How to Clean Flooded Concrete Floor

The porous nature of concrete floors allows for the absorption of materials into the floor. This makes it particularly tricky to clean concrete floors after a flood. Water causes stains and the formation of mold and mildew which results in dank, musky odor. If another substance, such as oil or gasoline, gets mixed into the flood water, these materials get absorbed into the concrete as well. Staining or sealing concrete prevents the absorption of these materials and allows for quicker clean-up. However, unsealed concrete floors can be cleaned and restored with a little bit of work.

Sump pump
Shovel
Water hose with high-pressure nozzle
Bucket
Detergent
Bleach
Wire bristle brush
Fan or dehumidifier
Masks and gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Wait for the flood water to recede or rent a sump pump to speed up the process. If you choose to use a sump pump, make sure that the flood waters have receded from around your home completely.
- 2
  Remove all debris and discard what cannot be cleaned with bleach. Shovel out all mud, silt and grime to the best of your ability.
- 3
  Spray off dirt and stains with a water hose on a high-pressure setting. Work from the top of the concrete walls downward using a sweeping motion that pushes all dirt down the walls and onto the floor. Once all dirt has been washed from the walls, start pushing the dirt out the door or into a drain using the water hose.
- 4
  Scrub the walls and floors with a wire brush soaked in a mixture of bleach, warm water and detergent. Pay particular attention to areas where stains are present. If there are other types of materials on the floor, use a specialized cleaner specific for the type of material.
- 5
  Rinse the walls and floors thoroughly.
- 6
  Open all windows and doors to aid in drying and ventilation. Place fans pointed directly at the floor so that it will dry quicker. Move the fans around until all areas have been dried.
- 7
  Consider using a dehumidifier or leaving windows open until all threat of mildew and mold has passed.

How to Pump Water From a Crawl Space

How to Dry Out a Wet Laminate Floor

Flood Damage