What is Orbeez?

Orbeez is a kid’s toy. They are gel beads that grow when they touch the water.  They are super absorbent polymer beads made of acrylic acid, sodium hydroxide, and water. To be more fun, color pigmentation is added so they are colorful as well. The water molecules make them grow. Basically, they grow almost 150 times their original size when you put them in water. The purer the water, the more they will grow. They can be reused a few times; however, they do not last very long, and you eventually need to throw them out. While they are fun to play with, there are concerns about their impact on the environment.

The original intent of Orbeez was to be used in agriculture to help the soil maintain moisture. When they are mixed with soil they have the ability to hold moisture much longer so plants don’t have to be watered as much and their color pigment is not released into the soil. In the dry state, they can be used in sanitary products and disposable diapers.

Orbeez is biodegradable and safe for children and pets. However, it is warned that they are safe for children five and up as they can be a choking hazard for children under the age of 3. They are currently also successfully used in flower shops and in agriculture. These toys can be used for up to a year or two if they are not exposed to air. When you are ready to dispose of them, you can use them in the soil where they can survive 7 to 9 years. They should never be flushed down the toilet as they can clog your drains.

How can you use Orbeez to remove water from your basement according to TikTok?

If you’ve had a flooded basement before, you may know how much work it is to clean it up. You must use a lot of towels to help soak up the water. Then, you need to wring them out and repeat the process until all the water is gone. Or you can use a wet/dry shop vac until the tank of it fills up, then empty the tank and keep going until all the water is gone. This is where Orbeez, a children’s toy made of polymer beads that soak up water, can come in handy.

With the popularity of TikTok hacks, there are many influencers that have suggested using Orbeez to remove water from your flooded basement. These polymer beads will grow when they soak up water. You would simply place them in your basement and they would soak up the water. Then you can pick them up in a dustpan and dispose of them. You can either dispose of them in the trash or put them in plants around your yard. They are fully biodegradable and non-toxic for kids and pets.

How to Clean Up Water from Your Basement

It is important to know what to do if your basement floods. Although TikTok influencers found a fun way to remove water from your basement with Orbeez, you should always follow standard instructions on what to do if your basement floods. These suggestions are from water damage professionals and will help ensure the safety of your family and that no further damage is done to your property. Here are the steps:

Shut the power off:

It is important to shut off the power before you go into your basement. If you are unable to get to your circuit breaker, you should call a qualified electrician.

 Wear protective gear:

Make sure you protect yourself by wearing protective gloves, a mask, and specialized clothing before going into your flooded basement. This is because flood water can contain various chemicals, pollutants, and even raw sewage that can make you sick.

 Dry your basement:

It is important that your flooded basement is dried as soon as possible to prevent the formation of mold which can happen within 48 hours. Based on the amount of water you are working with, it is crucial to make a decision of whether you are using a wet/dry vacuum or a sump pump to get rid of the flood water. When using a wet/dry vacuum it can take some time, as you will need to empty the tank frequently when it fills up. Therefore, it will take you many trips to remove the flood water this way.

Once you have gotten rid of standing water, you should use large industrial fans to quickly dry the basement. You should also get a dehumidifier that is especially meant for basements so you can get rid of any additional moisture. Most of these specialized dehumidifiers have automatic drainage and controls so you don’t have to empty buckets of water or adjust the humidity.

All wet furniture and materials should be removed:

You should move all the wet items from the basement into a well-ventilated area. Also, all wet drywall and insulation should be removed as mold can grow quickly. Any wet carpeting should be removed as it can prevent the drying of the flood under the carpet. Any electrical wiring and outlets exposed to flood water should be thrown away. You should ensure you take photos of these items for insurance purposes.

All surfaces in the basement should be cleaned:

You should make sure to clean all the surfaces in your basement. This includes walls, floors, and any other affected areas. Once your home is fully dry and all items that were water-damaged are removed, you should clean everything with detergent and water. However, if you’ve already experienced mold and you are unable to remove it yourself, you should call mold remediation specialists to clean it up.

Waterproof your basement for the future:

Basements can flood at any time. You should install a sump pump and a perimeter drainage system in your basement so you can protect against any future flooding and water damage. There are many sump pumps available on the market and you should make sure you choose one that is battery-powered so that it can pump water out of your basement, even if there is a power outage. If you live in a high-risk flood area, you should also look into specialized vent systems which will help you prevent damage to your foundation in case the hydrostatic pressure builds up.

Have you experienced water damage in your basement? Make sure to call a specialist that provides water damage restoration immediately. They will remove all water from your property quickly and efficiently and restore the damage it caused. Water damage restoration professionals can also handle mold removal if mold has formed as a result.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.