Flooded basements can cause even a strong-willed property owner to stress out and panic. If an owner is the king or queen of house maintenance (we are talking about cleaning gutters and windows regularly), they may be thinking: Where did this water come from? How much will it cost to fix the problem? What about the furniture and appliance inside the house? Fear not because this article will help homeowners along the way.
Listed below are things property owners need to do when they first notice flooding in their basement, which they need to call to help fix the damage and waterproof the basement so that they will never have to deal with this kind of problem in the future.
The cost of fixing flood damages
According to experts and professionals, floods are the number one disaster in the United States. It averages more than three billion dollars in claims every year. While some standard insurance policies do not cover this kind of damage, separate flood insurance is readily available in most places—yearly premiums for this kind of insurance average around $600 to $800 per year.
To know more about the risks and costs of floods in the United States, click here for more details.
Property owners can call their insurance policy provider or check their plans if they are not sure if they are covered. The cost of fixing flooded basements differs significantly depending on the depth of the water, as well as the kind of water (sewage, storm, or clean).
Pumping out the water and drying a lightly flooded cellar thoroughly can cost more or less $800. Depending on the size of the area, as well as the amount of water present, the cost can significantly increase, more or less $10,000 if the homeowner needs to repair walls, furnishings, ceilings, and flooring.
What is the first thing homeowners need to do if their cellars are flooded?
Before property owners do anything, it is imperative that homeowners shut off the power source associated with the flooded cellar. If they are not sure how to turn off the power source, call a reputable electrician before entering the space and starting the clean-up.
The subsequent thing property owners need to do is to determine the source of the leakage. If a heavy storm or rainwater caused the flooded cellar, they need to wait until the storm or rain has passed before starting the clean-up or repair.
If it was caused by other issues, like burst water pipes in the house, homeowners need to take immediate action as soon as they notice their basement is leaking or flooding. If property owners are unsure how their cellars flooded, they can call professionals or contractors for help. Plumbing contractors, disaster restoration experts, or basement waterproofing firms will be homeowners’ best bet.
Visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_drain to find out more about storm drains.
How do property owners clean up after a flood?
Start the clean-up process by removing the water from the cellar with a wet and dry vacuum, mop and bucket, or pool pump. Once you have gotten rid of as much water as you can, move damaged items out of the basement and place them in a well-ventilated place to let them dry out.
Give things at least 48 hours or three days to dry out. If they are still wet or damp after that, it is probably in the homeowner’s best interest to just throw them away to avoid mildew and mold. And what about cardboard boxes that got wet? It is best to throw them away, too.
These things are pretty susceptible to bacterial growth, so make sure to stay on the safe side and replace them with new boxes. If the house has carpet in the basement, remove them immediately so the floor underneath can dry out properly. Give the basement a couple of days to dry out. People can speed up the process by keeping windows and doors open as much as possible.
They can also place fans around the area to increase air circulation. Lastly, wash the walls and floors to remove the dirt left behind by the floodwater. If property owners notice damaged insulation or drywall, call a contractor or professionals to help them, replace it with new materials to prevent basement floods in places like Akron, Ohio and the spread of mildew or mold.
How to waterproof basements?
To avoid flooding in the future, make sure to waterproof the basement. Start by ensuring that the rain spouts and gutters of the property are adequately cleaned regularly. When gutters and rain spouts are clogged, water can sip through drywalls and down the cellar causing serious damage and flooding.
Rain spouts also need to direct water far away from the house so that it does not pool around the edges. Five to six feet away is an excellent rule of thumb. Inspect the landscaping around the property’s perimeter. The ground needs to slope away from the foundation, not towards it.
Plants need to sit at least two feet away from the property. Be careful of trees that are too close to the house as well. Tree roots can cause basement problems if they break through the house foundation and will cause cracks. When in doubt, it is best to call waterproofing firms or plumbing professionals. Get quotes from a couple of professionals so that you can compare plans of action and prices.
