Is it normal for my basement to flood?

Unfortunately, basements are prone to flooding. They are built at the lowest level of the building, and sometimes the surrounding groundwater level is higher than the basement floor. The water level in a sewer system may also rise above the basement floor level at times, such as during a sewage backup. When water levels rise above floor level, gravity will try to push the water into your basement. If there is an opening — say, a crack in the foundation walls — you may end up with a wet basement.

Can you fix a basement that floods?

You can fix basement flooding with the help of restoration and remediation specialists. You may be able to seal the source of a leak with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement, but full restoration of a flooded basement usually requires professional expertise.

Why is my basement all of a sudden flooding?

Sudden basement flooding may be caused by sewer backups, damaged pipes, or broken water heaters. Even heavy rain can seep through windows and foundation cracks. Identifying the source of flooding is important for stopping damage. If you are unable to spot the cause of basement flooding, an assessment and basement flooding repairs can be done by a trained professional.

What should I do if my basement is flooded?

If you have a basement flood, it’s best to act quickly to minimize the damage. Follow these steps: Call your insurance company and report the flood. Take photos and videos to send them. Call the utility company to shut off your power. Wear protective gear like boots, gloves, and a mask when entering standing water. Determine the source of the water in your basement, if possible. Failed sump pumps are a good place to start. Other possible sources include heavy rain, sewer backups, or cracked pipes. If the flood is only a few inches, you can use a wet/dry vacuum, pool pumps, or sump pumps to remove the excess water. Severe floods should be handled by professionals. Call Paul Davis Akron for water extraction, restoration and cleaning, and insurance claim assistance.

How do I dry my basement after a flood?

After removing all standing water, you can dry your basement by opening windows, running fans for air circulation, and using a dehumidifier. However, drying services are best left to professionals who can locate and get rid of dangerous mold from basement flooding as soon as possible.

Is basement flooding a big deal?

Yes. When basements flood, it can damage flooring, walls, carpeting, furniture, and personal possessions. If the excess water is not removed promptly and completely, it might lead to mold. Standing water can be a safety hazard if it is in contact with exposed cords or electrical outlets. It may contain harmful sewage and bacteria as well.

Basement Floods: What to Do, Cleanup Tips, & Services

Standing water in your basement can cause large amounts of damage, mold, and mildew. Not only do basement floods cause external damage, but they can be very intense, stressful, and anxiety-riddled events for homeowners.

If you are experiencing basement flooding and don’t know where to turn, you should call Paul Davis Akron Today! Our highly skilled and experienced technicians will get to work immediately in removing water and restoring your basement to its pre-flood glory.

Need help restoring your flooded basement? Leave it to the experts at Paul Davis.

Consequences and Risks of a Flooded Basement

Not only can the standing water in your basement be messy and damaging, but it can also be very dangerous, and it is important to get it taken care of as soon as possible. Some of the biggest risks of your basement flooding include:

Exposure to harmful bacteria
Electrical shock due to exposed electrical wiring submerged in flood water
Development of mold due to excess water

Flooded Basement Causes

Whatever it was that caused your flooding, our technicians can handle it. Our flood technicians will be able to stop the flooding, repair whatever caused it in the first place, and restore your flooded basement to its original state to prevent future flooding. Leaks are often the result of pressure generated by water in the ground bordering your foundation. Some common causes of basement flooding can include the following:

Broken pipes.
Failed sump pumps.
Sewage or storm backup.
Weeping tile failure.
Overland flooding is caused by extreme weather.
Heavy rains or snowmelt can cause soil saturation creating intense hydrostatic pressure, resulting in water seepage through the basement floor, walls, drainage system, or foundation.
Loose soil surrounding your foundation may absorb lots of water. When it expands, it puts pressure on the foundation laterally, resulting in leaks and foundation damage.
Improperly installed windows provide a pathway for water.
Leaky water heater.

If you find any cracks in your basement walls or floors or water backup coming from your floor drain, it’s a telltale sign that you could be at risk of flooding. It’s especially concerning if you happen to find any water pooling on the floor or leak stains on the walls. A basement flood can lead to foot-deep water and result in severe structural damage if left untreated.

6 Tips for Handling a Basement Flood

What to Do When Your Basement Floods

In the event that your basement floods, you may be able to drain the flooded area with a backup sump pump, wet vacuum, or even a pool pump. There are some steps you should take to ensure the safety of everyone in the home.

Contact your local city water department to check sewage mainline conditions.
Shut off any power to the area and do not enter it until you are certain that it is off.
Wear protective gear at all times when entering the area as floodwater can have dangerous contaminants, particularly if it’s coming from a sewer drain.
Call Paul Davis Akron and have our certified technicians handle the rest

Emergency Services

Here at Paul Davis Akron, we offer 24/7 emergency services so that we can assist you at all times, right when you need us. Our IICRC-certified technicians will assess the cause and extent of the basement flooding and then quickly and efficiently remove any standing water and residual moisture before beginning any necessary restoration and reconstruction.

Basement Flood Restoration

We will work with you and the insurance company from start to finish in order to make sure that your claims are handled correctly and restoration can happen as quickly as possible. Depending on the scale of the flooding basement and water damage, it’s possible to see a full restoration in as little as three days.

Assessment

The first things our technicians will do when they arrive on the scene are determine the source of the flooding and assess the extent of the damage. Whether it’s an issue with your drainage systems causing sewage backup, a burst pipe, or a leaky foundation causing flooding, we’ll pinpoint the origin. Once the cause of the flooding is repaired or stopped, we will figure out the best strategy to remove any standing water.

Mold and Mildew Prevention

Any items that were affected by the flooding will be removed, cleaned, and restored if possible. All affected areas such as basement floors, walls, furniture, carpet, and padding will be dried out as soon as all pooled water has been removed from the basement. Mold and mildew can develop in these areas and be a safety risk in your home.

Full Restoration

At Paul Davis Akron, we use specialized equipment and techniques to get your basement dry, remove any residual moisture and prevent mold and mildew damage. Once all excess moisture is removed from your flooded basement, we can begin any basement flood cleanup, demolition, reconstruction, and repair that is needed to get the basement back to its pre-flood state.

Dealing with an insurance company while worrying about your property and belongings can be a very stressful process. At Paul Davis, we will work with your flood insurance provider to make sure your claims are settled quickly and accurately.

Call Paul Davis in Akron today, and let us be your best friend on your worst day!

How to Prevent Basement Floods

Here are some precautions you can take to prevent basement flooding:

Maintain your sump pump, clogged sump pumps can cause flooding so it’s important to regularly check that they’re running properly
Making sure to seal any cracks in your home’s foundation, including your basement floor and walls
Clean out your gutters, water can pool here and seep into your home
Check the pipes in your home that could allow water in, you should make sure none of them are cracked or broken

FAQs

Is it normal for my basement to flood?

- Unfortunately, basements are prone to flooding. They are built at the lowest level of the building, and sometimes the surrounding groundwater level is higher than the basement floor. The water level in a sewer system may also rise above the basement floor level at times, such as during a sewage backup. When water levels rise above floor level, gravity will try to push the water into your basement. If there is an opening — say, a crack in the foundation walls — you may end up with a wet basement.

Can you fix a basement that floods?

- You can fix basement flooding with the help of restoration and remediation specialists. You may be able to seal the source of a leak with polyurethane caulk or hydraulic cement, but full restoration of a flooded basement usually requires professional expertise.

Why is my basement all of a sudden flooding?

- Sudden basement flooding may be caused by sewer backups, damaged pipes, or broken water heaters. Even heavy rain can seep through windows and foundation cracks. Identifying the source of flooding is important for stopping damage. If you are unable to spot the cause of basement flooding, an assessment and basement flooding repairs can be done by a trained professional.

What should I do if my basement is flooded?

- - If you have a basement flood, it’s best to act quickly to minimize the damage. Follow these steps:
    - Call your insurance company and report the flood. Take photos and videos to send them.
    - Call the utility company to shut off your power.
    - Wear protective gear like boots, gloves, and a mask when entering standing water.
    - Determine the source of the water in your basement, if possible. Failed sump pumps are a good place to start. Other possible sources include heavy rain, sewer backups, or cracked pipes.
    - If the flood is only a few inches, you can use a wet/dry vacuum, pool pumps, or sump pumps to remove the excess water. Severe floods should be handled by professionals.
    - Call Paul Davis Akron for water extraction, restoration and cleaning, and insurance claim assistance.

How do I dry my basement after a flood?

- After removing all standing water, you can dry your basement by opening windows, running fans for air circulation, and using a dehumidifier. However, drying services are best left to professionals who can locate and get rid of dangerous mold from basement flooding as soon as possible.

Is basement flooding a big deal?

- Yes. When basements flood, it can damage flooring, walls, carpeting, furniture, and personal possessions. If the excess water is not removed promptly and completely, it might lead to mold. Standing water can be a safety hazard if it is in contact with exposed cords or electrical outlets. It may contain harmful sewage and bacteria as well.

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