Preventing Basement Water Damage
With winter coming into affect the risk of pipes breaking and basement flooding increase. A moist or wet basement is a problem that can quickly escalate into costly repairs. Inspections from time to time to see if there is a water problem in your basement could save you money and a substantial amount of damage. One precaution is to check if walls are moist. This is usually an indication that there is a plumping problem. If so, check for water stains and follow the trail to locate the source. With any type of leak it will have be fixed immediately to lessen chances of further damage. Another problem with pipes is sweating. Sweaty pipes can cause mold corrosion and rot if not properly taken care of. Insulating pipes can help reduce the condensation.
Besides checking pipes to help reduce the chances of your basement flooding regularly inspect heating and air conditioning systems. Check to see if the drain pan is removed of dust and debris to insure that it is flowing freely. Inspect filters to see if they need to be replaced. Furthermore inspect other ventilation systems such as water heater, exhaust fan, dryer fans, etc to insure they are working properly too. Most home defense against water is a sump pump. A sump pump is a system that keeps unwanted water out by routing it away from your home. When inspecting the sump pump make sure that it isn’t clogged or frozen so water can be directed away. To verify the sump pump is running fill the sump pump pit with water and see that it is pumping water out. Other precaution are to make sure that in the discharge line the air hole is clean and that it is also not emitting off strange noises. If the sump pump is battery powered replace battery when needed.
Over time the foundation of your home shifts and settles causing gaps and cracks. Even with the best water defenses it’s still not waterproof. Make sure there isn’t an excessive amount of water around your home which can lead to moisture in your basement or leaks. A way to prevent flooding is making sure your gutters systems are working and aren’t clogged. Position the gutter so the water is diverted away from the house by pointing the gutter down a slope towards a sidewalk or a sewage drain.
If you happen to experience flooding or any sort of water damage to your home there is equipment that can assist you in resolving small water problems. For an example a mop or a wet vacuum not to be confused with a regular vacuum this machine is made for the purpose of a wet environment. The wet vacuum is useful with extracting small amounts of water, but not so effective with serious flooding. With any flooding whether it’s a little puddle or a couple feet of water you should contact professionals to assist you in resolving the matter to insure that the job is done correctly and that it doesn’t occur again in the future.
