Prevent Basement Floods from Draining your Checkbook

Having a basement is great. It’s the one area in the house where your hobbies and imagination can run free. Everything from a wine cellar to a wood shop to a home entertainment center can be made to fit and be used in a basement. And even though the kids may sometimes think that it’s a place where creepy monsters live, there is an even scarier sight that no family wants to see: a flooded basement!

If you live in a home with a basement, you know that it is a nightmare to have it flood. Besides the obvious problem of having several inches or even feet of standing water or rotting sewage in your home, the cost and clean up is just as much of a drench.

Here are some prevention tips on staying high and dry in your basement and what to do if your floor looks more like a swimming pool.

• Water is dripping or running through the basement walls or windows. This is generally a sign that your property, or your neighbor’s property has poor drainage. Causes can be improper grading, a clogged gutter, or a sump pump that may need to be replaced or repaired. If you ignore the problem, it can get much worse. Think of it like a ship with a little crack. Eventually, if that problem isn’t addressed your basement could be sunk.
• The toilet—and its sewage pipes—were intended for very few things to go down them. Do not flush inanimate objects down the toilet. This includes paper towels, hygiene products and diaper wipes. Also, toilets are not a last resting place for Goldfish.
• Never pour thick liquids like grease, paint or glue down drains or sinks. Because of their thick composition, they can clog drains and sewage pipes. Eventually a pipe can burst if it’s clogged with these materials.
  

If it does flood

The damage is done, now what to do?

You can save yourself a lot of extra agony and money if you quickly follow these tips during and after the flooding.

• Call a plumber. Unless you are extremely confident in your plumbing skills, you are better off calling a professional. The cost of having a plumber service your home might be expensive, but not nearly as pricy as the mess you might make trying to impersonate one.
• Call your insurance company. Take pictures of your basement’s damage for your files and make additional copies for your agent. You should also document all cleanup procedures and costs.
• Shovel mud and sewage from the basement as soon as all water is drained. Scrub down and disinfect all areas. The more quickly you get the gunk out, the less chance there is for bacteria and other hazardous materials to make your basement their new home.
• Throw out any food that has come in contact with the flood. If frozen food or other perishable items were in your basement during the flood, consider them contaminated. Don’t take any chances—get rid of it.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to keep your wallet and wits afloat during one of life’s soggier moments.

 Courtesy of : The Kiper Team Offices:(636) 898-123, HOTLINE: (314) 729-1010 CLICK HERE to email us.