What Do I Do If I Find Water or Flooding In My Basement?!
Many homeowners in Michigan, especially here in Southeast Michigan, are all asking themselves the same question right now – "My basement is wet, what do I do now?!"
Unfortunately, many families were forced to throw out furniture and belongings that were ruined by water due to the intense rainfall and extreme flooding we experienced at the end of June. Some areas that were hit hard include Inkster, Garden City, Dearborn, Grosse Ile, Detroit and Grosse Pointe among many others.
This incident made A LOT of homeowners in these cities realize that their basements are not waterproofed, and this problem will keep occurring if left alone. For some, this was the first time. For others, it was the last straw. But nonetheless, it has been a stressful and confusing time for everyone – which is why HomeSpec is here to help.
If you are a homeowner that was affected by the recent flooding and you need answers, you are in the right place!
Most of the people we've talked to had water coming in from the same 3 areas: cracks, rod holes, and the floor/wall joint. Many people also suffered from failing sump pumps, or pumps that couldn't handle the high amounts of water.
The solution for these issues is to waterproof your basement. People who benefit most from waterproofing their basements are:
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Those who live in areas with high water tables or areas that flood often
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Those who store important items in their basement
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Those who have finished basements, or would like to finish their basement
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Anyone who has already dealt with a flooded, wet, or moist basement in any way
In reality, it's always a good idea to have a waterproofed basement because sadly, homes are not built with these systems in place. Even people who had never found water in their basements were dealing with water intrusion after the recent heavy rainfall. By protecting your basement with a waterproofing system, you are protecting your biggest investment (your home). You don't want to lose property value due to a wet basement. So what are your waterproofing options?
{FREE inspection & estimate by HomeSpec BasementFix}
How We Waterproof a Basement/Below-Grade Space:
Below Floor Drain (also known as French Drain)
This drain installs around the perimeter of the basement. It sits on top of the foundation footer, just below the floor. This waterproofs your basement by collecting water from the walls, under the floor slab, and from the floor/wall joint before it leaks inside. The water is then deposited into the sump pump, which will then funnel the water far from the home. This is the #1 way contractors waterproof homes from the interior.
Sump Pump
If anything, all home would benefit from at least having a sump pump. The sump pump is what expels water away from your basement. Our TripleSafe sumps have THREE pumps for triple the protection. It has the power to discharge 2,000 gallons of water every hour. And with the battery back up pump, not even a power outage can stop the pump from doing its job. A sump pump and a drainage system can both be installed year-round as well.
Exterior Waterproofing
This is another great way to prevent water intrusion into your basement. Not many people opt-in to this method since it requires all of the basement walls to be excavated. This process means the concrete, landscaping, and anything else near the foundation will have to be removed – which is why most homeowners prefer interior waterproofing.
Crack & Rod Hole Repairs
This is the most common way water sneaks into basements. Cracks and rod holes can hide behind wall panels, or even under stairs. They are sneaky, but HomeSpec can seal them permanently. We fill the cracks and rod holes, and reinforce them to prevent them from worsening or leaking again. We use an innovative polyurethane sealant that can flex with the natural movement of your walls without drying out or cracking.
Dehumidifier
These are high-power, high-efficiency dehumidifiers. They maintain your basements relative humidity at a healthy 55%, and continuously condition the air. If you experience moisture, condensation, mold or musty smells in your home, you are someone that could benefit from a dehumidifier. If the humidity is too high, this will cause condensation, and then mold, and then rot. These issues cause damage to not only your home's structure, but also your health.
Vapor Barrier & Wall Panels
This is a antimicrobial wall covering made of inorganic materials. It installs over the basement walls to prevent water vapor and moisture from entering the basement, but instead directs the water down into the drainage system. The inorganic material means mold will not grow on the plastic or damage it. We also have many other wall panels/coverings including insulated panels, waterproof panels, wall restoration panels, rigid plastic sheeting, and more.
Waterproof Flooring
All of our basement floor tiles/planks are made of inorganic materials to prevent damage from moisture, mold, mildew, rot or odors. They can be easily installed and removed if needed. We offer faux wood flooring, floor tiles, and carpet tiles that match any style. With waterproof flooring, your basement can be protected while still looking great which is why our customers love them so much! These are great options for those who have finished basements or want to finish their basement, but experience water issues often. Why spend so much money finishing your basement if water will ruin your investment anyways?
