A room with extra requirements
A bedroom below grade depends on a few things that matter more than in other rooms. There has to be a way out other than the stairs, which is why building codes generally require an egress window or door in basement sleeping rooms. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms need to work, especially with a furnace and water heater a few feet away. And because people spend eight hours a night breathing the air, dampness and mold matter more there than in a storage room.
Floods hit every one of those. Water often enters through the egress window well itself. Alarms mounted low or on a damp wall can fail. Mattresses and bedding soak up water quickly. And the drywall, carpet and closet contents of a bedroom are among the most porous materials in the basement.
Before anyone sleeps there again
Mattresses and bedding
| Usually salvageable | Usually discarded |
|---|---|
| Sheets, blankets and washable clothing touched by clean water, washed promptly in hot water | Mattresses and box springs that soaked from below, especially after groundwater or sewage |
| Metal or solid wood bed frames, cleaned and dried | Pillows and comforters that sat wet for a day or more |
| Plastic storage bins and their contents if the lids stayed sealed | Particleboard furniture that swelled at the base |
| Cardboard boxes stored under the bed |
Common questions
Can a child sleep in the basement while dehumidifiers are running?
It is generally better to move sleeping elsewhere until materials have been removed and readings show the room is dry, especially after groundwater or sewage. Ask the provider when the space is ready.
The egress well filled with water. Is the window still safe to use?
Check that it opens freely, the frame has not swelled or rusted shut, and the well drains. A window that sticks after a flood should be repaired before the room is used for sleeping.
General information for Englewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.