A flooded basement can be a nightmare for homeowners. Not only does it mean you have to replace your floors and carpets, but the musty smell lingers for weeks after the water has been removed. However, with a few simple steps, you can eliminate that nasty odor from your home.
First off, make sure all standing water is completely drained out of your flooded basement as quickly as possible. Then use an air scrubber or dehumidifier to dry up any remaining moisture in the air as much as possible before moving on to other steps that will help get rid of those pesky odors!
1. Get rid of all standing water as quickly as possible
First off, make sure all standing water is completely drained out of your basement as soon as possible. Then use an air scrubber or dehumidifier to dry up any remaining moisture in the air as much as possible before moving on to other steps that will help get rid of those pesky odors!
2. Use a mold inhibitor to kill mold spores
If you have a carpeted area, spray a product such as Carpet Fresh on the affected areas. Let it sit for about one hour before rinsing with water and going over it with a shop-vac to suck up any remaining moisture. If there is no carpet, clean the concrete floor with a mold inhibitor. There are several brands available, including B-I-N and Kilz. Let the cleaner sit for about half an hour before scrubbing with a stiff brush to remove any stubborn stains.
3. Use activated charcoal to absorb odors
Grab an airtight container (a five-gallon bucket works well), then place some dry activated charcoal (available at most pet supply stores) inside. Place it in your basement or wherever else you would like to eliminate musty odors, then leave it there overnight. The activated charcoal will absorb the odors for good! To clean up the used activated charcoal, sweep it up and place it back into an airtight container to reuse.
4. Get some fresh air in your home
Once all of the standing water has been removed, and the odor problem has been addressed, it is time to get some fresh air into your home. Turn on any fans you have to help get that musty smell out of your home once and for all! Once all of these steps are complete, you will be left with a clean and odor-free basement that you can enjoy for years to come.
