Out of any space in the house, the basement hands down stores the most belongings. So when it floods, it means a great deal of our valuables are at risk of incurring some serious damage. But before we get into cleaning up after a flood, let’s take a look at some of the leading causes of them.
Common Causes There could be any number of reasons for a basement to flood, but most of the time you can chalk it up to a set list of perpetrators. Sometimes, your home may be positioned in such a way that it predisposes it to a heavy amount of rainflow. For example, if your home is located at the bottom of a hill, it’s likely water will collect near its base (instead of away) which could in turn lead to leakage. Another frequent perpetrator is faulty sealing in the flooring and walls. The sealing is meant to serve as a defense against excessive buildup of water, but as time has proven, it doesn’t always work. Another reason could be something as simple as forgetting to close basement windows. To best avert basement flooding, speak with a professional to take maximum preventive measures.
Dangers A flooded basement can be an extremely dangerous threat to your home’s infrastructure and the safety of those living inside it. When you first spot a flood, you should not immediately rush down and inspect it. Why? There are dozens of reasons, most of which pertain to serious health dangers such as the possibility of electric shock, being infected by contaminants, damages from structure damages, and many other conceivable outcomes.
What to Do Without sufficient clean-up, a leaked basement could lead to a number of hazards. After exiting the basement upon recognizing it is flooded, call a professional who specializes in de-flooding them. If you can do so safely, turn off the electricity in your home before expert assistance heads over as a flooded basement runs increases the risk of potential electrocution. Find a service that will pump out the excess water that has collected beneath and above your floor, soaked into your walls, and any other damages incurred. After the water has been removed, take care of your belongings by washing and drying them in whatever ways you can.
Sources: http://www.utilitieskingston.com/wastewater/basementflooding/flooded
