MORE LOCATIONSRead on to learn about the causes of a flooded basement and how to repair it
From burst pipes and leaky foundations to a broken water heater, several factors can cause basement flooding. Regardless of the cause, basement flooding is an unfortunate event. Cleaning your flooding basement is daunting, especially if you don’t have the right tools or proper knowledge. This article is a guide to cleaning and drying a flooded basement.
Finding The Cause Of The Leaks
- If you are experiencing basement flooding, the first thing to do is find out the cause of the problem. There are several water entry points, but the seams between the wall and the floor, windows, and the wall itself are the major ones.
Once you have identified the cause of the leaks, patch it right away so that it stops leaking water. Heavy rain, storms, and rapid snow melting are the main reasons behind basement leaks and floods.
Preparing For The Cleanup
- Cut off the power supply to the basement to ensure your safety while trying to clean up the wet basement. It is wise to wear protective clothing, including gloves, waterproof boots, goggles, etc., to protect yourself from dirty water and bacteria.
Keep the basement windows open to allow fresh air into the space. This will ensure proper ventilation. Additionally, you can use fans to speed up the process.
Removing The Water
- Before removing the water from your basement, ensure the water standing outside your home has receded. You can use a pump to quickly remove water out of your basement. If you use a gasoline-powered pump, ensure your basement is ventilated. Because the exhaust fumes from the pump can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Remove one-third of the water and mark a line on the wall to keep tabs on the amount of water that you pumped out.
If you can’t find the mark the next day, that means water is still leaking into your basement. Find the source of the leak and fix it. However, if the water level does not increase., pump out the remaining water until the basement is completely drained.
Cleaning Up The Basement
- A flooded basement means a wet room in your home. Most homeowners use the basement for storage, an office, or a guest room. This means you will have to clean up and thoroughly sanitize the entire basement to restore it to its original state. A wet basement increases the risk of hazardous mold growth. It is better to replace all the porous materials that are saturated with water, including drywall panels, carpets, and furniture. While the mud and debris are still damp, get rid of them with a shovel.
Wash down all the walls before the dirt hardens. Use a strong chemical such as bleach to sanitize the entire floor and walls. Once you have cleaned and sanitized your basement, use fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the ventilation and drying process. Make sure there are no leaks, cracks, or other issues to prevent the risk of flooding in the future.
Waterproof The Basement
After cleaning and drying your basement, the next thing you should do is hire professionals to inspect your basement. Professionals will examine the space and let you know what needs fixing. Work with professionals to waterproof your basement. This will eliminate the risk of water leaks in the future. Different methods of basement waterproofing can help you ensure your basement stays dry and safe all year round.
Whether you need help with a flooded basement or require preventive basement waterproofing services, call us at 877-727-2259. Crack-X is a civil structures repair company operating in Maine and New Hampshire.