How Do I Get the Water Out of My Mecklenburg County Basement Without a Sump Pump?

4/25/2020 (Permalink)

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Statistics show that a full 98% of basements have a water loss event at least once during their service life in a residence. A finished basement has the potential to have more structural loss due to the installed walls and flooring that may be present.

What Types of Damage Can Happen if Water Cleanup in My Basement Gets Delayed?
When a Mecklenburg County basement needs water cleanup, several steps need to occur for the best outcome. In finished basements, there can be substantial losses from water wicked into sheetrock; tiles can come loose, and glue-down carpet may be ruined. The potential for restoration depends on the construction materials used in the flooring and how long it had exposure to high moisture conditions.

In some cases, the water removal efforts did not occur because the homeowner had no idea there was an issue. A slow leak in a basement that no one goes into very often is a recipe for problems such as mold infestations and damp, musty odors.

Types of Water Loss Situations in Commonly Seen in Basements
When SERVPRO handles water removal and restoration services in local basements, here are some of the typical reasons why it occurred:

    •    Sewage backup in a basement bathroom
    •    Plumbing issue such as a pipe break
    •    Supply line leak to a washing machine
    •    Water heater tank failure
    •    Groundwater or flash flood

Proactive Tactics for Lessening Contents Loss
SERVPRO technicians move items in the basement away from the water. As they do so, they inspect each thing to see if it needs cleaning or has any damage from water exposure. Contents moved may be taken to another area of the home, stored on-site, or taken to a secure location off-site. Anytime possessions get moved, the technicians make a detailed report that includes photos, location, and in the case of a large number of objects, barcodes may get used. Because the placement location within the basement gets noted, when it is time to move items back in, putting them in their precise location is not an issue.

Tactics for Damaged Building Materials

    •    Numerous actions need to occur to mitigation mitigate the loss to walls and floors in a finished basement.
    •    Flood cuts on sheetrock that wicked water
    •    Removal of floating floors or tiles to dry the substrate underneath
    •    A glue-down carpet usually needs replacement and on a case by case basis inspected for reinstallation.
    •    Removal of installed electronics such as mounted flatscreen televisions and soundbars

The Right Equipment Makes the Difference in the Outcome
In the cases where the basement has water due to a malfunctioning sump pump or poor drainage, the technicians can remove the water rapidly by deploying multiple portable pumps. These allow the technicians to move freely and extract the water. It is common for the same spot to get worked on until the passes are "dry" with no apparent moisture coming up. This practice assists in expediting the drying phase of mitigation.

After the extraction equipment, the technologically advanced drying equipment is one of the most significant differences between DIY and professional equipment. Very few basements have good ventilation besides the egress windows and doors to reduce the trapped water vapor. The air movers used by SERVPRO for drying push warm, dry air over wet surfaces at high speeds; it causes embedded moisture to rise. In a basement, this could be problematic without dehumidification equipment at the ready to capture it and port it away.

Special Considerations for Masonry and Concrete
Because of the porous nature of concrete and brick, when the moisture rises to the surface and dries, it can leave a white powdery substance known as efflorescence. It is the residues left behind by salts and minerals in the brick or concrete and gets wiped away easily.

Odor Control Actions Before Repairs
There is no point in making repairs in a basement if residual musty water odors remain behind. SERVPRO techs have different applications to ensure that before any reinstallation or repairs happen, the basement is odor-free. Cleaning the masonry and slab floor with specific cleaning agents assists with removing any stains as well as modernization. If the scent-level requires stronger treatments, thermal fogging works well to neutralize both airborne and embedded odorous particulate that may still be present.

When your home needs water cleanup, you need help sooner rather than later. Call SERVPRO of North Central Mecklenburg County at (704) 596-9700; the certified technicians are available 24/7 to provide compassionate, professional solutions for your home disaster.

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