Basement flooding can cause serious damage, up to thousands of dollars. While some floods can’t be anticipated, there are certain steps you can take to manage a flood and protect your home against future floods.
Why Basements Flood
There are a number of reasons why a basement can flood, from weather conditions to problems with the house itself. Some of causes of a flooded basement include:
- Burst pipes
- Sudden downpours
- Large amounts of melting snow
- Leaky windows
- Broken gutters
- A damaged foundation
- Tree removal
- Earthquakes
- Plumbing
Preventing a Basement Flood
Staying on top of home maintenance can help prevent a basement flood. The following measures can improve the quality of your basement, as well as the condition your home overall.
- Fix sealants around leaky windows.
- Call a foundation repair specialist if you notice cracks or other damage to the foundation.
- Call a professional to assess your landscaping, roof and gutters if you think your soil is overly saturated.
- Contact a plumber or repair person immediately if you notice problems with your plumbing.
- Waterproof walls inside the basement.
- Install a sub-pump to get rid of unwanted standing water.
- Make sure any plants or boarders are at least 12 inches from the foundation.
- Make sure the ground next to your foundation is slanted away from your home.
What to Do If Your Basement Floods
If your basement does flood, you’ll want to take certain steps right away. Don’t wade through any standing water until you’ve turned off electricity to the area and are sure that no open circuits are standing in the water. Call a basement contractor, foundation contractor or sub-pump installer. Use a wet vacuum or a bucket to suck as much water up as possible. A flood cleanup crew can clean and remove damaged items as well, and you might want to remove any valuable items from the basement until the water is gone. An electrician should inspect any electrical items that have been exposed to water, and don’t touch any electrical equipment while standing in the water. Don’t use any appliances without having a repairperson assess them if they have been sitting in water. You’ll probably need to tear out any fabric or carpeting and replace it with something new. These preventive measures and fast-acting steps can help keep your home from flooding and minimize damage when a flood does occur. Follow us for additional information on heating, cooling and more.