Posted: 7/3/2012 11:34:30 AM EDT
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What is the best way to clean/sterilize my concrete and cinder block basement?
It has not been thoroughly cleaned in say 20+ years and there is a layer of grime over everything that does not seem to stop. I washed one spot(8'x10') by spraying with water and bleach (and stuff) and scrubbing repeatedly for about 5-6 hours. There has to be a better way. And keep in mind: small children live in this house. Also, anyone here have any positive experiences with cinder block basement leak repair? I think this is the reason for the grime. |
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Quoted:
Also, anyone here have any positive experiences with cinder block basement leak repair? you have two options... 1) reduce the hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the foundation. generally this is done by trenching around the EXTERIOR perimeter wall and putting in a french drain system consisting of stone and drain tile (pipe with holes in it), along with a waterproof coating on the foundation itself. in some cases the water table is high, and water is coming into the basement through the floor or through the floor/foundation wall interface. in this case, exterior french drains are not going to help. 
2) manage the water that is getting into the house. generally this is done by trenching around the interior perimeter wall and putting in a french drain consisting of stone and drain tile (pipe with holes in it). any water that gets through the foundation walls or slab is trapped by the french drain system, and by gravity flows to a sump pit. in the pit is a pump with a float. as water comes in, it gets pumped out. 
*note: you may have one or both of the above systems, but they are not operating correctly. for example, exterior drain tiles can fill with mud, and become ineffective. in either case, you should supplement your drain approach with a dehumidifier. see more pictures here for some ideas: google images ar-jedi |
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For cleaning, I'd start with a dust mask, head lamp, and big plastic brush, followed by a shop vac. Then, squirt bottle of water and shop vac to pick up the water on the floor, followed by de-humidifier. If you are constantly getting stuff off the walls, you might be causing a reaction to something with your cleaning agent so "getting stuff off" isn't an indicator of being clean. You are just causing a reaction and then getting the reactants off the wall. Basements need a constant barrage of "clean a few spots a week" to stay nice. Once you get the water issues fixed on the outside, consider a nice bright coat of paint. Painting rafters also helps brighten things up a lot, keeps light bouncing around rather than just getting sucked up. Only after the water is stopped would I use bleach, or on existing painted walls. Use active ventilation, either run your AC / Forced Air on "Fan On" or use portable fans.
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Rent a Hotsy.
(Oil-fired Boiler/pressure-washer system.) Set it up outside in your lawn and run the hoses into a window. You can also inject detergent (or other appropriate-to-the-task-at-hand) cleaning agents into the line as you blast the grime away with piping HOT water. Nothing works better for really dirty stuff. They are used extensively on greasy farm and industrial machinery. |