A flooded basement, whether from a storm or plumbing problems, can be an expensive experience. It can be even more costly if you aren’t aware of what the repairs should cost and fall victim to unfair pricing. As with any home repair, there are a wide range of potential issues and an accordingly wide range of potential costs. But before buying tools or calling contractors, it’s a good idea to be aware of some ballpark figures that will help get you started. Read below and discover 6 flooded basement cleanup tips.
If you’re equipped to start the process of water removal as soon as it’s happened, you should probably go ahead and do so. However, at some point you should call a professional, even if only to get their opinion. This is what they do every day and will very likely see things that you don’t.
Where Did It Come From?
When it comes to flooded basement cleanup, the first thing to consider is the source of the water. If your basement has filled with water it’s most likely due to one of two potential sources. The two potentials are stormwater or a plumbing issue. If there has been flooding you may have clean storm water in your basement, or potentially water that has been contaminated by black water. If the flood water has been contaminated by sewage, you definitely need to call a professional as this significantly complicates the issue and you will need to take specific steps to address the black water.
What’s Been Flooded?
Another thing to be aware of is that a flooded basement is the most expensive type of flood that you can see. Water removal costs are far lower for floods inside the house from leaky pipes. The average cost for this type of flood can range and the average cost for removing water from a basement is usually double. This is logical though as working in a basement is significantly more restrictive and it is more difficult to move water out of a place with such limited access.
Home or Work?
There is also a difference in cost depending on whether the flood has occurred at your home or business. The average cost of water removal in a commercial setting is several hundreds of dollars. Again, this is due to the nature of the access to the site and potential obstacles that the contractor may face. If the business stays in operation while the work is being performed or the process needs to be expedited in order to get the business back in operation, the contractor will have higher costs.
Size of the Problem
The next thing to consider is the size of the area that has been flooded. This will be a huge factor in determining how much water removal is going to cost. Important to the cost, aside from the square footage of the area, is also the depth. Generally speaking though, you can expect to spend about a couple dollars per square foot. This is a ballpark figure though and you should not be surprised to see variations from this. There are many things that can drive that number up or down. Obviously the depth of the water is important, but also the type of flooring, access to the area, and type of equipment that will be needed are factors.
Improvements
If you’ve experienced a flood and you’re looking to make alterations to your home in order to prevent future water damage, there are several routes you can take. One way to help is to have a sump pump installed in your basement. A sump pump is placed in a pit in your basement and will pump water out of the pit and out of the house. It’s a reliable way to get water out of your house but installation can be costly, potentially being thousands of dollars.
One effective way to mitigate basement flooded cleanup is to ensure that water doesn’t get into your house from the ground. It is critical to waterproof the foundation and your basement. Residential waterproofing is a relatively cost effective way to seal up your basement walls and prevent water from coming in that way.
Not Quite Done
When you’re recovering from a flood it’s important to remember that removing water is not the only thing that needs to happen. There is much work to be done even after the affected area has been dried out. This includes addressing problems with flooring, walls, electric, plumbing, and anything else that has been affected by the water. The most important reason to hire a professional is because they will be able to advise you about all of the problems water can cause, not just the ones you can see. Dirt Connections Professional’s can provide remedies to avoid and minimize flooded basement cleanup costs.
Contact Us Today!
If you have additional questions on the costs of water removal or any of our residential waterproofing or commercial waterproofing services, please call or contact Dirt Connections online for more information.
