Is there water in your basement after a heavy rain? Obviously a major basement flood is a catastrophe that requires your immediate attention, but you may not realize that even the most seemingly insignificant flooding is a major problem.
The dangers of water damage aren’t always visible, and the hidden dangers of basement flooding, like structural damage, are often more devastating than the water itself.
If your basement is wet after it rains, it’s time to consider waterproofing your basement.
Issues That Arise From Basement Flooding
Basement flooding can have devastating consequences, and it’s important to note that many homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover water or flood damage. Immediate damage to your possessions is a top concern when it comes to flooding, but it’s not the only thing you should be worried about. Remember these issues that can arise because of flooding:
Excess moisture in your basement: This can lead to cracks in your foundation and seriously compromise the structural integrity of your home. It can also cause wood beams and supports to rot.
Appliance System Failure: If you’re like most people, your HVAC system and water heater are located in your basement. If your basement is damp, the moisture can cause serious damage and even lead to system failure. If your washer and dryer are located in your basement, they’re at risk, too.
A wet basement is a serious health hazard:Damp areas are the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew and fungus, and these things are all known to cause respiratory problems.
Electrical Shock: If you have standing water in your basement, it may also put you at risk for electrical shock should wires or electrical components come in contact with the water.
Signs of Moisture in Your Basement
Finding your basement full of water is the most obvious sign that you have a problem, but there are several subtle signs that you shouldn’t ignore. If you’ve noticed any of these things in your basement, you have a problem that needs to be dealt with promptly to avoid further damage.
Ready for Hurricane Joaquin? Larry and Sons can help! (301) 733-5428
With heavy rains already pouring down on us, and more expected throughout the weekend, it’s a good time to revisit safety concerns for heavy storms and rainfall. Hurricane Joaquin has already brought quite a lot of rain and is expected to do so throughout the weekend. Even if it doesn’t make landfall, the heavy rains and wind can cause significant damage to your home. Joaquin will cause several storms across the Eastern US as it passes, which will lead to severe flooding. Right now, hurricane preparedness should be your top priority, regardless of whether or not the main storm will hit the area. Don’t be caught unaware.
Waterproofing your home is the first step. You want your roof to be in good condition, so take the time to get it inspected and repaired. For the short-term, clear your rain gutters and drains to promote water flow away from the home. Make sure that your storm doors, windows, and basement are all properly sealed against the storm. Widespread flooding in the streets can still have a negative impact on your home but these small preparations will mitigate some of the danger.
Installing a sump pump in your basement can save you a lot of heart-ache in the future. Designed to rest in the lowest part of the home (where flood waters will start to accumulate first), the sump pump pushes water out and away from the home. Most sump pumps are tied directly into mainline electricity to power them. We highly recommend installing a battery backup or connecting your sump pump to an emergency generator to keep it running in the event of an emergency. Sump pumps are your mainline defense against in-home flooding.
Maintaining current flood insurance is the last line of defense against costly repairs and replacements. Even the best preparations in the world can’t overcome the ravages of a storm at times. A sump pump can fail during a particularly heavy storm, or may even fail to keep up with the flow of water. In these cases, separate flood insurance (which is usually not bundled with standard home or renters insurance) will cover the cost of damages from water. This is your last line of defense because, if you’re calling on insurance, damage has already occurred and it’s time to go into repair mode.
Of course, if you believe that flooding is going to be an issue, it’s best to prepare your home as best you can and then evacuate to a safer location before the storm arrives.
Prepare an emergency kit
Shut off electrical power
Clear gutters and drains
Ensure proper operation of your sump pump
Relocate expensive or irreplaceable items to a higher floor
Inspect Your Sump Pump
In advance of the storm (and ideally before the rainy season starts) you should inspect your sump pump to make sure it will operate properly and wasn’t damaged in previous storms.
Make sure it is still plugged in and will have power. Have a licensed electrician inspect the breaker box to make sure the circuit is undamaged. Test the battery backup and recharge or replace it as necessary. If you’re backup is based on an emergency generator, make sure that generator has sufficient fuel to operate.
Check the position. The pump should be standing upright. Pumps vibrate during operation, which can shift the location of the pump. Make sure any submersible pumps haven’t shifted positions to the side or to a location where the inlet may have become blocked.
Clean inlet and outlet of the pump. The outlet pipes need to be tightly joined together so that there are no leaks. Water needs to move unimpeded from the inlet to the final outlet which should be at least twenty feet from the foundation of the home. Test your pump by running water through it to make sure that water is actually being pumped away from the home.
Look for warning signs. Are there any strange noises, smells, or sights when your pump is running? Make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced. Make sure that there isn’t any oil in the sump well either, as this can indicate a failed pump seal.
Double check the activation switch for the sump pump. When water flows in you want to make sure that the switch will turn on.
The easiest way to test you pump is to simply pour water into the sump well. This should trigger the pump to start and, if everything is in order, water will flow out of the exit pipe outside.
Water – one gallon per person, per day, for at least three days
Three days of non-perishable food
Battery powered or hand-crank radio with extra batteries
Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Whistle to signal for help
Dust mask, plastic sheeting, and duct tape for shelter and contaminated air
Moist towlettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation
Wrench or pliers to shut off utilities
Can opener
Local map
During hurricane and storm seasons it’s never a bad idea to keep a go-bag on hand and ready. This would include basic toiletries (toothbrush and soap), first aid kit, a change of clothes, cash, identification, local map, batteries, flashlight, and a phone charger. In the event you need to move quickly, you won’t need to prepare, you can simply grab the kit and get away.
Practice Hurricane Safety
Hurricane Watch – conditions are threat within 48 hours. Stay informed and be ready to act if a hurricane warning is issued.
Hurricane Warning – Expected within 36 hours. Complete preparations and evacuate or be prepared to evacuate if advised to do so.
Hurricanes are large-scale storms with the potential for heavy damage to property and a huge risk to life. Do not take a chance, if you’re advised to evacuate, you should do so immediately. Ready.org has an excellent timeline of preparedness for hurricanes.
When preparing for a hurricane, follow everything that’s been advised for rains and heavy storms. You should also make sure that you stay advised by keeping a radio, TV, or webcast live and active in case an emergency evacuation or storm-level warning increase is announced. Protect your home by sealing and reinforcing windows, doors, and the roof to protect them from excess damage. Secure all outdoor objects and fixtures. If there are loose items, bring them inside to prevent them from being turned into dangerous projectiles in high-winds.
The last thing any homeowner wants to see is a puddle of water anywhere other than inside a sink. Whether it’s the house itself, or the pipes running through it, water sources are everywhere and the damage from slow leaks or major breaks can be severe. It’s always a good idea to regularly inspect your home and respond immediately to any possible water hazards. Continue reading “How To Prevent and Repair Water Damage”
Water can be a beautiful thing. But it can be a very nasty thing, too. While water is an essential for life, it brings a high price tag when gone unchecked and allowed to seep, leak, and drain into your Hanover home. Damage caused by water can cause structural damage to a building and destruction of its contents. When left unchecked – over time – water damage can lead to mold growth and have a serious affect on building occupants’ health.
The destructive forces of water leave telltale signs throughout a building. Let’s look at some.
Wood damage – water can saturate wood, causing it to rot and decay. Check for discolored wood around plumbing fixtures, a sure sign of an ongoing or older leak that has since been repaired. Just because a leak has been fixed, the after-effects can linger. Soft or uneven surfaces around a plumbing fixture are a sure indication of water damage. Pull back carpeting, pads, tiling, or flooring to get to the root of the problem.
Drywall damage – porous material like drywall can leave many signs of water damage and, like wood, can be seriously degraded by water damage. Check for discoloration around plumbing fixtures and soft spots. Don’t assume that a dry surface that is stained is not a structural problem. You may have to cut out the drywall to reach the true source of the water damage.
Ceiling tile stains – a sure sign that water is coming in from a source above a roof or ceiling. Ceiling tiles are a porous material that are great for showing every little bit of moisture or water that comes in contact with them. The same is true with plaster or drywall ceilings. Stains indicate a more serious problem and should be investigated right away.
Damp, musty smells – water can leave some unpleasant odors, especially untreated water. Leaks or standing water are a source for higher humidity levels in a home. If you are standing in an area where water has soaked into floors or walls, there is often a damp, humid smell. Don’t mistake it for high humidity levels in the home. The smell can come from hidden sources like a leaking pipe joint or broken valve behind an access door.
Mold build-up – wood and drywall surfaces provide great food for mold growth when saturated with water. The mold can be of a harmless nature but often can become dangerous black mold. When black mold spores are airborne they can cause respiratory problems and even worse, medial problems down the road. Look for unusual clusters of mold in damp areas and if you find some, immediately call a professional plumber to suggest clean-up and to repair the source of the water leak.
There are many signs of water leakage in the home, caused by leaking or broken pipes, dripping faucets from worn-out washers, cracks in the walls and foundations allowing ground and rain water to seep in, etc. Call a Larry & Sons if you have any signs water damage in your Hanover home.
