It only takes a severe leakage or hole to mess up your basement at the right time. But while flooded basements are not a problem we wish to face, you’re almost guaranteed to experience it at some point. So what happens when your basement gets flooded?
Don’t worry. See our guide here for steps you should take as soon as the flood takes over your basement. We have consulted the best professionals in the business, including Water Damage Clean, who provide mold removal and water damage services in South Florida, to come up with this guide. You can, therefore, stay assured that this will be a helpful resource to refer to if you ever find your basement flooded.
What Causes Basement Flooding?
A lot of factors and lousy timing cause basement flooding. Here are some common causes of basement flooding that happen to most homeowners.
Flood-Prone Home Location
Flooded basements are caused mainly by your location. Residential areas near natural water sources like rivers and streams can experience flooding during hurricanes or high tides.
Because of this, most residential areas today have put up signs on flood-prone areas, and houses have measures to protect their houses from flooding and drain rainwater quickly. And if flood water still seeps in, these residents have flood cleanup measures in place to keep their houses from getting water damage.
Pipeline Leakage
A hole and breaks in one of your pipes, especially on your high-flowing water sources, can cause problems the longer it stays broken. While leaks are usually preventive and can be cleaned easily, leaks in winter are even more dangerous as water freezes up and expands, causing your leaking pipes to burst and cause injury.
Degrading Weather Proofing Materials
Houses that handle heavy downpours and melting snow tend to accumulate water and degrade your waterproofing roofs, drains, and materials. If left untreated, water can seep into cracks and unsealed walls, leading to a flooded house.
What Happens if You Leave a Flooded Basement
Leaving a flooded basement even for a short while can cause long-term damage that could destroy your home and make it an inhabitable place. But what potential damages can your home get if you ignore the flooding in your basement?
Electrical Circuit Breaks
It takes a small amount of water to completely ground your circuits and quickly destroy your appliances and connections. It is a chain reaction caused by a faulty or wet circuit from your basement that could affect other sources.
Structural Damages
Groundwater can quickly damage flooring and degrade basement walls and electronics. While some appliances and ventilation systems are not exposed to water, the forming humidity in the basement affects their performance and durability in the long run.
And because of growing mold in your structure, you may be forced to do extensive repairs or replace parts of your home to maintain structural integrity and safety. Not only that, you’ll be putting your family’s health at risk. Mold is known to be extremely damaging to one’s health, often causing severe allergic reactions.
Can Mold Grow in a Flooded Basement?
Yes, part of flood cleanup operations is focused on quickly removing water to minimize mold growth. After a day, molds and mildew will start growing on your basement walls, and delicate items like clothing, bedding, and humid corners create a pungent, humid, and earthy smell that can cause issues, especially if your basement is connected to your central ventilation system.
Best Way to Remove Basement Water
Removing basement water efficiently is essential for minimizing structural damage. You could use your basement vacuum to pump out groundwater or get a professional to remove it. Given that it’s safe to waddle through the flooded waters, you can also open clogged pipes, drainages, and drainage valves to speed up the removal process.
How to Fix Water Damage in Your Basement
After your basement has dried up, here are some ideas to improve your waterproofing and prevent another flooding.
Add Internal and External Pumps
If you’ve been facing floods regularly, consider installing pumping systems to push groundwater out of your home quickly. Additionally, you can add pipe drains for rainwater to a tank that you can modify to either pump the water outside to a natural source or store it for recycling.
Waterproof Your Basement
Waterproofing your basement can be challenging, mainly because it takes a lot of landscaping and an expensive price tag. However, this is the best solution to move the flood out and make your basement leak-proof.
Sealing Gaps and Plugging Holes
Ensuring that gaps and holes are sealed shut is a cheaper alternative for improving your basement waterproofing. Using a cheap caulk or hydraulic cement, you can quickly close gaps, leaks, and holes that can cause another flood. Just ensure you turn off your water source first and remove the humidity to help with your flood cleanup.
Ultimately, you want to waterproof your basement as much as you can. While plugs and adding drainages are already suitable for people living far from streams and don’t get flooded often, those in flood-prone areas should invest in much more hefty (and effective) methods to protect their houses and basements.
Takeaway
Every house is riddled with damages and problems, from degradation to natural calamities. Flooded basements are just one of the things homeowners face. Leaky pipes or disrepairs usually cause it in your home, but there are measures you can take to ensure it doesn’t happen in the first place.
Taking care of a flooded basement is a race of time; the longer it stays flooded, the worse it can be for your home and family. When flooding happens, address the problem immediately for a cleaner and safer basement.
