Solutions to Prevent Basement Flooding by Triad Basement Waterproofing

It’s raining pretty hard, so you decide to check on the basement. Discovering water pouring in from the window wells or slowing rising from the floor is shocking, but don’t panic. Prompt action is the best way to mitigate property damage and salvage your belongings. Here’s how to address basement flooding and prevent future water intrusion.

What Causes Basement Flooding?

Basements can flood for several reasons. Common causes include:

• Heavy rainfall: When intense rain over-saturates the soil around your home, the excess water may flow into your basement, especially if your property has poor drainage.
• Faulty sump pump: A sump pump is your first line of defense against basement flooding. If the pump fails due to a power outage, mechanical failure, or improper maintenance, water can quickly rise.
• Poor drainage: Clogged or improperly installed gutters and downspouts can cause water to spill over and collect near your basement, leading to floods. Soil that slopes toward your foundation rather than away from it is also an issue.
• Leaks: Cracked basement walls and floors allow rising groundwater to seep in. These leaks can form due to hydrostatic pressure from the soil outside your basement, especially after heavy rains or snow melts.
• Sewer backup: During heavy rainfall, municipal sewer systems can become overwhelmed, causing water to back up through the sewer lines. This can lead to sewage and water flowing into your basement through drains and toilets, posing serious health risks.

What to Do If Your Basement Has Flooded

Act promptly to minimize the damage from a flooded basement. Here’s what to do if your basement floods:

• Cut the power: To eliminate electrical hazards, turn off the power to the basement from your home’s main electrical panel. If you can’t access the panel safely or it’s located in the basement, call an electrician or your utility company for assistance.
• Identify where the water is coming from and stop it: If the flooding stems from a burst pipe, turn off your home’s main water supply. If the water is entering through foundation cracks, temporary sandbagging and waterproof taping may help.
• Take proper safety precautions: Wear rubber boots and gloves to safeguard against contaminated water. Remember, floodwater can contain harmful bacteria, chemicals, or sewage, so calling a professional for flooded basement cleanup is wise.
• Pump water from the basement: A sump pump can pump out large volumes of water. Direct standing water to the sump pit using a push broom, and the pump will do the rest. If you don’t have a sump pump, rent a wet-dry shop vac or pool pump. Direct the water into a drain, not your yard, where it will only further saturate the soil.
• Remove wet items: Take wet carpets, furniture, and boxes to a well-ventilated area to dry out. Sorting through these items quickly is important; some belongings may be salvageable, while others might need to be discarded due to water damage or mold growth.
• Air out and dry the basement: Good ventilation is the key to drying out a flooded basement. Use fans and dehumidifiers to circulate air and remove moisture. Only open windows if it’s dry outside to avoid introducing more humidity.
• Clean, sanitize, and deodorize: After the basement is dry, thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces to prevent mold. Clean nonporous surfaces with water and detergent, and sanitize with bleach to kill lingering bacteria. Porous materials may need to be professionally cleaned or discarded.

Prevent Future Basement Flooding

One instance of basement flooding is one time too many. Here’s how to fortify your basement against future water threats:

• Test your sump pump: Check the pump before the rainy season starts by pouring water into the sump pit. The pump should activate, pump out water, and turn off automatically. Consider a battery backup to ensure your sump pump works during power outages.
• Clean your gutters and downspouts: Clear leaves and debris from the gutters every spring and fall. Then, extend downspouts at least three feet away from your home to prevent water from pooling around the foundation.
• Install window well covers: Window wells can collect rainwater and snow, which then seep into your basement. Clear, domed window well covers allow light to enter while keeping out water, leaves, and debris.
• Invest in basement waterproofing: Waterproofing your basement reduces the risk of flooding. Interior waterproofing involves applying sealants, installing a drain tile system, and using a dehumidifier. Exterior waterproofing may include grading the soil, applying waterproof coatings or membranes to exterior walls, and installing pumps or French drains.

Contact Triad Basement Waterproofing in Gaithersburg, MD

At Triad Basement Waterproofing, we know nothing is more stressful than a flooded basement. Our local, family-owned business offers state-of-the-art, cost-effective solutions to keep your basement dry and safe. With over 35 years of experience, our licensed, bonded, and insured professionals ensure top-quality service with a personal touch. Plus, we stand by our work with industry-leading warranties for your peace of mind. Contact us at (301) 532-7903 for a free basement flooding repair or waterproofing estimate in Gaithersburg, MD.

Are your concrete surfaces looking old, worn or dirty? Whether you have concrete surfaces indoors or outdoors that are in need of refreshing, the look of dull concrete can affect the overall aesthetics of any home and irritate homeowners to no end. Many people will decide to rip out the concrete and have it completely redone from start to finish, or they will buy concrete mix and try to pour it on top of the old surface. The first option of starting fresh is not a bad idea, but it is completely unnecessary. The second option of pouring new concrete on top of old concrete is a very bad one. This doesn’t work as well as you would expect it to, because concrete does not contain bonding agents and it will not adhere to the surface beneath it. This results in crumbling and an even bigger headache for the homeowner. This is where concrete resurfacing comes in. What is concrete resurfacing? Simply put it’s a thin cement based overlay with special bonding agents that is poured over existing concrete. Here’s a quick guide that will fill you in on all the benefits of concrete resurfacing.

1. It’s Economical & Doesn’t Break Your Bank Account
In comparison to other solutions that fix worn out and cracked concrete, resurfacing is very cost efficient. The overall cost can be up to three times less than ripping up and replacingold concrete. You save money on the cost of materials and labor while still achieving the look of a brand new surface. Concrete resurfacing can also be used to repair old surfaces as well as hide damage, so you get more for your money. Whether you need a garage floor, basement floor, patio, deck or pool coated, concrete resurfacing saves you time, money and it leaves your surface looking brand new!

2. It’s Easy to Apply & Saves Time
Resurfacing products are self-leveling, which means that there isn’t an extensive amount of work necessary to create a smooth and level surface. The main thing that needs to be done is to make sure that the resurfacing product is spread around the entire surface. Instead of spending time and money on trying to repair cracked concrete or ripping out an old surface and having it re-poured consider concrete resurfacing, which upgrades the look and hides any prior imperfections or cracks.

3. It Allows for Different Designs & Colors for more Aesthetically Pleasing Finishes
Do you want a marble floor without paying the price of actual marble? Or maybe you prefer sandstone, brick, granite, or a specific color? The beauty of concrete resurfacing is that it can be tinted with special colorants or stamped with patterns or finishes. This allows you to customize your concrete floors and achieve the design and ambiance you’re specifically looking for without paying the price of the expensive materials.

4. Increases Resilience to Future Wear & Tear
The materials used in concrete resurfacing are very durable and some can even be stain resistant. Triad’s heavy-duty epoxy-based systems not only upgrade the look of the floor you are resurfacing, but they also increase resiliency to stains, tire marks and hide minor imperfections. One of the best things about concrete resurfacing is that your new surface has the potential to last much longer than your existing concrete surface did.

5. It Can Increase the Value of Your Home
The benefits of concrete resurfacing go above and beyond the basic idea of upgrading a floor. It becomes an investment for the home, because it fixes cracked, damaged and worn out floors to make them look brand new while adding a customized design aspect, which in turn increases the value of the home. Concrete resurfacing is also often sealed and has the potential to last longer since it protects from daily wear and tear. You can even add non-slip coatings to your new floor so that it is safe to walk on regardless of how wet it gets.

If you are considering fixing or replacing your concrete floors don’t rush into any final decisions before thoroughly researching all your options. Maybe tearing up your old concrete really is the best option, but chances are that concrete resurfacing will be able to repair and completely renovate your surfaces efficiently at a lower price. Triad Waterproofing offers a variety of colors and concrete coatings to choose from for your resurfacing needs and we also offer waterproofing for a completely dry and warm home. Contact us for a free estimate or for more information and check out our website to familiarize yourself with our other services!