Do-it-yourself Waterproofing Tips
So what’s next after a heavy rain and your basement is flooded with water? The good news is surface water, wall seepage or back-flow from sewer lines typically causes little to no structural damage to your basement or foundation. The water inside the basement braces the walls against the pressure of outside water and waterlogged soil.
1. Drain water out of a the basement
Wait to drain out basement water until the water level outside the home has decreased and a majority of it is gone. This will prevent the basement walls from pushing in or buckling and prevent the basement floor from heaving. If there is a large amount of water in the basement or if there is no basement drain, you may need to buy or rent a sump pump to get rid of the standing water.
If your electrical panel is located in an area of your home that has been flooded, you will be unable to use an electric sump pump, unless you use a pump driven by a 12-volt auto battery. Stop pumping when the two water levels become equal. Pump the basement water out at the same rate at which the flood waters recede. This will keep the integrity of your foundational structure in-tacked.
2. Clean up and remove debris
Once you have drained the basement water you can being the process of cleaning your basement. Remove the silt and dirt residue from the basement walls with a high-pressure hose. Next, using a shovel collect all the mud and debris off the basement floors to encourage your basement to dry out. If the stains are stubborn and do not come clean with the hose, use a stiff bristle brush and household detergent to clean. Begin scrubbing at the top of the basement wall and work all the way down to the floor. Rinse often with clear water.
Begin drying your basement immediately. This will decrease the ability of mold and mildew growth that can cause an already unfortunate situation to become much worse. If you are sensitive to mold or mildew or see any mold in your basement, be sure to wear a mask or respirator containing an appropriate filter. Open all doors and windows to allow moisture to flow outside the basement. Fans will help to direct the moisture out the open doors and windows. A dehumidifier will help speed up the drying process by removing excess moisture in the air.
3. Install a basement waterproofing system
If you basement floods after a heavy rain or snow melt it is important to install a basement waterproofing system to remedy the issue and prevent future flooding and water seepage.
Do-it-yourself Waterproofing Tips
Mold and mildew can be a very costly basement problem. Here are simple preventative tips for homeowners to take to keep mold and mildew growth out of their basement.
How to prevent:
Concrete basement walls are very susceptible to mold and mildew because they are porous. The combination between porous basement walls and basement moisture are ideal conditions for mold and mildew to grow. Preventing mold growth is a very important issue for many homeowners. Mold can ruin the integrity of your basement foundation and the rest of your home.
One step a homeowner can take against mold is eliminating basement moisture and water. Installing the SquidGee Dry System will dry up your wet, leaky basement. The SquidGee Dry System is not used to cure a mold problem, but can be an effective step in preventing mold and mildew growth in a basement. Another effective step homeowners can do to help defend their home against mold growth is adding natural light. A dark, damp basement is the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. By introducing natural light to the surface of basement walls, mold will have a difficult time growing.
Common causes:
A wet basement is the perfect condition for mold and mildew growth, because it is usually dark, moist and lacks proper ventilation. Addressing common risk factors for mold and mildew growth before the spores have the opportunity to spread through a basement and home is very important for homeowners to maintain the value of their biggest investment – their home.
Excess moisture and humidity
Due to the location of a basement, it is often plagued with excess moisture and humidity. This combination of moisture and humidity in a basement is what fuels mold growth. Placing a dehumidifier in the basement will reduce the water in the air. Also, a fan directing the air out of the basement will also help keep the air dry. Another easy way to reduce the amount of moisture and humidity in a basement is by opening windows for proper air circulation.
Lack of proper ventilation
Without proper ventilation, basement moisture and humidity can increase to deadly levels in a basement. This can cause a water issue and provide the exact conditions mold and mildew need to grow and spread quickly through a home. Airing out your basement regularly will maintain proper ventilation in your basement.
Leaking water pipes
Leaking pipes can be a disaster in a basement. Not only will it help mold grow faster and can waste water quickly, but it can severely damage a everything in your basement. Check your basement water pipes in the spring for any leaks. Contact a plumber immediately if you find a leak to fix it before it becomes a costly headache.
Dark basement
Introducing your basement walls and floor to natural light will help prevent mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew have a very difficult time cultivating when natural light is present.
Poor grading around home’s foundation:
Check outside your home’s foundation for poor grading around the basement. Fill in and slope the soil away from the home. Look for areas that contribute to the collection of water next to your foundation and fill in to prevent pooling water.
Lack of gutter system
If you don’t have gutters or downspouts on the home, it would be a wise investment to add them. If you have gutters, check for and remove any debris clogging the gutters. Also, it’s important that the downspouts around the home extend at least 8 feet from the house to direct roof water away. Service walks that settled and slope back to the house should be adjusted to flow away from your foundation.
Do-it-yourself Waterproofing Tips
1. Begin with ventilating the basement by opening up windows and doors to create air movement. Placing a dehumidifier and fans in your basement will help reduce the moisture levels in the air.
If ventilation does not remove odors…
2. Mop concrete floor and walls with a bleach solution (3/4 cups of household bleach to a gallon of water). Rinse and dry after 5 minutes. Be sure to open windows when applying the bleach solution. This will speed up the drying process and reduce inhalation of the bleach.
3. Place a lump of dry charcoal in an open tin/metal container to absorb odors. These simple steps can help reduce moisture levels and slow the process of mold and mildew growth. It is recommended to wear a mask when removing the musty basement smell.
4. Adding a dehumidifier will help to reduce the moisture in the air, which can help cut down on the musty smell in your basement.
