Flooded basement in an REO property
Although it’s not sewage, over the ground flood water is considered Category 3 water – the nastiest kind.
Why?
A basement in a Westampton, NJ home flooded with water and with worry!
Pumping out the water in an REO property in New Jersey
Your nose knows!
If you find yourself asking “what’s that smell?” then you know something’s growing.
If it smells like a locker room, most likely it’s bacteria; if it smells musty or cheesy, it’s most likely mold.
So what can people do to help themselves – before the whole building becomes contaminated?
1. First, get the water out. Don’t wait! Use a sump pump or trash pump to remove the standing water.
2. Second, use a wet/dry or shop vac to extract as much of the remaining water as possible.
3. Next, remove everything that is wet, including furniture, carpet, pad and drywall – up to 4 feet if necessary.
If there is insulation, throw that out too.
Insulation acts like a sponge and holds water for a very long time.
4. Then, spray everything with an anti-microbial solution. DO NOT USE BLEACH!
Bleach is mostly water and will feed mold on non-porous surfaces.
Go to Home Depot or Lowes and purchase a disinfecting solution that states clearly on the label that it does not contain bleach or ammonia. And there are many products now in the marketplace now that are non-toxic to humans and animals.
5. After you’ve extracted and sprayed antimicrobial, get a dehumidifier and as many fans as you can to circulate the air.
A dehumidifier by itself will only do part of the job.
Without air flow, sections of the damaged area will remain wet – and grow health threatening mold and fungus.
