Basements in today's society take on many faces. There are completely finished basements complete with recessed lighting and tiled or carpeted flooring. There are homes that have wine cellars with expensive wines hidden in a small portion of the basement while another basement may have a small art studio under great lighting fixtures that flood the quiet and serene area with the lighting required for an artist. Basements take on the personality of the home owner. Parents with children often create a great play area that is filled with toys. Basements often create a great space for work out rooms and at home gym equipment. Perhaps one of the most popular ways to handle the extra space in a basement is to stuff it full of extra belongings that you are not yet ready to part with.
Because most basements are so very important to homeowners and they have so many special belongings stored and used in their basements the concern of water damage is real. The best way to handle basement moisture is to take the necessary steps to prevent it. Check the pipes regularly. Have a sump pump installed. Use a dehumidifier to draw the excess moisture out of the air to prevent moisture from creating mold and mildew. And speak with your home owner's policy to obtain coverage in case of water damage in the basement.
A wet basement should be handled immediately. Flooding can happen by a broken pipe on the washing machine or by excess water from a storm. Timing is everything when it comes to stopping the damage that can take place to belongings that are used or stored in the basement as well as to stop damage such as warping and mold to doors and door framing, carpeting and floor boards.
The first thing to do when you see flooding is to make a couple of calls for professional help. Call your home owners insurance and place a claim and call a professional to come out and help you remove the water and stop additional damage. The second thing to do is take pictures for the insurance company. Then while you wait for the return calls begin salvaging as many items as possible.
Move wet items to areas where they can dry quickly and easily such as on a sunny deck if possible. Find a way to remove as much water as possible. One great way to remove the excess water is to purchase a sump pump and attach it to a hose which you run out the basement window and away form the home. This sump pump can pump the water out of the basement. Use a wet dry vacuum to suck up remaining water. The carpeting may need to be ripped up and thrown away. Mold is a real issue so a professional will be able to help stop mold and mildew that can cause sickness and allergy symptoms.
Article by William Gold. He writes about basement waterproofing. If you need Carpet Cleaning and Upholstery Cleaning due to water damage visit 24HrCarpetCleaning.com they have the best rates and service on the web.
Tags: home, water damage, carpet cleaning, basement, upholstery cleaning, water proofing