Flooded Basement: What structural changes you require to avoid flooded basement?

Flooded basement is not only dangerous to the value of the property but they are also dangerous and cause of a number of respiratory problems. These basements if not cured in time and for future flooding would lead to massive property losses and you would end up filling insurance claim for the flooded basement. Each yeah there is millions of dollars worth of basement relates insurance claims are filled. You have to wait for a long time before your claim would be handled. You should always be prepared for the bad days.

One of the best ways to avoid flooded basement is regular and periodical checkups. You need to go into your basement and check every corner and every wall. You need to be very careful not to miss a single inch. Although a simple process but it has great advantages. Even before flooding if you find any cracks you can fill them up with sealant before all hell breaks loose. Minute cracks are dangerous too. Cracks in the basement walls are first indication of the flooded basement. So if you find any in their first stage you can cure them and avoid major catastrophe.

You also need to make sure that your house’s internal drainage system is working fine and is in perfect condition. Failure of this system especially lot drainage and foundation drains could easily result in flooded basement. It is of immense importance that you look for these systems and access their condition. If you find anything unusual such as increased smell or moisture you need to act fast. Maintenance of drainage system can save you allot of money that can result in an event of flooded basement. Therefore make every effort to prevent the flooding of basement.

Always make sure that your sump pumps are in perfect condition. Failure of these pumps could easily result in flooded basement. These pumps are manufactured from durable materials and are also backed up by additional pump. In case one fails the other automatically takes over. However there have been incidents when both pumps have failed. This is because of poor maintenance and non- replacement of damaged pumps. Therefore to avoid flooded basement you need to make sure your pumps are in perfect working condition. A short dry burst can be made to see that the pump works. However long dry bursts should be avoided.

You should also check that home sewer connection to the street sewer dump is free and not clogged. This is one of the biggest causes of flooded basement. Not only it would result in your life miserable but it will also make the life of your neighbours miserable too. If you find any blockages then you need to act fast otherwise you would be left with flooded basement with sewer water. There are a number of methods available to open your clogged sewer connection. The most effective solution is the chemical drainage cleaner. Just pour the contents and watch the magic.

Flooded Basement Water Restoration

Prevent flooding basements and leaks with these simple tips

Repair Water Damage with this guide

If left unchecked, water damage as a result of leaks, dampness, seepage and similar problems can cause major home damage. That’s why water damage cleanup done at once is recommended to prevent further problems that may cause you more money and require professional services in the future. Water damage often occurs where we don’t see them like behind walls or under the floors. So it’s best to check these areas regularly before damage gets too big. Most homeowners can handle simple and quick clog fixes and repair of basic toilet trouble but nothing can prepare an amateur or a first-time homeowner for some of these water damage problems.

Plumbing

Before making any plumbing repair, shut off the water supply at either the main valve or the valve nearest the fixture. Because dripping water can cause damage and create electrical hazards, even minor leaks must be repaired by a professional plumber. Small repairs, however, such as a small crack or a waste tubing puncture, can be removed using an electrical tape around the pipe. A rubber pad and a hose clamp can also be used to cover the leak. Secure it with a C-clamp and two same size blocks of wood for larger leaks.

Damp Basement

Waterproofing the interior walls can almost always prevent moisture build-up in the basement. Installing a window exhaust fan can also control humidity inside the room. Clearing any clogged drains and roof gutters can also prevent leaks and seepage in the basement. If flooding is a problem during rainy months, installing a drainage system can combat heavy flooding. You may also regrade areas around the house so that water will flow away from the foundation.

Clogged Toilet

Place the cone of your plunger securely over the bowl’s drain hole and pump the plunger up and down vigorously. If this does not dislodge the obstruction, wait for an hour and try it again.

If plunging fails, crank the auger”s handle clockwise to feed its snake into the hole until it meets the obstruction. Continue cranking clockwise until the auger’s handle meets the obstruction.If this method does not work, the problem may be the main drain. Call a plumber if this happens.

Clogged Drain

Before using a commercial drain cleaner, try clearing a sluggish drain with a plunger. If that fails, but there is some flow of water, you can try the drain cleaner. Just be careful in using these chemical drain cleaners as they are caustic and poisonous.

Flooded Basement

Excess water needs to be taken out and have the room dry out completely. Sometimes the use of water damage restoration equipment such as dehumidifiers, air machines and blowers, scrubbers for cleaning and even deodorizers are needed to clean and dry the basement properly. Oftentimes, it is best to call a water damage cleanup and restoration company to do the job and can even be less expensive than doing the cleanup yourself.

Flooded Basement Water Restoration

8 Ultimate Tips to Mold and Mildew Removal in Basement

Mold and mildew are both similar in that they are known as moisture type molds, meaning that they thrive and proliferate in moist environments. They like to grow on organic materials like wool, leather, wood, cotton and paper but can be seen in walls, floors and ceilings.

Mildew and mold in the basement are common but it is not safe to continue with this condition just a few feet away from where you sleep and eat. When they are left to grow, the molds and mildew will eventually develop a natural defense which is known as myotoxins. These are very toxic and can cause illnesses to the upper respiratory system which may be difficult to diagnose if nobody knows that it is caused by them. If you see any sign of them in the basement, immediately do mold mildew removal procedures.

Mold and Mildew Removal Tips

If you are undertaking this yourself, you need to put on protective gear like goggles, face mask, disposable clothing and long rubber gloves to protect yourself from coming in contact with the molds or the chemicals that you will be using to clean them.

Identify the source of moisture in the basement. Look for leaking pipes, laundry piles, water heaters or carpets which are ideal places to grow. Fix them immediately to prevent future growth.
Open up the windows to let the sunshine and fresh air in as it will immediately get rid of mold and mildew.
Immediately remove and dispose of affected materials in sealed plastic bags to prevent the molds and mildew from spreading.
Spray on undiluted white vinegar to severely affected areas or a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar to prevent the molds and mildew from becoming airborne.

Scrub off the mold and mildew stains with a stiff and sturdy brush using specialized mold and mildew killer chemicals or a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar, a homemade cleaning solution which is just as effective in killing them.
If you are using the natural cleaning solution, disinfect the area with a bleach solution using 1/4 cup of bleach diluted in a gallon of water. If you are using a chemical solution, there is no need to follow-up with a disinfectant because it already has a disinfectant included.
Remove water from the area well using a blow fan, heater and/or control future humidity levels with a dehumidifier.

Flooded Basement Water Restoration

5 Essential Tools to Fix Flooding a Basement Yourself

While most instances of home floods are minimal and usually damage only the carpet and floors, there are instances when these floods will fill up the basement. Since the basement is the lowest portion of the house and is designed to be waterproof to keep water from entering it, letting out the flood water is also a problem. You cannot delay applying remedial measures to fix water damage in the basement. The longer basement water repair works are delayed, the higher the chances of permanent water damage. Even worse, molds will develop in just 48 hours and this can be toxic to you and your family.

Flooded Basements

There are two instances when you want to do the basement water repair work yourself. First is if you do not have homeowner’s or flood insurance and the expense of hiring a contractor would be more than you can afford. Second is when the water that flooded the basement is clean and the volume is not too much. But in order for you to successfully fix your basement flooding, you need to be equipped with the right tools to do the job.

Buckets

If you really want the most basic method, bailing out the water using buckets is the cheapest way to go. You may not need to buy if you already have this at home. But the volume of water you can haul out with a bucket is very limited so the work will be slow and backbreaking.

Sump Pump

You can remove more water with a sump pump. The requirement for the sump pump to siphon out the water is that it has to be submerged so when the water is very low, the sump pump will no longer work unless you have a prepared sump pit in your basement where water can flow to.

Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner

Your vacuum cleaner would be a great help in removing water in your basement, provided that it is clean and does not contain contaminants will could be a potential health hazard.

Industrial strength submersible pumps

These can be gas-powered which is useful when the flood caused a power outage in your place. These pumps can remove a lot of water in a short time and can be rented out from basement water repair contractors or bought from reputable dealers for consistent protection.

Flood Water Pumper Extractor

This can be rented out from contractors and can come in portable and truck mounted type. Both have tanks that will collect sludge and debris which can be safely disposed of later.

However, when the work is massive, it might be a better option to get a contractor to fix water damage than do it yourself. Working with a contractor will give you the guarantee that the work is being done properly and there is nothing left that will add further damage to your home and your health.

Flooded Basement Water Restoration

How Did My Basement Get Flooded?

Because basements are located underground, it is always prone to flooding. Whether your home is new or old, there will always be a possibility of a basement water problem so it is important to constantly inspect the basement for any signs of water leakage or seepage. When your basement gets flooded, there will not only be costly repairs required, especially if your basement is finished, but there will be health concerns and the risk of electrocution.

There are many reasons why your basement can get flooded, even if your home is new.

Flooded Basement

Your sanitary and rainwater sewers may be combined so excess water from outside can enter through the home’s drainpipes in the floor, sink or toilet. To prevent this, standpipes should be connected to the floor drain so that when water backs up into the floor drain, it stays in the standpipe instead of getting out. In new constructions, the Clean Water Act prevents routing of rainwater to the sewer systems.
Water that has congregated in a sidewalk, driveway outside next to the foundation wall may seep in through the cracks in the foundation. There may also be excessive rainwater in the grounds around the foundation which can also cause water to come into the basement. Many home owners have basement water sealing done to their home or install sump pumps as a preventive measure but this will not guarantee against floods or leakages.

Leaking toilet or leaking or busted pipe. It may not necessarily be in the basement itself. It may be in the upper floors but the water ends up dripping down to your basement. This has to be fixed or replaced right away.
Clogged tubs or sinks. Again, it might be in the upper floors but the water will end up in the lowest part of the house, the basement. The only remedy would be to unclog and fix the drains or the pipes so the water flows down to the drain pipe instead of to the basement.

For those who perpetually suffer basement water problems, it may be a good idea not only to waterproof your basement but to install a sump pump as well which can immediately remove whatever excess water there is before it does damage to your basement.

Hopefully, these suggestions will give you an idea as to why there is a water problem in your basement.