Water in your basement could damage your walls, flooring, furnishings, and more. Basement water damage can swiftly create problems like mold and mildew growth.
As per your home insurance policy, it’s mandatory to get rid of the water in your basement, resolve the fundamental water issues, and take action to keep your basement dry. Damage that isn’t addressed could lead to a denied claim from your home insurance provider.
Typical Reasons for Basement Water
There are many reasons for water getting into your basement. The reasons can differ based on various factors:
Plumbing leaks – Dripping pipes or broken water fixtures in the basement could cause water buildup. This could happen because of bad connections, old plumbing, and broken pipes.
Sump pump failure – A sump pump is a gadget set up in the basement to eliminate water that gathers in a sump pit. If the sump pump doesn’t work correctly or is flooded with too much water, it could result in a flooded basement.
Foundation cracks – Foundation cracks in the floors or walls could let water get into the basement. Structural problems could create these cracks.
Poor drainage – If the soil surrounding your house doesn’t tilt away from the foundation or if the downspouts and gutters aren’t aimed away from the home, water could gather around the foundation and leak into the basement.
Improperly sealed doors and windows – Rainwater or melting snow can get into the basement due to improperly sealed doors and windows.
What to Do if Your Basement is Wet
If your basement is flooded with water, try to determine the source of the water. Is your basement always flooding or is it a one-time event? If there is a water leakage issue, it’s likely to keep occurring if not handled immediately. If the water is due to faulty plumbing, contact an experienced plumber for assistance.
Take Safety Measures
If your basement contains a lot of electronics, electrical shock is an urgent concern. Moreover, when gas appliances are present, if water extinguishes the pilot light, gas could also leak, creating a possibly dangerous situation.
If any of these dangers are in your wet basement, contact a professional ASAP and wait for them to come before doing anything:
- Your basement smells of gas
- Stagnant water is more than two inches
- The water is drifting close to gas appliances
If it’s safe for you to get to the electrical panel, shut off all the electricity to the basement to stop any electrical shocks or fires.
Remove Items that are Susceptible to Water Damage
Remove any items sitting in the basement that could be water-damaged or develop mold growth. Vulnerable items include:
- Any wood furnishings
- Any fabric items
- Any paper items
- Any leather furniture
Find a Basement Water Restoration Company Near You
There are restoration companies in Denver to assist you if you need help handling water damage in your basement. However, only Pure Restore has proven water damage restoration solutions to guarantee a dry basement.
