Basements are a great place for storage or can provide an extra room in the house when renovated, but they’re also the most susceptible area in a building to flooding. Basement floods can lead to many problems when not handled quickly and with expertise. Learn how to manage water damage and the steps for successful flood cleanup so that you may have a functioning basement once again.
Causes of Basement Flooding
Basement flooding can be caused by a variety of sources. Often, large amounts of rainfall or leaking pipes are the contributing factors of floods, but they can also come as a result of situations such as faulty appliances, poor lot grading, an overloaded drainage system, cracks in the foundation, a blocked or full sewage system and sump pump failure. If you experience flooding in your basement, it’s important to discover the cause during cleanup efforts to determine the contamination level of the water and take appropriate action from there.
Problems Associated With Basement Floods
Even if there’s nothing of value in it, a flooded basement can’t just be dealt with whenever someone gets around to it. Neglecting to implement an effective flood cleanup process as soon as it’s safe to do so can lead to many structural problems and pose a health risk to those living or working in the building. Dry rot, crumbling sheetrock and insulation and a weakening of the walls, beams and other architectural support systems can all be brought about from water damage. It doesn’t take very long for mold and mildew to develop in an environment affected by moisture, which can promote asthma and allergies and have long-lasting effects once indoor air quality has been diminished. There are many other health hazards associated with contaminated flood waters as well, and flooding can also encourage the appearance of pests.
Proper Basement Flood Cleanup
When done correctly, the first few steps in basement flood cleanup should all relate to safety. No one should ever set foot in water without disconnecting the electricity first or without wearing the proper attire. It’s always recommended that you enlist the services of a professional water damage restoration company instead of attempting to make flood cleanup a DIY project because of the dangers of contamination and the special tools it requires to properly and completely dispose of all water. Once a restoration crew is called in, they will be able to begin the process of removing and drying up excess water with powerful water extraction equipment, dehumidifiers and other air movers. They can then thoroughly disinfect and deodorize the basement and all salvageable belongings.
How to Avoid Future Basement Flooding
Avoiding continual basement flooding situations will relieve you of a lot of trouble and expenses. Some preventative actions you can take include making sure downspouts extend far enough away from the structure, installing a sump pump if you don’t already have one, maintaining all appliances and plumbing pipes on a regular basis, patching any cracks found in flooring, walls or the roof and routinely cleaning out your gutters.
Basement flooding is a major headache, but resolving the dilemma with the appropriate flood cleanup practices and implementing solutions to avert future problems is sure to alleviate some of your stress.
About the Author
Tiffany Olson has a passion for writing and loves to share useful information with the public via guest blogging and social media. When she’s not blogging you will usually find her in the kitchen cooking or on a weekend road trip.
