Flooded
Basement
Flooded basements can cause a lot of discomfort. Water
may leak in from the walls and the floor and also from
ducts and vents that have not been sealed properly. The
water has no way out and can also result in bad odors
and slime. A little effort in maintaining a dry basement
can prevent basements from getting flooded in case of
heavy rainfall or snow melting.
Dos and Don'ts for Flooded Basements
Before entering a flooded basement, ensure that the
electricity and gas ducts and valves have been turned
off. Doors and windows must be opened to get some fresh
air into the basement. Structural damages to walls need
to be checked both from inside and outside. Preventive
measures such as sealing joints between walls and floor
and moving drainage pipes away from low lying areas around
the house can prevent flooded basements.
Steps to handle a flooded basement
The first and foremost step in restoring a flooded basement
to normalcy would be to pump out the water. This can
be done using a gas pump or one that has been connected
to an electric line outside the house. Connecting a pump
to the electric system in the house may prove to be hazardous.
Care is to be taken that the water is not pumped out
too quickly as this may result in the walls being pushed
up leading to structural damages. Pumping out the water
should be carried out over a span of three to four days.
Once the water has been pumped out, the actual cleaning
process begins. People involved in cleaning flooded basements
must wear protective gear such as gloves and boots. Start
by picking out contaminated and wet garbage from the
floor. Check for any debris or mud on the floor. Use
of a shovel is recommended. Floors and walls can be hosed
to clean them up. The basement needs to be dried out
using a heating system or a dehumidifier.
Repairing a flooded basement
A lot of structural damage can occur in a basement after
a flood. Buckled walls, settled or heaved floors, cracked
walls need immediate repair. Cracks on walls require
special equipment as they may develop into serious damage
for the walls at a later stage. A cracked or heaved floor
may need to be completely replaced if it cannot be repaired.
our fixture
section. There
is more specific information in the links at the beginning
of this article. They can guide you where you need
to go.
|
