A basement flood is a difficult situation to manage. You have a ton of items stored in your basement, all of which may need to be moved, dried, and stored while waiting for the basement to be returned to normal so that it can be used again. But what’s involved in wet basement repair? How can Rochester residents get their basements back into regular use so that they can get life back to normal?
After the Rain: How to Repair Your Wet Basement
When you’ve had a basement flood, you’ll need to start by shutting off any electrical circuits that could have been compromised in the flood for safety reasons. After that, you’ll spend some time removing items that have gotten wet and allowing them to dry for at least 48 hours, though anything that is still very damp after 48 hours may need to be thrown out, unless you’re willing to take significant time restoring it. This is because mold spores typically start within 24-48 hours.
Once the basement has been emptied of damp items, you’ll have to remove any damp drywall or wall board that has been compromised, along with flooring. This is to prevent mold from starting in the basement. After this material is removed, start drying the basement out by pumping out any remaining water, opening doors and windows, and running heaters, fans, and dehumidifiers to help dry out the space.
However, the most important steps take place after this point. If the basement flood was caused by rain or flooding, you’ll want to take steps to prevent it from happening again. This may require the installation of waterproofing sealants to the foundation walls, as well as perimeter drains and a sump pump to remove any excess water that does flow into your basement. Once these steps have been completed, then you can start to make repairs to your basement’s finishes.
When you take steps to waterproof your basement and set it up to have excess water removed in the future, you’re creating an insurance policy that will help prevent this level of damage in the future. If you need wet basement repair services for your Rochester home or getting set up to mitigate excess water in the future, Storm Basement Waterproofing is here to help. Contact us today to discover our wide range of services.
