Whether you live close to a river or floodplain, the truth is that every basement is prone to flood. The water can flow down from the high ground, which means that your basement could turn into a pool of water under certain conditions.
It’s typically just a sudden rainfall that may soak into the ground near the basement. In addition, if you have an overloaded waterproofing system, the water may seep into gaps in the foundations of your home. Your basement should be adequately waterproofed by an expert who utilizes the tar sealant. Additionally, it should include a “weeping tile” that diverts the water away from your basement and toward a local sewer system.
What to Do After Basement Floods
To minimize financial loss, you must act quickly. There is a higher chance of mold developing if water is left in the region for an extended period. To reduce the cost, follow these steps.
Remove Water
Get rid of any remaining water as fast as you can. Typically, only a couple of inches of stagnant water may be removed using a vac. If you don’t have a wet vac in your home, look into purchasing the one you want, borrowing it, or renting one.
The water damage could be significant and require an expert’s assistance. If the damage is minor, the best option is to utilize towels to absorb the water, but they should be dried and cleaned as soon as possible to stop mold growth. Companies like PuroClean of Chatham have more information on their website.
Dry It Out
Utilize fans and dehumidifiers to circulate air, thereby hindering the growth of mold and mildew. Dehumidifiers need to be maintained at 6-8 inches away from walls to allow proper air circulation.
Once a week or so, you should clean and wash the filters to ensure the fan operates appropriately. Always run your air conditioner. Get rid of any moist boxes.
Scrub Flooring
Use a scrubber with a solution of not more than 1 cup of chlorine bleach and one-gallon water. Make sure that you’re wearing rubber gloves and goggles during the process, and make sure that you keep the area well-ventilated. Visit this restoration company for additional details.
Examine and Clear Gutters
Put on your rubber gloves, and look over the drains and steps in your basement. Take away any leaves, twigs, or dirt.
Take the drain screen off and thoroughly clean it; clear the drain with the plunger or plumber’s snacker if required. Clean out the gutters and downspouts on the outside of the home.
Freeze Your Assets
If you notice that precious documents or beloved papers are becoming damp, you can immediately put those documents into the freezer. This will likely halt mildew development and degeneration until you have time to tackle them later.
Decide to keep nothing valuable in the basement. You can use concrete blocks to hold your possessions from the ground. Plastic storage bins are a great alternative to cardboard boxes if you use them in the basement.
Prevent Mold
The mold issue goes beyond physical damage to your possessions and your home. It poses a significant risk to your and your family’s health. Prevent this by disinfecting the walls.
Purchase Pine Oil and Clorox Bleach. Determine the bleach dilution rate and use an application spray that applies the solution to all surfaces and floors up to and including the areas where the moisture meter indicates it is wet. Look up “Mould restoration companies Chatham” for best results.