Friday, October 14, 2011

No One Likes A Wet Basement

By Adriana Noton


A wet basement can be a source of frustration for homeowners. Although there are preventative measures that can be taken to help prevent this from occurring, sometimes it is out of your hands. Once the damage is done, there are products that you can use to make the clean up process much easier.

A wet basement can be caused by a variety of things. The most common cause is the combination of bad weather and a broken sump pump. If there is too much water for your pump to handle or if it breaks or looses power, the water levels can rise very swiftly in your home. Excess ground water can also lead to flooding even when it is not raining. Moisture can also seep through your floor and walls if they have not been sealed in a proper fashion.

Water damage in your home isn't just caused by nature. Any appliance or pipe in your home that involves water has the potential to fail and cause water damage. Water heaters in particular can be very problematic. Because they hold many gallons of water at a given time, if the start leaking or burst, you may very well have a few inches of water in your basement. When the heaters get older, they tend to rust and mineral deposits build up at the bottom of the unit. Washing machines are also prone to leaks and overflowing that could also damage your floor.

A lot of these damages can be prevented if you take some preventative measures. You should regularly check your sump pump to make sure that it powers on when there is water present. It is a very smart idea to have a back up pump installed that is battery powered so that you are protected in the event that you loose power. You should also check your water heater and other appliances for signs of damage that may lead to leaks. As soon as you notice any problems, have the appliance serviced.

If you already have water in your basement, there are some things that you can do to make the clean up process easier. You will want to start your clean up as soon as you can. If water stands too long, you run the risk of mold damage. Mold can have many adverse affects on your health.

It is advantageous to have a wet/dry vacuum, especially if you have a lot of water to clean up. These machines collect the water in a reservoir so you can then drain it at a sink. Be sure that you take the paper filter out of the unit before you take up any water, as water will ruin the paper filter that is meant for dry debris. There are also submersible pumps that are very efficient with excess water as well.

Once you have cleaned up the majority of the water, you will want to get rid of the moisture in the air. Dehumidifiers are very good to have in this situation. They remove the excess water from the air and it collects in a bin or drains into a sink or sump pump. You can also use chemical products that will also help to remove moisture from the air and the floor. Sprays are also available to prevent mold growth and to reduce the musty smell.

If you have a wet basement Vancouver, you are probably frustrated and wanting to clean it up as soon as possible. Quick clean up is key to preventing a mold problem. Check your appliances and your sump pump regularly to insure that they are in good working order.




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