When storms roll in and the rain puddles up outside your house, it can sometimes trickle into your basement causing water damage, mold and mildew in your home. Or maybe one of your pipes sprung a leak while on vacation (or in your brand new house you just moved into) and now you've got a swimming pool in your basement. While this might not be a problem for you right now, learn how to prevent flooding in your basement with these tips.
What to do if you're already flooded
Technically, a flooded basement has six inches or more of standing water. While there might not be that much water in your basement, you should still get rid of the water before any damage occurs.
A flooded basement usually stems from general flooding conditions outside of the home or in the neighborhood. If your basement floor has some moisture or a few puddles, that is being caused by seepage.
Seepage occurs when there are small cracks in the basement concrete walls or foundation or by leaks in an older home's brick or stone foundation.
- If you're basement is flooded with more than six inches of standing water, you'll first need to make sure that there are no electric wires under the water level and be extra careful with electric devices in wet basements. You need to disconnect the main electrical switch or call your local fire department to do it for you. If you're in doubt about the safety of your basement, stay out of it!
- The next step is get your basement dry as soon as possible. Use a wet-dry vacuum to get the water out, then run a de-humidifier or your air conditioner to get rid of any moisture in the air. The faster you can dry the area, the less likely mold will form. This step will take up to two weeks, so take your time and do it properly.
- If there is drywall in your basement, you'll need to remove and replace the portions that are wet. Make cuts into the drywall a few inches above the water line and dispose of the damaged areas. This will also allow any trapped moisture from behind the drywall to escape.
- If there is mold, purchase a fungicide at the home store and spray the solution directly on the affected areas, following the label's directions, to kill the mold. These products, unlike bleach, will soak into the wood and drywall and get to the roots of the mold to kill it completely. After the area is completely dry, you can cover it with a mold encapsulating paint to seal the mold and prevent it from growing further.
- If there is extensive mold, hire a professional and certified mold remediation company to remove the mold and clean up your basement. The EPA standards state that if mold is plainly visible, there is no need for it to be tested, but it is important to have the air tested AFTER the remediation to ensure that it was done properly. Be sure to hire an independent company to perform the air test.
- Once all the mold is removed, you can replace the drywall.
How to avoid basement flooding
Avoiding the hassle of having your basement flood with preventative measures is your best option. Try these tips to keep water out of your basement.
- One of the easiest ways a homeowner can avoid water in the basement is to make sure that any downspouts and gutters are in good condition, free of debris and leaves and drain at least 6-feet to 12-feet away from the house. At the very least, try your best to redirect the water away from the house so it can't accumulate near basement windows or your foundation.
- Running a de-humidifier year-round in your basement can help keep the air dry and moisture and mold at bay.
- If your basement windows are below-grade, cover the window wells with covers that fasten securely to the home's foundation. Clear acrylic covers will allow light to enter while keeping out rain and leaves.
- A sump pump could be installed in the lowest point of your basement where water may collect. Just make sure the hose carrying the pumped water leads away from the house and there is no debris in the sump pump well.
- If your basement walls have cracks, have them sealed by a professional. Water can easily seep into the basement through the cracks which could lead to problems.
If your new home has a basement with some water issues, waterproofing the basement ahead of time can save time in the long run. Try one or two of these tips or call a professional to take care of any issues for you.