Rebuilding after your basement floods
Consider yourself lucky if your basement had only minor moisture penetration after the recent heavy rains. Even so, it could be the excuse you need to embark on a total basement makeover.
Whether you choose to call in a professional contractor who specializes in flood restoration or decide to tackle the project yourself, make sure that the project checklist includes these steps that are frequently overlooked, but are essential to protecting your investment.
+ Address dampness issues as the first step in a basement project so that future flooding, mold or musty smells won't ruin your investment. Get a qualified professional to identify the source of any water problems - such as a cracked foundation, inadequate waterproofing or exterior grading that slopes toward the house - and prescribe a fix. Install one or more sump pumps, with one powered by a battery or generator in case of a power failure. Use a dehumidifier and install proper ventilation for adequate air exchange.
+ Check the walls to determine the extent of water penetration that has occurred if your basement is already finished. If dampness has wicked up your finished walls, there's high potential for mold to grow unseen. "It is essential that the wet sheetrock and saturated insulation be removed, the affected area thoroughly dried out and new insulation and sheetrock installed," says Ed Perryman, president of Perryman Consulting & Construction Services in Barrie, Ontario.
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