Beware Basement Flooding
Though many Canadians have experienced a particularly long and tough winter, summer is right around the corner, and a lot of Canadians may soon start thinking about taking trips or vacations. Getting out of the house and away from the daily grind can certainly be refreshing—unless, of course, you arrive back home to find something catastrophic has happened in your home, such as a major plumbing problem or even a flooded basement.
The Dangers of Basement Flooding
Basement flooding is frankly one of the worst things that could happen in your home—one of the most damaging, and one of the costliest to repair. There are basically two primary consequences of a flooded basement—water damage and mold.
Let’s start with the mold. Mold thrives in damp and dark areas—and a flooded basement certainly fits that description. It can seep into carpeting, drywall, wallpaper, and ceiling tiles, and removing it can be extremely costly. More to the point, it can cause major health problems, and it grows quickly, making it something you’ll have to address immediately.
Water damage likely won’t threaten your health like mold does. It might, however, do significant damage to your home. It can erode walls and foundations, it can permanently ruin carpet, and, of course, it leads to further problems with mold, mildew, and rust. Water remediation services are, once again, quite costly, so this is obviously something homeowners should seek to avoid or else address as soon as possible.
Preventing Basement Flooding
The trouble is, if a leak erupts in your basement while you’re on vacation, you may not return home to spot the problem until the damage has been done—so how can homeowners avoid basement flooding in the first place?
Consider:
Locate the main water shutoff valve for your home, and think about simply turning the water off altogether before you leave for a long trip.
Inspect your plumbing on a regular basis, and be attentive to any minor leaks; repair them promptly, before they turn into anything more significant.
Keep your eyes peeled for any moisture or mold issues in your basement, even very minor ones, and call a plumber if you see danger signs.
