Water Damage Restoration Chicago 773-885-8528

Preventing Water Damage In The Basement

More than a few of us grew up in houses with basements that flooded regularly, usually the result of a drain just outside the basement door that was always clogging up. If there were a large number of trees around the home, it would be very difficult to keep the drain open, and the basement water headache would never fully go away.

The CleanUP Guys understand the basic problems that are inherent to basement water damage, most notably mold, and are prepared and equipped to handle even the most severe water and mold damage issues that may occur as a result.

If you have a basement, be of good cheer; 98% of basements will suffer some form of water damage at some point in their existence. Basements are low lying areas by their very nature, and as such are prime targets for water to accumulate.  Water loves to run downhill….so you do the math, which in this case means 2 + 2 = a flooded basement.

So how do you defend your home against this problem? We believe that you start early on, making your best defense a good offense, and taking action before things start getting damp.

A waterproof basement is probably not realistic, but you can make regular inspections, looking for cracks in your foundation wall, broken window seals, leaky pipes...anything that might let water in. On the outside, check and make sure all drainage vents, gutters, and downspouts are unclogged and working properly, and check to see if your surrounding landscape is sloped away from your home (as it should be). Improper landscape slope can send water flowing the wrong way very quickly.

You can also protect what is in your basement. Basements tend to be storage spaces, and as such, a lot of valuable family possessions can be kept there. Find some way of elevating them, keeping them off the floor, either by using shelving or blocks. Remember it only takes an inch or so of water to cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damages.

The addition of a sump pump or sump pit can go a long way towards preventing water damage, draining water out away from your home before it has the chance to accumulate and become a problem.

If all else fails, contact your local, IICRC certified waterdamage restoration company, the professional service providers at The CleanUP Guys. We are available 24/7 and able to serve all of your repair needs.