Dealing With a Wet Basement
March 23, 2010
So how does one deal with a wet basement? Well the first thing is finding out the cause of the leakage. Is it some old plumbing that needs to be fixed, or does one simply make a habit of hanging wet clothes in the basement? Once the problem is identified then steps can be taken to fix it, after drying out the basement of course. Depending on the amount of water it may be necessary to use a pump to remove the majority of it. The remainder can then be mopped out and fans used to air dry any remaining moisture. If one isn’t sure that they can do this then consider hiring a contractor. It might cost a bit but it’s better than having black mold sprouting everywhere. Once that’s done it’s time to pay attention to the following:
• Why are clothes being dried inside? In some cases people may not have an option but clothes really should be hung up outside. Keeping them inside merely increases the humidity of the entire basement. Not only does that leave clothes not smelling their best but it also means that one has a basement full of water vapor with nowhere to go.
• If one absolutely has no choice and must dry clothes in the basement, consider getting a dehumidifier. This will remove the excess water vapor hanging around in the air. Don’t think of it as added expense. Think of it as something that’s saving the money one would have to spend to replace the drywall should black mold take hold.
• If there is a major problem with groundwater getting in, don’t just rely on a quick fix. It may seem the cheapest option, but it won’t last and one will just have to keep doing the same thing over and over again. It is better to consult a water damage contractor and determine if anything permanent can be done.
A wet basement can lead to all sorts of problems. At best one can expect the entire home to eventually have that musky, reeking odor. At worst one can expect to have to do a lot of costly repairs to maintain the structural integrity of the home. The best way of dealing with a wet basement is taking all possible steps in order to prevent it from happening in the first place. Things like putting in French drains may seem costly and intrusive but it will save a lot of time and effort in the long run.
steps to protect your home prior to a natural disaster
March 8, 2010
There are very few places in the world which are not affected by some form of natural disaster or the other. Many times it’s difficult to tell when one is going to occur and, without some level of forewarning, there is only so much that one can do. However, given an area’s history, it might be possible to predict what types of natural disasters are most likely and therefore take the appropriate steps to guard one’s home against any damage.
If one knows that there is a particular season during which natural disasters are more prevalent, e.g., hurricanes, then one should ensure that all repairs to the home should be done before this period. Hire a reliable contractor in order to ensure that all building codes are upheld. Storm shutters are a must over windows and doors in areas which are prone to high winds. Hurricane straps are also a good idea as this will help to keep the roof right where it is instead of being ripped off the home.
Having a stockpile of drinking water and canned goods isn’t just a good idea. It’s a necessity if one lives in an area that is hit by tornadoes, hurricanes or other natural disasters. Remember that, given the severity of what has happened, it may be difficult to leave the house or locate supplies for a few days. First aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and blankets should also be on standby. Check the emergency kit often to ensure that nothing needs to be changed.
Many people still don’t see the point of having flood insurance. If one lives in an area which is not prone to flooding then one might be able to get away with it. However, in recent years places which have rarely experienced any flooding before have been hard hit. Flooding can cause extensive damage to one’s home and, even if one has taken all the precautionary measure, no one is to say when a water pipe might burst or sewage system might back up because of heavy rains.
A smart homeowner doesn’t wait until a natural disaster has struck to then think about all of the things that they should have done. Home repairs can be costly and it’s best to try to keep them down to a minimum while at the same time ensuring the safety of one’s family and one’s belongings. As far as possible, try to determine what natural disasters are likely to affect one’s area and take the suitable steps.
