Page 646 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 518

[ ] If water rises to the original level by the next day, it's still too early
to drain the basement.

[ ] Wait a day or two. Then pump basement water down several feet
again.

[ ] When water stops rising in the basement, pump the water down
another 2 feet.

[ ] Wait overnight. Then pump another 2 feet each day until the basement
is dry.

The water in a flooded basement is sure to be dirty - not suitable for a clean water pump. You'll need a
trash pump with a screened inlet.

Start the drying. There are six ways. You'll probably need to use all six:

1. Use air movers to get the air circulating. Don't use central air
conditioning or the furnace blower until you're sure ducting is free of
contaminants. Carpet saturated with clean water can usually be
salvaged by "floating" the carpet and pad on a stream of dry air. Raise
the carpet on blocks in several places. Then use an air mover to force
air under the carpet.

2. Use dehumidifiers. A high-capacity dehumidifier can reduce excess
moisture very quickly.

3. Open closet and cabinet doors. Remove drawers to promote air
circulation. Wood drawers swell when wet. Some may be stuck shut.
You should be able to open stuck drawers once drying has started.

4. Begin drying ceiling and wall cavities. We'll cover structural drying
later in this chapter.

5. Use desiccants. Materials that absorb moisture are particularly useful
when drying an enclosed area with limited air circulation. Desiccants
include chemicals, cat litter made of clay, and calcium chloride
pellets. Hang the desiccant in a pillowcase, nylon stocking or other
porous bag. Put a bucket under the bag to catch any dripping water.
Then close the closet or cabinet being dried.

6. If the humidity is lower than indoors, and if weather and security
conditions permit, consider opening up the house. Use a hygrometer to
check indoor and outdoor humidity. Opening all the doors and windows
can exchange moist indoor air for drier outdoor air. Close up the house
at night or any time humidity is higher outdoors.

Be patient. Even with plenty of equipment, drying a home will take several days. Until the home is
reasonably dry, damage caused by mildew and decay will continue. The musty odor will remain until the
home is thoroughly dry.