4 Steps To Clean Up Your Crawl Space After a Flood

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Use a portable dehumidifier to dry out the area.

Cleaning Up After a Home Flood

The storm has passed, and like many residents of Mariemont, OH, you now face the task of cleaning up after a home flood. One area that tends to get overlooked is the crawl space. Flooding under your home can lead to damage and mold, however, so it's best to address it as soon as possible.

1. Asses the Storm Damage
How much water got in, and how long has it been there? The more water that is present and the longer it has been there, the more damage there is likely to be. For more serious flooding, reach out to a professional restoration company.

2. Remove the Water
The first step is removing the water; a pump or a wet-dry vacuum can accomplish this. You may need to reposition it a few times to get to all of the puddles. Once all of the standing water from the home flood is gone, look for any wet material and remove this as well. This includes wet insulation, rotting wood and anything moldy.

3. Dry the Area
Next, use a portable dehumidifier to dry the wood framing, the floor and the subfloor. Set the humidity level to 40%, and let it run for up to 10 hours, checking it every few hours. You can speed up the drying process by adding a lightbulb or electric fan to provide low heat.

4. Restore the Crawl Space
Once the crawl space is dry, disinfect it by wiping all surfaces down with a bleach solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1-gallon water. This will prevent future mold growth. If you had to remove any damaged wood or insulation, now is the time to replace them.
Now that you are back on a solid foundation with a clean and dry crawl space, look at home flood prevention and storm mitigation for the future to keep your place protected.