Preventing Water Damage In Your Basement

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

The best way to prevent water damage in your basement is to regularly assess the area. Take time to look around, especially after wet weather, and check for signs of any problem. Damage to the basement and foundation areas of a home are extremely important to repair as soon as possible in order for you to avoid larger structural and property damages in the future, which can end up costing you far more in the long run. Here at SERVPRO of Huron and East Seneca Counties, we have compiled a list of preventative water damage best practices.

Here are some things to look for as you take steps to prevent water damage in your basement:

• In a finished basement, wallpaper or paint might be peeling away or appear discolored. Check for bowing in the walls, which can be a result of long-term seepage. When the basement is unfinished, you will want to look for a white, salty substance known as “efflorescence,” which appears on foundational walls; this will tell you how high water has risen. If the basement flooring is swollen or removed from the subfloor, that is another indicator of water damages. If any of these signs appear, take the steps to find the source. 
• Cracking can occur in the foundation and/or the floor, and it is often due to water damage. Look for cracks in window seals and door panes, as well. 
• Odors are an indicator that there is an excess water problem. Oftentimes, it’s mold or mildew that causes those smells, which means you have water damage on your hands.
• Keep drainage areas well-maintained in expectation of summer storms. Directing water away from your buildings will stop any problems before they even start!

In order to prevent water damage to your basement, it’s vital that you ensure your building has proper drainage to keep water from standing around your foundation and seeping in to create the issues mentioned above. 

If you store appliances that involve water in your basement, make sure they are kept in good repair to avoid floods. 

If you do experience water damage, it’s time to call the professionals who are experienced and trained to remediate and repair areas that have extensive damage from excess water due to leaky pipes, flooding, etc. 

Our team here at SERVPRO of Huron/East Seneca Counties is the team to call for cleanups after water damage or fire damage, whether small or large. We are also mold prevention and remediation experts, as well.