Wet Basement Repair and Restoration
Wet basement repair and restoration is something that homeowners seldom consider. Many regions of the United States allow residents to buy flood insurance and some areas don’t, but even in the places where insurance is available for basement water damage, most people don’t have it. Most people feel that a flooded basement will never happen to them.
Some basements take on water due to rising floodwaters in nearby streams and lakes. These homeowners face the carnage of a wet basement on a regular basis. Other homeowners sometimes get a surprise when exorbitant amounts of rain overcome the storm sewer capacity and the water backs up through drains and floundering sump pumps. In the worse case scenarios, parts of foundation give way and the basement will nearly fill with muddy, polluted water.
Cleaning and repairing a wet basement is a problem of mammoth proportions. A standard block basement will usually have personal property stored in it, most of which is destroyed during a flooding event. Washers, dryers, freezers, furnaces, dehumidifiers, and a host of other expensive household appliances and equipment can also be ruined by water, costing the owner thousands of dollars. A finished basement presents even more expensive restoration problems. Drywall, carpeting, furniture and entertainment centers that have been submerged might as well be tossed.
Wet basement repair and restoration involves several steps. Draining the basement is the first task and can be accomplished by the use of a pumping system. If the water is only a few inches deep it might seep out through the existing drains as the water outside diminishes.
Removing the destroyed property is the next job. Laying papers and photos out in the sun may save some of them. Clothing needs to be washed, furniture removed and the aftermath sorted through for what can be salvaged.
Cleaning the basement surfaces is next. The immediate danger is the growth of mold that may take years and costly professional procedures to completely remove, and in some cases the home becomes uninhabitable in a matter of days. A strong bleach solution or special mold-inhibiting solution can be sprayed or washed onto the walls and floor as well as any remaining furnishings.
Hiring the services of a professional wet basement restoration company is the best way to go. Most homeowners have little or no experience in handling a wet basement and mistakes at this time can be very costly.
