Basement Water Removal

Anytime you have water or flooding in a basement there are always a few immediate concerns. The first is obviously contents (if the basement is furnished) and the second should be microbial growth. When you have water in the basement the best course of action is to always remove as much standing water as possible, as quickly as possible. The next thing we always tend to focus on is the relative humidity and temperature while tracking the migration of the water in wet building materials. The idea is to increase the rate of evaporation while pulling moisture out of structural materials and then capturing the evaporated moisture via dehumidification and re-condensing it so that the water can be pumped out. Sounds like a mouth full huh?It is important to hire a professional who understands how to manipulate the indoor environment so that way the above mentioned process can be carried out quickly and efficiently. The faster the area is stabilized and controlled, the less of a risk for microbial growth. There are a lot of methods to achieve a dry basement after a flood or water damage. We sometimes introduce heat to speed up the process of evaporation and mix it with airflow from a specialized air mover (fan). We can also dry things in place to reduce the cost of reconstruction however that relies heavily on the Category of water. Once everything is professionally dried though, there are a few things a homeowner can do to keep it that way. We typically recommend purchasing a dehumidifier that is rated for the entire space and can handle continued operation. Something with a humidistat is preferable to limit the amount of time you need to maintain the unit. The nicer dehumidifiers all have auto-pump out to further reduce the time spent maintaining or dealing with it once it is installed. Another tip is to ensure the walls are waterproofed and the drains are free and clear from debris. Any water that seeps in from hydrostatic pressure, you want to make sure you can get rid of it without dealing with clogged drains or pumps. Lastly, we always recommend installing a sensor to alert you of increased relative humidity and/or temperature. If you monitor the space on a regular basis you greatly reduce the chances of a major loss. 

For additional information on preventing water intrusions or drying out a wet basement, give us a call! 844-MY-BULLDOG 

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