Basement Flooded? Better call a professional

Published by: Elizabeth Gormley (8/11/09)
Many people don’t care for the rain, but it makes some homeowners downright panicked.  Do the terms “sump pump” and “wet vac” give you chills like you’re trapped in a damp dungeon reminiscent of, say, a flooded basement?  A downpour is a healthy thing when it’s confined to the great outdoors, but excessive rain can seep into a basement and cause anything from dampened flooring to a lake-like environment.  Before you don your rubber overalls, realize that after the rain there is only one way to minimize what could be astronomical damage—calling a professional. 

Time is what matters at this point.  Upon arrival, a professional will know precisely the steps to take.  More important, he will have the tools and machines to stop the bleeding.  As houses settle, cracks and fractures accumulate in their foundations.  Without warning you may wind up with a flooded basement after years without problems.  If you’re caught off guard, you probably don’t own a portable sump pump, wet vacuum, or wet shop vacuum.  While these items can be rented or bought, time is ticking.  The longer the water sits, the worse the damage.  Realize that a sump pump will need an outlet for the water.  A flooded basement will likely not have drains available.  A professional will have industrial hoses to transport the water out as quickly as possible.

A flooded basement can be very dangerous, as your heating and electrical systems may have sustained water damage.  Again, a trained professional should handle these risky situations.  Water and electricity do not mix and serious injuries have been known to happen in flooded basements.  Also, when a heating system has sustained water damage, it is likely that your homeowner’s insurance policy requires it to be cleaned by a professional before ever operating it again.  If the flood occurs during the cold months, you’ll need your heat.  Hotel bills, not to mention the cost of the actual inundation, will outweigh what you should do first and foremost with a flooded basement: call a professional.

After the flood, you’ll be driven to find the source of the problem.  It could be that storm gutters are clogged or perforated, so that water runs down the perimeter of the house instead of draining at the corners of the roof.  Maybe the water table is located high in the ground where you live, and the rain seeps in from below.  This is situation is more common when the home has settled, as cracks accumulate in the foundation.  Regardless, what caused the flooding is a matter for another professional.  When the water is sitting, or worse—rising, do not panic.  It’s well worth it to pick up the telephone, as it’s the fastest and most effective solution.

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Press for: Basement Systems
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