Recovering from Mold and Water Damage
The First 48 Hours After a Basement Flood
Act fast. The sooner you clear the contents out of your basement during a water incident, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition to your items and possessions.
When a finished basement experiences significant water damage, such as a basement flooding or a water pipe burst, timing is everything. Where the sooner you begin the disaster recovery process, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition of your possessions and the finished basement environment.
The first 48 hours are considered the most important time period to react, as it is crucial to preventing further damage to the basement and the items within, as well as preventing a wide spread mold problem. Below are the first steps to take, preferably within these first 48 hours.
- Turn Off the Power. Never enter a flooded basement or touch the flood waters without cutting off the power.
- Call your insurance company. Policies differ. Most require special flood insurance to cover ground water leaks, but homeowner’s insurance may cover damage from indoor plumbing and hot water heater leaks.
- Get the water out as soon as possible. Call a disaster restoration company, a basement waterproofing company that offers emergency services, or, in some towns, you can call the fire department to pump the water out. If there isn’t a lot of water, you might try to get it out yourself, with a “floor sucker” or a shop-vac.
Dry everything out as quickly as possible
To prevent items and building materials from becoming ruined, dry your basement as soon as the water is removed. Ideally, the basement should be completely dry within 48 hours. After that, the potential for mold growth increases considerably. A professional restoration company might help expedite this process. Alternatively, you can consider acquiring a powerful basement dehumidifier.
A good basement dehumidifier, like the SaniDry™, available through Total Basement Finishing and Basement Systems dealers across the U.S. and Canada, will not only help dry your basement quickly after flooding, it will keep it dry and mold free afterwards, when your basement is refinished and restored.
Finding out what’s salvageable
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, items that are organic, porous and/or water absorbent must be completely dry within 48 hours of coming in contact with water. Forty eight hours is all it takes for mold to start growing in materials such as wood, drywall, fiberglass insulation, carpet, fabric, paper and upholstered items that are not completely dry. After mold starts to grow, these items should be removed and discarded. Mold grows roots deep into these materials and there is no 100% safe and effective way to remove it once is set, according EPA.
Flood-proof options to refinish your basement
Play it safe. Finishing your basement with products that are susceptible to moisture and mold growth may cause more than a headache, if a pipe leaks in your basement.
You’ve already gone through the hassle of having a basement ruined by a flood. You might have taken every step to properly waterproof your basement. You might have had a brand new drainage system installed and the best sump pump system your money can buy to reduce the odds of another flooding episode. Basements, however, are prone to water accidents of all sorts.
Unless you want to go through all the hassle again, the next time a pipe leaks, a drain clogs, the washing machine hose comes loose, or someone forgets to turn off the tap upstairs, it is a good idea to invest in basement finishing products that will not get ruined by any of these very likely events.
Waterproof Wall Restoration System
Waterproof Solution. Replace the damaged drywall in your finished basement with our waterproof and durable vinyl wall systems - EverLast™ Wall Restoration System.
After a finished basement floods, water damage to drywall is restricted to the bottom part of the wall. It would be a waste to completely strip the walls, when only a small portion is damaged.
Total Basement Finishing and Basement Systems dealers offer a waterproof half-wall restoration system that may be a great, money-saving solution in these cases.
Our EverLast™ Wall Restoration System is built using the same concept as the TBF EverLast™ Wall Panels. Built to last for as long as your house stands with a 50-year warranty, the wall restoration system will not be damaged by water or support mold growth.
It is easy to clean and available in a neutral colored finish designed to match existing walls of any color.
Insulated and Waterproof Wall Panels
Total Basement Finishing’s EverLast™ Basement Wall Panels were specifically designed to withstand the harshest basement moisture conditions, including basement flooding! EverLast™ panels are made entirely with inorganic and waterproof materials.
- Part of the wall panel includes R-13 rigid foam insulation that will make your basement comfortable and energy efficient.
- A cementitious board will not be damaged under water and is sturdy enough to support the weight of flat screen TVs and bookshelves without the need for studs or special hardware.
- A neutral-color, vinyl finish matches any décor, and is easy to clean and repair. EverLast™ Wall Panels carry an impressive 50-year warranty against mold and water damage!
Waterproof Flooring Options
Total Basement Finishing offers several options for your basement floor, including carpet and faux-wood! All our basement flooring solutions are waterproof and specially designed for the basement environment. They will not get ruined in a typical basement flood, and will not support mold growth. Check our flooring page to learn about our full line of basement flooring options, or visit our Photo Gallery page to see just how great they look in a finished basement!
Waterproof Basement Insulation
Improved home comfort. Our Basement-to-Beautiful wall panels will insulate and frame your basement's cold and damp exterior foundation walls.
Even if you are not ready to start refinishing your basement at this time, you might want to enjoy the comfort and energy efficiency of an insulated basement.
Total Basement Finishing’s Basement to Beautiful Insulation System is the perfect solution for basements that will be finished sometime in the future.
The system is comprised by graphite-infused R-13 Rigid Foam Insulation Boards that are pre-cut for electric wiring, and pre-fitted with proper hardware to hang cementitious boards or drywall (we don’t recommend this option) in the future.
Are you ready to begin rebuilding your finished basement? Let one of our expert basement finishing design specialist help you! When it comes to developing products and solutions for below-grade areas, no other company in the world has more experience and know-how!
Contact your certified local basement finishing contractor for a free design consultation. Re-build a basement that you and your family will enjoy for many years to come!
