Of all the areas in your home, basements are the most susceptible to water damage. This is often blamed on the fact that any flooding in the home will eventually trickle down to your basement. However, another reason basements are susceptible to water damage is that they have higher humidity levels. High indoor humidity can have significant consequences over time like mold, mildew, and structural damage.
Water Damage Restoration Columbus
Here are five ways our water damage restoration professionals at Restoration 1 of Columbus recommend keeping excess moisture out of your basement.
Clean Gutters And Downspouts
Gutters are placed on a home to catch and channel water to the downspouts, so the water is directed away from the house. Make sure your home has gutters & downspouts. Install more downspouts to help move the water away from the foundation or lengthen the ones you have to about 4 to 6 ft. Lengthening will help ensure the water is moved far away from your home’s foundation. You will also need to regularly clean your gutters and downspouts for them to work properly. Every few months, clean out all of the leaves and debris in them by hand.
Install A Sump Pump
A sump pump is your best friend for responding to a flood in your basement. Sump pumps (if turned on) automatically activate in the case of a flood and immediately begin pumping water out of your basement. Overall, there is no better investment for mitigating water damage in your basement than a sump pump.
Check Your Foundation
While many people assume the concrete foundation of their home is protected against water damage, weakened foundations are actually a common way for water damage to find its way into your home. Over time, even tiny cracks and weak spots in your foundation can provide an entry point for water to seep its way down into your basement and cause water damage. Along with having your foundation inspected for such damage, it’s also important to prevent water from pooling around your foundation in the first place. That is where the gutters and downspouts in your home come into play.
Insulate Pipes
You may notice that the pipes in your basement are wet and dripping due to condensation. This is a common problem that can, fortunately, be fixed pretty easily. All you need to do is buy some foam installation for a few dollars and then install it by wrapping it around your pipes with high condensation levels.
Use A Dehumidifier
Finally, a great tool for combating excess humidity in your basement is a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are a simple investment, but they significantly reduce the likelihood of mold damage. It’s recommended you set your dehumidifier to keep your basement at humidity levels no higher than 55%.
In sum, basements will always be a problematic area for water damage, but you can mitigate some of this by keeping excess moisture out of your basement. We at Restoration 1 of Columbus are here to help you deal with any water damage disasters you may have.
