Water Damage Basement. Tips From Professionals

If you have a basement, there is always a chance that a flood could ruin it and cause severe water damage. Water damage can be a pain to deal with, and many people don’t even know where to start when they find their basement flooded. It’s always best to make repairs as soon as possible to reduce the severity of the damage. If you aren’t comfortable making the repairs yourself, you can hire a professional team to do it for you.

Water damage basement

If your basement has water damage, the first step is to remove the water. Empty the basement, and check for damage. Open windows and doors to improve the ventilation and start drying the area. Use a professional dehumidifier to speed up the process. When dry, it is essential is to check for mold.

This blog post will explain how you can spot water damage in your basement and how to fix a flooded basement. I will also give some tips on how to get water out of your basement without a sump pump and how to get rid of mold on walls after a flood.

Water Damage Basement

If you do decide to make your own repairs to a basement that has water damage, you will need to make sure you have the proper tools and methods for making the repairs. Understanding the severity of the damage is important and knowing how to make the repairs last is essential. If you are ready to work on your water-damaged basement, be sure to keep some of the tips from professionals in mind as you go about your repairs. Remember to seal or waterproof your basement when possible to avoid future floods and water damage.

Signs of Basement Water Damage

If you aren’t sure if there has been water damage in your basement, there are some signs to watch for. Sometimes you can see the water standing in the basement, but other times it drains before you become aware of it. If you are wondering if your basement could have water damage, consider some of these signs.

● Cracked Foundation

When water leaks or floods your basement, it puts pressure on the foundation and can cause it to crack. You may notice these cracks on the inside or outside of the foundation. Some cracks may start small and grow larger as more moisture is absorbed into the foundation or as the home’s structure.

● Bad Odors

Sometimes you don’t see water damage but may smell it. Basements tend to smell musty in most cases, but if you smell old water or get a pungent and damp smell, it could mean your basement is holding moisture or has some standing water. It could also mean some of the structure has absorbed water, and the wood is starting to rot.

● Mold Growth

Any time there is water or moisture in a basement, there is always a chance for mold growth. Mold loves to grow in dark, damp places, and basements are the perfect environment for it. Mold growth can appear on concrete, wood, carpet, and even on the walls of the basement. It’s best to let a professional remove any mold in your home. It can easily spread to other areas if it is not handled and removed properly.

● Peeling Paint

If your basement happens to have paint or wallpaper, it may peel if there is water damage. A lot of moisture in the basement is enough to cause paper and paint to bubble and peel, and when water is standing, it’s much more likely to break down and change its texture.

What To Do If Your Basement Has Water Damage?

If your basement has water damage, it’s important to make repairs as soon as possible. The longer you leave the problem untouched, the worse it will become. Use a sump pump to remove any standing water and dry the basement completely before you start repairs.

How Do You Fix A Flooded Basement?

If you notice your basement is flooded, you should quickly fix it. Follow these steps to do so correctly:

● Step 1: Remove The Water

Use a sump pump or another method to remove all the water from the basement. Allow the basement to dry completely. This could take several days, depending on the severity of the flood.

● Step 2: Inspect For Damage

You will need to check your basement to find out the severity of the damage. You will want to check flooring, walls, and any furniture or personal items that may be there.

● Step 3: Empty The Basement

Remove everything from the basement so you have a clear area to work. It would be best if you also took this time to clean any damaged items during the flood.

● Step 4: Check For Mold Growth

Check for signs of mold growth. If you see mold, you will need to either remove it yourself or have a professional mold remediation expert come to your home and do it for you. Do not underestimate mold. If left untreated, it can further extend to other parts of your house. And worse, inside walls. If you are unsure what to do, I recommend asking a professional for help.

● Step 5: Repairs

Check your flooring and walls. If either show signs of structural damage, you will need to fix this. And, if required, replacement parts. This process will vary depending on the type of flooring and walls you have.

● Step 6: Seal Your Basement

If you want to make sure you don’t have to make the same repairs again in the future, you will want to seal or waterproof your basement. This will protect it from floods and water damage in the future.

How Do You Fix Water Damaged Basement?

If you have a basement with water damage, there are a few different ways you can fix it. The priority is to remove all the water and dry it. Once you have the basement dry, you will be able to see the severity of the damage and then determine the best method of repairs.

Do not forget to check if it is possible to make changes to your basement to ensure it will not be flooded again. I recommend asking a professional for help if you are unsure what to do.

How Do You Deodorize A Flooded Basement?

The best way to deodorant a basement after it has flooded is first to ensure it is completely dry. Any mold or fungus growing in the basement will give it a bad smell. Any water that is absorbed into the walls or floor will also allow smells to linger. Drying the basement and then adding baking soda or a room deodorizer will help to improve the scent and reduce unpleasant odors.

Good ventilation is key for a good drying process. To speed up the drying, you can use a dehumidifier. I recommend renting commercial dehumidifiers instead of residential ones, as they can remove a lot more water per hour. A dehumidifier pulls in the moisture from the air and dries it out to release dry air back into the room. When used with a fan, this can be highly effective at drying out the drywall quickly.

How To Get Water Out Of Basement Without A Sump Pump

If you have a flooded basement, the goal should be to remove the water as soon as possible. The longer the water stays in the basement, the more severe your water damage will be. If you don’t have a sump pump to remove the water, try one of these methods instead:

● Wet Vac

A wet vac sucks up water the way a vacuum sucks up dirt and debris. It fills the holding tank with water and will need to be emptied from time to time. You can use the wet vac and empty it as many times as needed to remove all the water from your basement.

● Towels

Towels can also be used to absorb the water in a basement. This is possible if there is not a lot of deep water. You can use the towels to clean up the water and then ring them out in a bucket to sort of dry them. Repeat the process until all the water has been removed.

● Buckets

Scooping the water out with buckets is also an option. If you have a bucket, you will need to dip and scoop it through the water. You can then move the water to a drain or even throw it out the door.

● Hose

You may be able to siphon the water out of the basement through a hose. You will want to run the opposite end of the hose downward and into a drain or outside away from your home. This will even work with long hoses. But the longer the hose, the harder it will be to get it started.

How Do You Get Rid Of Mold On Walls After Flood?

If you notice mold growing on your walls after a flood or leak, you should have it removed as soon as possible. If you are unsure how to do this, it is always best to hire a mold remediation expert to remove the mold for you. This will ensure it is removed properly and won’t spread to other areas in the home. If you want to remove the mold yourself, follow these steps:

● Step 1: Remove Everything

The best way to get a good look at your basement and decide how much mold is there is to remove everything from the basement. You can then inspect the floors and walls to see if there is mold growth. If any of your furniture or personal items have mold, you can also remove them.

● Step 2: Cleaning The Basement

You will need to give the basement a deep clean. You can use bleach or a commercial mold remover product. Spray it on any areas of the walls or floor that have mold growth and allow it to soak into the hard surface.

● Step 3: Dry Thoroughly

Once you have finished cleaning and using your mold detergent, you will want to allow the area to dry completely. This could take several hours, depending on how much of the area was covered with mold and treated. If you still see signs of mold growth, you will need to repeat the process.

I recommend using a dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. Use a commercial dehumidifier, as they can remove a lot more water per hour than a residential machine.

A dehumidifier pulls in the moisture from the air and dries it out to release dry air back into the room. When used with a fan, this can be highly effective at drying out the drywall quickly.

Water Leaking Into Basement After Heavy Rain

If you notice there is water leaking into your basement after heavy rain, it means your basement is not sealed or has a major leak. This will continue to happen every time there is heavy rain or bad weather. You will need to seal your basement to prevent future leaks.
If you do not have experience with this, I recommend asking a professional for help on how to do this.