Common Causes of Basement Water Damage
Unfortunately, water damage is just one of those things that every homeowner will have to deal with. However, knowing how common it is doesn’t negate how challenging it is to resolve. This is why many homeowners hire a professional for basement water removal services.
Below, we cover the most common causes of basement water damage so you can prevent it. We also discuss what to expect during your basement water removal appointment.
With the help of a professional, your home will be back to normal in no time. Here’s what you need to know.
What Causes Water Damage in the Basement?
Water damage has several causes. When it comes to your basement, the three most common causes are floods, burst pipes, and overflow. Here’s a breakdown of each cause:
Floods
Floods can happen at a moment’s notice. As such, you might not always have time to prepare. When floods occur, they will saturate everything at the lowest level. For homeowners, this means your basement.
Because of how severe the damage to your basement will be, hiring a company to handle basement water removal is not just recommended…it’s necessary. During this removal process, your tech will use buckets and a wet-dry vacuum to clear out the water.
Burst Pipes
Burst pipes are another common cause of basement water damage. Plumbing pipes are located all throughout your home, mainly behind your walls. If one of these pipes bursts due to freezing temperatures or a clog, they can do significant damage.
Because of their location behind the walls, you may not always realize your pipes have sprung a leak until the water damage is already severe. If these pipes are exposed, that water is seeping right into your basement!
Though they aren’t pipes, your water heater and sump pump fall into this category as well. If these break down due to wear and tear or damage, you’ll have a lot of water to clean up.
It’s always a good idea to check the health of these appliances as often as you can to avoid a leak. And if a leak does happen, you also need to know who to call.
Overflowing Water
Another common but less-discussed cause of water damage in the basement is the result of overflow. Your home’s gutter system is designed to catch falling rain and move it away from the house.
If your gutters are clogged, this movement isn’t possible. Instead, the rainwater it collects will spill over the edge of your gutter and straight into your basement.
Though this isn’t significant enough to cause a ton of damage like a flood, it’s still going to cause damage. Worse, because the damage is typically minor, it’s a lot easier to miss. This means you’ll likely encounter mold growth as well. It’s also likely that the mold growth will be out of control by the time you find it.
If left untreated, mold will cause structural issues in your basement. This includes eating through drywall and floorboards. It will also lead to allergy symptoms that make it hard to breathe and live comfortably.
The good news is that you can help avoid this by getting your gutters cleaned out once or twice a year.
What to Expect at Your Professional Basement Water Removal Appointment
The first thing your technician will do is assess the damage. This is so they can determine what tools and equipment they need.
Next, they will remove the water. This is done in the manner described above: with either buckets or a wet-dry vacuum. Once the water is removed, the drying and disinfecting process begins.
Your tech will use the proper cleaning solutions to disinfect everything that can be salvaged. If items can’t be salvaged, they’ll be packed up and discarded properly. They will then use a dehumidifier to help grab excess moisture from the air while the affected area is drying out.
Depending on the severity of the water damage, drying your home may take several days or a few weeks. This is why your tech assesses the damage first. They will give you an honest estimate of what you can expect so you can make arrangements, if necessary.
Call PNW Restoration for All Your Basement Water Removal Needs
Sure, water damage in your basement is common. But it’s not fun. If your home suffered from water damage in the basement, you need to call for help. The pros at PNW Restoration have years of experience providing the very best basement water removal services.
We have worked with water damages of all severity levels. We will work tirelessly to get your home back to its normal condition. If you’re ready to make a basement water removal appointment, give us a call. We’re here to make a daunting job – like basement water removal – feel less overwhelming.
