Many homeowners find themselves faced with the challenge of a flooding basement from time to time. The team here at Steve Mull Plumbing wants to share with our valued clients some simple but important steps you can take to avoid having your basement flooded and how to properly dry a flooded basement if necessary.
HOW FLOOD PROOF YOUR BASEMENT
Dealing with water in your basement can definitely be both frustrating and challenging. The best way of avoiding this challenge is to be proactive and take steps to flood proof your basement. Here are some ways to flood proof your basement:
- Install cavity draining – Cavity drainage involves building a new drainage system within your basement that is designed to intentionally flood water into an existing open cavity. Within the cavity created is a sump pump that is ultimately hooked to the main drainage system in your home. When the basement begins to flood, the sump pump will effectively pump the water upwards and away from the foundation of your basement.
- Install tanking in your basement – When you tank your home basement you are installing a waterproof barrier made of a waterproof coating to both the outside and the inside of your basement. The coating on the barrier will bond to the external and internal basement surfaces. The newly installed surfaces will keep the water from entering into your basement by turning your basement into a tank. Keep in mind, however, that the waterproof barrier installed may break down over time, which may cause you to experience flooding in your basement after all.
- Be sure to clear and clean your home drains and gutters – Often times when drains and gutters are clogged, basement flooding occurs. When your gutters are blocked the heavy rains can easily overflow while blocked drains leave the standing water with no way to drain or escape. Over time, this will cause water pressure to build up and ultimately seep into cracks in your basement wall causing basement flooding. Be sure your home drains and gutters are cleared and cleaned regularly and that the flow of water is directed away from your home.
STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN DRYING A FLOODED BASEMENT
Once your basement has been flooded and the water removed, one of the biggest risks you are then faced with is that of mold spores and bacteria growth. To stop mold from growing you can follow these simple tips:
- Remove water damaged furniture and items – Remove any items in the basement that are porous since they will more than likely be saturated by the water and can, over time, generate mold spores. Items such as wooden containers or cabinets, carpets, furniture pieces and drywall should be removed immediately as well as any other items that may have retained any water.
- Spray everything with disinfectant – Water very often leaves traces of bacteria that can be very harmful to the atmosphere and to your family. Using a mop and some bleach, be sure to give a quick and efficient clean up to everything affected by the water.
- Invest and install a dehumidifier – After a basement has been flooded there is much moisture that circulates in the air. A dehumidifier will remove this moisture and prevent any condensation from settling in your basement and creating mold spores. It is best to leave the dehumidifier on for a minimum of 2 days to ensure that the moisture in the air has been removed.
- Reseal concrete cracks in the walls or floors – Water typically finds its way into the basement through cracks in the walls and floors. We highly recommend you reseal any damaged concrete to reduce future risks of water entering into your basement.
CALL ON OUR PROFESSIONALS
The team here at Steve Mull Plumbing is steadfast in meeting the individual needs of all our valued clients. If you are faced with a flooding basement and are in need of professional plumbing services to help remove the water from your basement, then we are the team for you. Whether you are in need of a sump pump installation or any other plumbing services, look no further than the professionals here at Steve Mull Plumbing. Give a call out to one of our team today to obtain more information about how to safely remove flood waters from your basement or to schedule a service appointment.
