In light of the recent heavy rains, the City would like to offer the following tips for basement cleanup:
Determine the Cause:
Flooding of basements can occur any time. It can happen to anyone who has a basement, even if never flooded before. While most often flooding occurs during big rains or rapid snowmelts in the spring, it can occur even during dry weather. There are a number of reasons why basements flood. Flooding can occur by seepage or flow through the walls or foundation floor, from surface water sources, or by a sanitary or storm sewer backup. If you need assistance in determining the cause of basement water in your home, please contact Darien's Municipal Services Department at 630-353-8105 for further assistance. The following link provides additional useful information on reducing basement flooding.
Basement Flood Handbook
Gutters and Downspouts
Water pours off your roof into gutters, then into downspouts. If your gutters are full of debris they will overflow and dump water right next to your foundation. If the downspouts are dumping the water right beside your foundation, it drains directly to the drain tile and can easily overload your home's drainage. Make sure downspouts extend at least six feet from your basement wall. Also, be sure the water does not drain toward your neighbor's basement walls. Clean debris from gutters regularly. If they overflow even when clean, replace them with larger size gutters and downspouts.
Get rid of soaked organic materials that can't be completely dried out in 48 hours.
48 hours is how long it takes for mold to start growing in porous, organic and absorbent surfaces. And according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control, once the mold settles in such materials (wood, fabric, carpets, mattress and upholstery, drywall and fiberglass insulation) there is no 100% effective or safe way to completely remove it. They need to be removed and discarded. Clean all floors with a mixture of bleach and clean water.
Begin circulating air
Get air circulating as soon as possible. This can be done by turning on fans and running a dehumidifier.
Other ways to boost air circulation include opening doors, closets, and windows, if possible. Also, if your home has central air conditioning, leave the air conditioner running at a low temperature, as this will allow moisture to be pulled out of the room.
Continue to assess the home's structure for insurance purposes
Determine where the water came in, as this may assist with insurance questions. Also, examine how far the water has spread, and be sure the crews you have cleaning know the extent of the damage. The more information you can give your insurance and mitigation companies, the better.
Also, check your walls for any damage. Cinder block or brick walls can be cleaned with a bleach solution to prevent mold, but damp or wet drywall is at increased risk for mold growth. If the damage is bad, your mitigation company may have to discard your drywall.
Always let the inside of the wall dry out before considering replacement materials.
Examine your water heater's pilot light
Although the water heater may not seem like it can be easily damaged, excess water can snuff out the water heater's pilot light.
More severe flooding can sometimes cause larger damage to your water heater. If so, your adjuster or a plumber can determine if an entirely new system is needed.
Remove additional odors
A basement flood can cause unpleasant odors that tend to linger. The following tips can help dissipate the odor.
Use several large bags of charcoal (the kind used for grilling), open them and placed them around the basement in different areas. The charcoal absorbs the odors and some of the dampness that causes the odor. Make sure you don't use the quick light kind that has lighter fuel in it. Plain charcoal should work well.
Spray hard-to-reach corners and crevices with disinfectant spray to deodorize the areas and ensure that mildew spores cannot reestablish a colony there.
Sprinkle baking soda over dried carpets, rugs and upholstery and leave it on the surface overnight to absorb remaining mildew smells. Vacuum the baking soda up the next day.
Fill shallow bowls halfway with white vinegar and set the bowls throughout the basement. Allow the vinegar to neutralize mildew odor overnight.
Consider finishes that will not be ruined by water
After cleaning and waterproofing the basement, if you plan to refinish it, consider using products that will not get ruined by water. An internal drainage system with sump pump will keep ground water from coming in and will take care of the water from internal plumbing accidents, but fiberglass insulation against the concrete will still soak up ground water and a carpet will get wet by a plumbing leak, for example. Choose flooring and wall solutions that are 100% waterproof, organic and non-absorbent.
If you were impacted by the storms, the City would like your feedback. We are reviewing neighborhoods and flooding to identify problem areas and make improvements in the future. We would appreciate it if you would fill out our
Flooding Survey . Please leave the address of the flooding issue and your contact information if you would like us to follow up with you.
