Is there a musty odour in your basement you cannot seem to put down? Do the walls have a way of developing damp patches or faint white streaks for no apparent reason? You may be left to question whether a puddle by the floor drain is an omen of more to come.
You are not the only one with such concerns. We at United Water Restoration Group of Cincinnati East see our share of basement flooding from homeowners in the Greater Cincinnati on a daily basis. From what we have seen, a flood will usually put up some kind of warning before the water level goes up. It pays to be able to recognise them early and avoid the attendant stress and expense. Give us a ring at (513) 496-3949.
Basement Flooding Is Not as Sudden as You Think
It is easy to think of it as something that happens overnight: one day all is well, the next the floor is under water. Yet most basements are apt to show their hand with subtle hints weeks or months in advance of any major incident.
That gives you an opening to do something about it; the sooner you get on top of it the less involved the repairs will be. Too often though, a homeowner will overlook the early indications simply because they are not sure of what to look for.
Some Early Warnings to Be On the Lookout For
For the most part your basement will let you know if there is trouble ahead. We would advise you to watch for the following:
- An earthy or musty smell that does not dissipate
- Efflorescence, those white chalky marks on the concrete
- Discoloration or dampness of the walls and floors
- What appear to be widening cracks in the foundation
- Paint on the walls that is bubbling or peeling
- Corners or behind stored things where you see mold or mildew
- After a hard rain, water standing at the base of a wall or by the floor drain
Individually none of these need be a cause for alarm but when you have a number of them present, it is telling you that water is making its way in.
Make Note of Your Yard and the Weather
The source of much basement flooding is external. With the seasonal storms and heavy rain Cincinnati sees, your yard is key to protecting the foundation.
Check for any of these red flags:
- Soil grading towards the house
- Downspouts discharging beside the foundation or gutters in overdrive
- Puddles in the yard that are slow to absorb
- Window wells that are clogged or cracked
- A driveway or walkway that has settled and is now channelling water to the home
To ensure the basement remains dry you should see to these matters prior to storm season.
A Word About the Sump Pump
Your sump pump is a prime line of defence provided you have one. Should it give out at an inopportune time you can be looking at a wet basement in hours.
Put it to the test from time to time with some water in the pit and confirm it is draining as it should. Any odd noises or a discharge line that is not clear are worth a closer look. If it is running non stop or grinding, it is probably worn out. Given that power outages and floods go hand in hand, a backup is a good idea.
When You See the Signs
Of course identifying the problem is only part of it. You want to act on it before it gets out of hand.
Should you come across persistent dampness, water intrusion or mould, there is no point in waiting. As a local franchise we are IICRC-certified, fully licensed and insured and serve Amelia, Anderson, Batavia, Blue Ash, Cincinnati, Milford, Mason, Loveland, West Chester and other communities in the region.
We are here around the clock, so it makes no difference if you call on a weekday or a holiday weekend. We will work with your insurance company to simplify the claims process and provide a free estimate. Hearth can arrange financing with prequalification that leaves your credit score intact.
Prevent a few signs from becoming a full blown flood. Contact United Water Restoration Group of Cincinnati East at (513) 496-3949 for some peace of mind.