SAS Basement Waterproofing

As soon as you see water, stop and make sure to shut off any power around the area. Never enter a wet or flooded area while the power to your home is on. If you are not sure how to shut these areas off, call a qualified electrician before entering the basement to make an assessment, and start work.

As soon as you notice water, take action. If it a Michigan spring rain or storm, which is the cause of the flood, wait until it’s passed before getting to work on your basement.

Keep yourself protected. Regardless of the water source, wear boots and gloves and a protective mask if necessary. If you are dealing with basement flooding and not just water, hip or chest waders may also be helpful, if they are available. Take care when walking and moving around the flooded area, it will likely be slippery.

If possible, verify the source of the water. If a burst pipe is the cause of the flood, shut off water to the basement. It’s important, before there is a problem, to know where your home water valve is in your home.

If your Royal Oak basement has a floor drain, check it to ensure it is not clogged and if it is causing the basement flooding. Always Keep your drain open and clear of debris to help drain standing water from your basement.

What do you do if you have water in your basement?

Now that we’ve covered the safety basics. Work to determine that there is no more water is getting into your basement.

You can try several things to dry the area yourself again, if you are unsure call a professional because companies like SAS waterproofing have the proper equipment. The main reason is that if the basement flood is moderate to severe, you will see mold or mildew begin to develop. If you see any mold, it is time to call professional basement waterproofing specialists.

First, begin to remove water from the basement. Several options are depending on the amount of water. You can use a sump pump, a pool pump, a wet/dry vacuum or a mop and bucket. Sump pumps are located in the lowest part of your basement and work by sending water away from the house after a flooding.

Without a sump pump, water can come up through the ground and enter the home causing flooding in not only the basement, but other parts of the house as well. After most of the water has been removed, soak up the remainder with towels or sponges.

Remove damaged items out of the basement to dry in a well-ventilated area. If weather permits, a sunny place may lend itself as the best option. It’s a good idea not to dry items inside the basement, which is already damp. We recommend to give items at least 72 hours to dry. If items are still wet after that time, you may want to consider discarding them as they may begin to develop mold and mildew.

As mentioned before, be careful about electricity. Don’t touch electrical items. Any electrical equipment like televisions, stereos or lamps should not be touched, even with the power disconnected. It is best to let electrical items dry in place and refer to an electrician or qualified repairman to determine the amount of damage.

Remove carpeting as soon as possible. Leaving carpet can prevent the floor underneath from drying if you don’t remove it quickly. Although it can be challenging to dry out such materials adequately, in some cases, you can save the wet carpet. However, it depends on the type of carpet and not very common. Consult a restoration specialist or a carpet cleaning contractor for recommendations.

If the carpet isn’t dried well, it, like other material, can quickly begin growing mold and mildew. When you have your SAS basement, waterproofing specialists evaluate the area; they can recommend the best floor covering for your basement.

Give it time. Your Royal Oak basement may need several days of drying time. Get as much ventilation into the area by opening windows and doors. Place fans around the room for air circulation and to speed drying time. Waterproofing companies like SAS have high powered fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out your basement.

Wash down floors and walls to remove any dirt left behind by the water. Remove any wet or damaged drywall past the flood high point and insulation to prevent the spreading of mold. After the floor and walls are dry, use an anti-mildew spray to discourage mold and mildew from developing. SAS has some good recommendations if you call.

If you have flood insurance, call your home insurance company and report the flood immediately. Confirm your coverage limits, deductible amount, and claim process.

 You might want to ask for help if the water was more than a few inches deep.

If you’ve take steps to dry your basement and if it’s still damp, or if it has flooded in the past and you don’t know what caused your basement flood, it’s a good idea to get a professional opinion. Depending on your specific situation, you might want to consult a plumbing contractor, a basement waterproofing company, a disaster restoration specialist who knows the Ryoal Oak area is helpful.

After your basement is dried, it is highly recommended you waterproof it. There are ways to do this yourself, but when in doubt, call in the pros. Many things can go wrong if you attempt to waterproof your basement on your own. Especially if you don’t have the proper training and experience. You can damage your basement if you are not familiar with how to use the proper tools.

As mentioned, you may think you fixed the problem, yet you haven’t, and water could continue to leak into your basement slowly. This mistake can cause structural damage and mold growth. It can even attract pests into your home.

Consider waterproofing for the health and safety of your family, as well as the value of your home. Waterproofing your basement is an excellent investment for your home too.