Need advice ASAP -- Flooded Bsmt

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I just overfilled by about 40-50 gallons because I met the new neighbor, who went to my school, while taking out the trash and we got talking.

It's all carpet and the hallway is tile. The standing water is cleaned but it sounds like I need a wet/dry vac, a dehumidifier, and some fans.

I own none of this. Fans are easy enough... but is there a place to rent a dehumidifier and the proper vacuum and/or carpet cleaner?
 
I have a friend who got a wet/dry vac from homedepot. Just the top part you can get the bucket there also. I got my wet/dry at Kmart was worth it. I use it for everything. Everyone should have a wet/dry.
 
The recent rash of Chicago floods meant all the dehumidifiers were rented, but there was a huge sale at HD so I managed to get a 5hp wet vac for 20 bucks, which was awesome. It did a great job.

I singlehandedly moved the 125g (NOT FUN) and yanked the entire carpet up. I threw out the saturated pad, wet vacced the concrete, and am fanning it all off. I had to them make an emergency trip to Indy (loooooong day) so I didn't get as much vacuuming on the rug as I wanted, but I'm hoping to return tomorrow in time to take it out and get it some sun. I'd say it's 50/50 that I can save the carpet and just have to get a new pad.

The wet vac is BAD ASS. I never knew you could vacuum puddles. Heck, I even sucked out the last few gallons of the water in the tank with it :)
 
CHOMPERS;4191071; said:
Read your insurance policy. Flooring and dry out service is paid for under covered losses. If you have mold coverage, your insurance company will have a vested interest in paying for the dry out service.

Fish tank floods are not covered. Toilet and bathtub overflows are covered. A bathtub overflow is a category 1 flood and a toilet is cat 3. Cat 1 floods, they won't replace the carpet but they will replace the wood floor and carpet padding. Cat 3 floods they will replace everything that got wet.

Do you have a toilet nearby?

^I feel like this needs to be made into a sticky. Great information to know.^
 
My flood was on the basement level so under the carpet it's just cement. And the standing water in the hall and bathroom was on tile.

There are two areas that concern me though for mold: underneath the sink/vanity in the bathroom and in the 2x4 in the walls (not the vertical joists, but whatever you call the flat piece on the floor below them). The water passed through from one bedroom to the bathroom and the 3rd bedroom somehow, it had to have gotten under the baseboard/drywall and soaked into the wood a bit, right?
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com