sewage or flood waters.
- Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent.
- Discard any packaged or non-packaged food items that may have come in contact with the flood waters.