Just because your home is not situated in a high-risk flood area does not exempt you from the possibility of basement flooding. The truth is that any basement can flood. Even if you live in a state where heavy rainfall is not experienced, your basement is not safe from flooding.
There are many home issues that can cause basement flooding, such as sewage or plumbing leaks. Irrespective of how shallow or deep it is, flooding can lead to serious safety and health hazards for you and the family. This is one of the reasons why it must be addressed as soon as possible.
In this article, we discuss the process of basement water cleanup, and what to expect. For additional information, visit our site at westhartfordwaterdamage.com.
Causes of basement water damage
There are many possible causes of basement water and no universal answer exists. Some of the common causes include excessive rainfall, plumbing leaks, leaky windows, melting snow, and leaks in your basement foundation.
Considering that it can only flow from high to low ground, water can even flow through the smallest flaws and cracks the lead into the deepest level of your home – the basement.
The following are the most common causes of leaks in your foundation:
Plumbing Leaks
This can be caused by many things including burst or leaking pipe, the supply hose of your washing machine, waste line, heater, or water tank.
To reduce the damage, the first thing you have to do before you call a professional is to turn off your water through the water shut-off valve. You may have to contact a professional plumber if your valve is buried in the ground. A professional will have the right tools to turn the valve off.
A high-capacity pump may be required to get all the water out of your basement. This use of this equipment will make the cleanup faster and ensure that water does not sit too long in the basement. This way, your carpet, and drywall will not be soaked.
Sewage Leaks
The main cause of sewage leaks is a sewer line that is clogged or a septic tank backup.
The cleanup process must begin as soon as possible. The first thing being to get your faucets turned off and not flush your toilets until a professional comes to address the leak. If not well handled, sewage leaks can cause serious hazards. Therefore, the real cleanup process should be left to those who were trained for it.
Foundation Leaks
The common causes of leaks in your basement foundation are poor yard drainage and sewer backups, excessive rain, water seeping into your basement from foundation faults.
This will require the service of a professional foundation contractor. The professional will have your basement inspected, find what has caused the flood, and recommend the most appropriate solution to prevent future leaks in your foundation.
How do you clean up water from your basement?
Irrespective of if you want to do it yourself or you want to call a restoration specialist, the processes of basement water cleanup are the same. Always remember, the sooner you address the issue, the better. Also, it is always best to let a professional do the job for you.
The following are the steps involved in basement water cleanup.
- Stopping and fixing the Water Source The first thing to do is to find where the water is coming from and get it fixed. In the case of a leak, shut off the water immediately. Unfortunately, very little can be done to stop melting snow, a basement wall that is leaking, or flooding from rainstorms. In that case, go to the next step. NOTE: Should you attempt to do this yourself, take all measures to prevent electrocution
- Water removal. Removing the basement water as quickly as possible is the best way to minimize the damage and reduce the cost of repair. While a bucket or a wet-dry vacuum can be used to remove the water, the best tool to use is a pump. Again, hiring a professional is best for water removal. Do not dump the water anywhere close to your house so as to prevent it from returning through the foundation.
- Disposal of damaged Items. Even with the fastest cleanup method, some items will be damaged. Your carpet, carpet padding, paper goods, insulation, and electronics are easily ruined by water. Flooding can also damage your furniture and walls. So, you will need heavy-duty plastic bags to dispose of your damaged items.
- Dry your basement. After your basement has been emptied of water and damaged items, it will need to be dried out. The use of structural drying dehumidifiers and high-volume fans can be very helpful for flooded basements. Although house fans can also work, they would take a long time to get the basement dry. This can result in more damage and mold growth.
- Disinfecting your basement after it has been dried is the next thing to do. While there are many homemade recipes that can be used to do it, many of them can prove ineffective. To save yourself the worry, hire a professional to properly disinfect your basement, using the most effective procedure and products.
- Restore your basement. The last thing to do is to get your basement rebuilt. The intensity of work to get this done will depend on the severity of the damage, and whether the walls, floors, or other materials were removed. Repainting may sometimes be necessary in some cases. Also, some damage could require the installation of new drywall or laying new carpet.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean Up Your Basement?
How much you will be spending on basement water cleanup will vary based on factors such as how much water flooded your basement and the speed with which you address the problem
According to Angie’s List, you should expect to spend $10,000 to repair a minor flood with a depth of a few inches. If the flood is a severe one, you could expect to spend as much as $25,000 to $50,000.
You can also check with your agent to know whether your Homeowners insurance policy covers the basement water cleanup.
Conclusion
The process for basement water cleanup can be an overwhelming one but must be done anyway. The problem must be attended to as soon as possible before things get worse with your basement.
A professional basement repair contractor will help you with the basement water cleanup process, using the most effective methods, and your basement will be restored to its old glory.
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