Flooded Basement?
Our corporate office, located in Frankfort, KY, has seen one of the wettest February’s on record. According to US Climate Data, the average precipitation is 3.07 inches for February but we have seen almost 10.5 inches of rain this past month, beating out the record of 9.84 inches established in 1884. Many near the Ohio River and other waterways are dealing with major flooding but for residents across the area, many are dealing with water in their basement.
Unexpected water in your basement can damage floors, walls, furniture and lead to mold. Sadly, it often stores family memories and keepsakes which can easily be damaged by water. If you find yourself in this position, House Logic provides this encouraging advice, “don’t retreat into a fetal position on your couch and hope for a miracle, no matter how much you want to. You can deal with the soggy disaster.” It goes onto give us four things to do right away; fast action will likely reduce the repair costs. First, they advise, “Don’t ever, ever step into standing basement water.” Doing so could shock or electrocute you. It’s best to turn off the power or call an electrician to be safe.
Second, stop the flow of water. This of course, depends on what the source is; in our case many are dealing with groundwater being the source but water in your basement could also be from broken pipes or sewage back up. If you would like more information on the latter two, check out the article on house logic: https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/basement-attic/basement-flooding/ . Unfortunately, with ground water, mother nature cannot be turned off. House Logic sites a story about a family who had a wet spot in their basement that became a full-on flood, causing thousands of dollars in carpet damage. So, if ground water is the culprit, “get references for a waterproofing pro or a structural engineer because you could have a foundation problem,” suggests the article.
The next step is to find a plumber with a high-capacity pump. The faster the water is pumped out, the better because the longer the water sits, the more long-term the damage and more expense is incurred. Lastly, take photos and videos so you will have them for insurance purposes! The article goes onto suggest some DIY clean up that can be done to save money but also don’t be hesitant to hire a pro if you feel that is needed, after all they are the experts!
Source: https://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/kentucky/united-states/3187
https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/basement-attic/basement-flooding/