In a lot of Philly rowhomes, the basement is where things go to be forgotten. Clearing one is a project, but it's a manageable one if you go in with a plan.
Why it's worth doing
- Moisture: Rowhome basements tend to run damp. Cardboard, fabric, and paper soak it up and turn musty.
- Pests: Clutter gives mice and rats shelter, and in attached homes the problem doesn't stay in your basement.
- Access: Your water heater, main water shutoff, sewer cleanout, and electrical panel all need to be reachable, fast, when something goes wrong.
- Safety: Stuff on the stairs and piled in walkways is a trip and fire hazard.
Step 1: Set up three zones
Before you touch anything, pick three spots: keep, donate or sell, and gone. In a rowhome, the "gone" pile usually ends up near the front door, since that's the only way out.
Step 2: Clear a path first
Start at the bottom of the stairs and work toward the mechanicals. Get a clear walkway to the water heater, shutoff, and panel before you tackle the corners.
Step 3: Pull out the special-handling items
Some things can't go in the trash or to a regular hauler:
- Old paint, chemicals, and motor oil are hazardous waste.
- TVs and computers have to be recycled under state law; see the electronics guide.
- Old fridges and freezers contain refrigerant; see the appliance guide.
Step 4: Check before you toss
Basements hold important papers, photos, and family items. Open boxes before they go in the "gone" pile. If it's an estate, give family members a deadline to claim things.
Step 5: Keep what stays off the floor
Whatever you keep, put it in plastic bins with lids on shelving, not in cardboard boxes on the floor. Leave a few inches between storage and the foundation walls.
Step 6: Get it out
Your options for the "gone" pile:
- Regular trash, within the weekly limits
- The city's bulk collection program, four items per appointment
- A sanitation convenience center, two bulk items a day
- A hauler, all of it in one visit
When to call us
If the stairs are steep, the items are heavy, or it's a full basement, the city's limits turn one job into weeks of trips. We carry everything up and out, sweep up after, and take it where it needs to go. Send us photos for a free quote.