We commonly find water damage in the basements we inspect as a water damage restoration company. In our property, we often find ourselves in the awkward position of standing in flooded basements.
Although it is almost certain to happen, there are things one can do to help limit the damage. Owners with a finished basement must have enough insurance perks. Please find out more about water damage insurance in our in-depth guide.
Basement Wall Construction Principles
Because they are dug so deeply into the earth, basements are always at war with the elements, especially water. The foundation’s walls are made of concrete, which is great for its structural integrity but not as well regarding water resistance.
During the construction of a house, the walls are waterproofed. It’s up to you whether the waterproofing membrane is a peel-and-stick variety or a liquid sprayed or rolled onto the wall.
There will only be one chance for the contractor to get this right. It is quite costly to dig up the dirt surrounding the basement foundation walls to reapply or repair the basement waterproofing if it becomes damaged.
Although the waterproofing membrane performs its part of keeping water out of the basement, it does not remove water from the walls. Sump pump systems are installed for this reason.
Basement Sump Pump Setup
Installing drain pipes at the base of the basement’s foundation walls, a sump pit, and a pump constitutes a sump pump system.
After a storm or snow melt, the water level in a basement can rise to dangerous levels, putting pressure on the basement walls. It is done to prevent the walls from being harmed by the weight or pressure of water.
A sump pump system is beneficial because it helps maintain strong foundation walls by eliminating water pressure. One major flaw of the system is that it depends on a single mechanical pump.
Most cases need to be replaced every three to five years. Most householders still needed to learn when they last replaced their pumps. The most certain thing a homeowner can do is install a brand-new sump pump that has been properly sized and installed by a certified plumber.
Water will go back into the basement if the sump pump is not powerful enough to remove the water quickly.
Tied-down Sump Pump
These systems are not worth the money. We don’t endorse them because we have to clean up many flooded basements. Unlike a standard sump pump, these systems usually use batteries to power a smaller pump. They may prove useful in the event of a power outage.
During a heavy storm, your basement will likely be fighting more water than usual, and you’ll need all the pump capacity you can get. Your sump pump battery backup system kicks in when electricity is shut off. It can, however, only pump water using the small pump that came with the battery backup. During an extended power outage, the water pump can’t keep up with the water flow.
Another constraint of the system is that the 12-volt lead acid battery only has so much power. If electricity is turned off for an extended period, water may go back into the basement. You are experiencing this problem because your battery cannot supply enough energy to run the pump.
Sump Pump Backup Generator
Using a backup generator to run the sump pump is the most effective approach to avoid a flooded basement during a severe storm. Small gas-powered generators of around 2500 to 3000 watts should be able to maintain your pump’s power needs in the event of an outage. When the utility company restores power, electricity will be restored.
Basement Dehumidifier
All basements should have a small dehumidifier to keep humidity at bay. Basements are often cooler than other rooms in the house. As a result, they are vulnerable to moisture and mould formation.
Moisture can fall out of the air and infiltrate your building materials when the humidity is high, and the surfaces of your basement walls and floor are cool (drywall, wood, carpet etc.). Excess moisture, organic debris, and a lack of sunlight are ideal breeding conditions for mould when this occurs.
Using a basement dehumidifier
Many basements suffer from high humidity, dampness, and water damage. Basement dehumidifiers are vital for assisting homeowners in dealing with basement moisture concerns.
Many homeowners like the extra space that a basement affords. Moisture may be a major issue in many basements, which is why a basement dehumidifier is vital. A little more room in a house never hurts anyone, whether you use it for entertainment, a play area, storage, or all of the above.
Perhaps it didn’t, though. It’s helpful for homeowners to know the potential benefits of a basement and the potential dangers that could arise from having one.
A basement, by definition, violates several building principles designed to keep dwellings and their occupants safe. When water flows, specifically precipitation, it takes the path of least resistance to its destination.
Because a basement is simply a fancy hole in the ground, it is ideal for excess rainfall to settle. As a result, builders have devised complicated drainage and sump pump systems that remove water from your basement and pump it away from the structure.
Flooring In The Basement
A wide variety of flooring options are available in a basement, and we’ve seen them all. However, many of the products we suggest need to be more suitable for underground spaces. In the basement, avoid using wooden flooring. Hardwoods, engineered hardwood, wood-based laminate, and other wood-based goods are all included.
Water damage and wood do not mix. Basements are extremely vulnerable to water damage. Therefore, putting wood products in a basement makes no sense.
In comparison to other flooring options, carpet is less expensive. However, when water is damaged, carpets and pads absorb a significant amount of water. If a homeowner’s basement floods and they have carpet laid, they must usually call a water restoration contractor.
Waterproof Flooring
Concrete and ceramic or stone-based tiles are the only waterproof flooring options. These products can be removed if built on a concrete slab when a basement floods. Vinyl laminate plank or waterproof floors must be removed when the basement floods. As a result, these floorings are water-resistant rather than waterproof.
When contemplating basement flooring options, they are appropriate products to install. However, if your basement floods, you should remove them.
Finishing The Basement
Typical materials for a finished basement include R-19 batt insulation installed in the wood studs, paper-faced drywall, wood baseboards, carpet and pad flooring, and a ceiling.
A full bathroom includes a sink, toilet, and shower but can also incorporate other amenities. A kitchenette or a full-fledged kitchen with a working sink, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator. Rooms with many couches and a big screen TV for family movie night.
Your basement may flood anytime, making all of these options necessary. When the basement floods, homeowners should verify with their insurance company that their sump pump backup or drain backup limits will cover anything in the basement.
Bathrooms In The Basement
If you plan on installing a fully functional bathroom in your basement, you will need a trash pump system. This garbage disposal pump transports “sewage water” from your sinks and toilets to the sewer system.
Like a sump pump, the trash pump is powered by electricity and has a limited lifespan. Water and sewage will be harmed if the trash pump fails or backs up. The usual operating procedure for sewage cleanup is to remove all porous items that come into contact with the water. Drywall, baseboards, insulation, and carpeting are all included.
Until it breaks, most people who have a restroom in the basement don’t even realise they have a trash pump. Unlike the sump pump, these pumps don’t consume as much energy. However, they must be monitored to ensure their lives are changed.
Reztor Restorations would be honoured to assist you with any home or business fire restoration services.
