Basement Flooded? Here's What a Basement Waterproofing Company Would Do First

First things first, a flooded basement needs more than water removal.

Whether you've experienced a flood, water intrusion, or a leak, if your basement is flooded, there are several steps involved to protect your home from moisture. Moisture will become a serious concern because it leads to mold, wood rot, and even structural damage if not resolved. 

Step 1: Remove the Water

The first step after discovering your basement has flooded is to pump out the water and begin the drying process. If you're unable to do this step yourself, there are specialized water damage restoration companies that offer this service you should call. 

While they'll help you get the water cleaned up, these types of companies typically don't protect your basement from future water incidents.

What's important to know is where the water got in, if the water impacted your foundation, if the air quality is OK, and how you can protect the value of your home for the long term.

Step 2: Address the Water and Moisture Problem at the Source

The second step after your basement floods is to call a basement waterproofing and foundation repair company.

Alford Foundation & Crawl Space Repair completed work on a basement in Letart, WV, after water intrusion left it moldy with sticky doors and unlevel floors. The homeowner had already worked with a water remediation company to remove the water and remediate the mold. But they wanted to address the future state of the home and get rid of those annoying sticky doors and sagging floors that caused a trip hazard! 

That's where we came in. 

A basement waterproofing company with expertise in foundation repair will address moisture at the source rather than only treating its symptoms. 

For the Letart, WV home, we installed proper drainage along the interior perimeter to catch any intruding water before it could reach the basement floor. We covered the foundation walls in the CleanSpace vapor barrier, a highly durable antimicrobial liner that protects the entire basement from moisture and water seepage. 

Step 3: Control the Basement Humidity Level

Again, one of the big misconceptions that we hear is that removing the standing water will solve the moisture problem. It won't. Even after the water is gone, you may see mold, rot, or experience smelly odors in your basement! And the humidity levels after an incident can be to blame.

In the Letart home, we installed a TripleSafe sump pump to collect and safely remove groundwater from the home. Water would be carried away from the foundation, a structural protection you couldn't get by only removing the water. 

We placed a SaniDry Sedona, an extremely powerful dehumidifier, to continuously remove moisture from the air and regulate the humidity level. This would also make for a more energy-efficient space.

Step 4: Determine if Structural Damage Should Also Be Tackled

If you ever had any concerns about your foundation or structural elements like the joists, beams, floors upstairs, or framing, now would be a good time to have them inspected.

Why? Any moisture released in the air can eventually accelerate your basement's structural decay. 

In the Letart home, the moisture problem had gotten so bad that they were noticing sticky doors and unlevel floors above- not in the basement, but in the upper levels of the home. We placed SmartJacks to fully lift and permanently stabilize the floor system. 

Step 5: Make Sure You Have an Expert Team on Standby

If you've experienced a flood, water intrusion, or water leak of any kind, Alford is ready to help. We'll start by providing you with a free inspection to see what we find, where, and options for how we'll handle it. You're not alone!