As the winter snow melts and the spring showers arrive, one of the most unfortunate consequences homeowners often have to deal with is a flooded basement.
There are few things more devastating than finding water has entered a property. At this time of year, it’s very common for water to seep into homes and businesses, primarily through basement window wells or, in the worst-case scenario, through the foundations.
Basements are likely to experience flooding during the winter and early spring months for various reasons. One of the primary causes is a rapid melt of snow and ice or an unusually high amount of rainfall.
The second biggest cause of basement flooding is when the ground is frozen after a large amount of snowfall. This prevents water from seeping into the soil, so when it rains, the water has nowhere to go except to flow towards and into low-lying spaces, such as basements.
This is why after heavy snowfall, it’s vital to be proactive. Allowing snow to sit in close proximity to a property, especially if the grading and drainage are insufficient, can be a recipe for disaster.
And once a basement is flooded, it can quickly get out of control. That’s why dealing with it as quickly as possible is important. If not, the consequence could be a lot of water damage. And the more time that passes, the more expensive this may prove to be to repair.
What’s more, let’s not forget that the most significant water damage is often caused in the first 24 hours. Serious water damage can threaten a building’s structural integrity, which will not only be very expensive to fix but will also get worse the longer it’s left.
Typical damage caused by a basement flood
The amount of damage caused by a snow melt depends on two things: how much water was able to make its way into the basement, and how long the water remained there untreated.
Awareness of water damage is the first step to fixing the problem; it’s still vital to determine how severe the damage is.
The most commonly water-damaged parts of any basement are the basement walls, wall framing, flooring and foundation.
In addition to these structural issues, water intrusion into a basement can cause significant problems with mold or mildew growth. This can make the air in a property unsafe, leading to various respiratory problems for a building’s occupants that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
What to do when a basement is flooded
The first thing we recommend doing if you’re experiencing a basement flood is to call for professional help.
Even if the damage seems minor, fast action and professional equipment are required to correctly carry out any water damage restoration job. Not doing so can result in extensive damage to a property’s structure and contents, and a lasting problem with harmful mold.
When dealing with the cleanup of a flooded basement, water damage restoration experts will generally follow this set procedure:
- First, it’s important to identify the source of the water intrusion. In the case of melting snow, this is generally a leak in a basement wall, floor or window.
- Isolate and seal up any leaks.
- Remove any standing water using vacuums and pumps, taking extra measures if it’s contaminated.
- Assess the extent of damage to paneling, drywall, flooring or subflooring. If it’s substantial and cannot be dried out quickly, these, along with carpets and upholstery, must be removed to avoid mold growth.
- Install industrial fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the remaining affected areas as quickly as possible, preferably within days.
- Clean, sanitize and deodorize affected areas to kill any bacteria or fungi that have begun germinating.
- Finally, once given the green light and when everything is completely dry, the restorer will take care of any necessary repairs to walls, floors, ceilings or the foundation. Experts in restoration will also be able to take steps to prevent flooding from happening again in the future.
Professional flood cleanup in Spanish Fork UT
When it comes to property, one should never cut corners. With years of experience working with homeowners and property managers, the experts at Prime Restoration know exactly how to approach basement floods.
The trained and experienced team has access to specialized equipment and has the know-how to draw up and execute a targeted plan to minimize both damage and eventual cost.
With qualified technicians on standby 24/7, help can quickly be on the scene of a flood in Spanish Fork, Springville, Payson, Provo, Orem and Salem, allowing work to restore a basement to its pre-flood condition to start in an efficient and timely manner.
Call (801) 509-6899 now for more information. There’s no reason to fear the effects of the heavy snowfall across Utah this winter!
