Water in your basement can destroy personal belongings and weaken the very structures that support the home above. Water leaks can cause mold to grow, soak all of your personal possessions, and cause wood rot in supportive structures in the basement. Clearly, it will not be cheap to fix the mess created by basement water. But what is the real cost of basement water damage?
What is the Cause of Basement Water Leakage?
Because they exist below the ground level and oftentimes, below the water table, all basements are prone to flooding. However, there are a few different circumstances that increase the chances of basement flooding.
Excess Rain & Cracks
Long, heavy bouts of rain saturate the soil around your home. When the soil is saturated thoroughly, it can no longer absorb water. Where does the water go now? It travels on the surface of the ground or through crevices in the ground, flowing downward. This can lead to underground water pushing against your foundation or surface water pooling around the concrete. Both surface water and groundwater can seep into the basement through foundation cracks. Heavily saturated soil also swells as it soaks in more water, and this swelling can put pressure on the nearby foundation walls. If the pressure becomes great enough, cracks might even form in the foundation (1).
Sump Pump/Plumbing Failure
Another cause of wet basements is plumbing leaks or sump pump failures. If your plumbing system develops a leak, it can soak the basement in no time. Sump pumps, designed to carry water out of your foundation, can also develop issues that cause leaks to form. If the pipes in either of these systems freeze and expand, they might burst, allowing water to leak out. They might also suffer from cracks due to age (1).
What Does Basement Water Damage Repair Cost?
The cost to repair a flooded basement and basement water damage depends on the extent of the damage and the size of the property. On average, a minor flood of several inches might cost somewhere around $500, while a more severe flood could cost as $7,000-$10,000 or more to fully repair. That price might increase further based on the area of your basement and the extent of the damage. The national average, according to HomeAdvisor, for cleaning up and repairing basement water damage, is $2,447. However, installing new waterproofing systems can add further costs to this number (2).
Another factor that can influence pricing is the amount of time the area was flooded. The longer water sits in your basement, the greater the chance that mold will develop. This raises the repair price even more since any mold must be remediated.
What Can I Do to Lower the Cost?
There are a few steps that you can take to keep the repair costs down and to prevent basement water damage from worsening:
- The first step is to dry out the basement as best you can. This may involve mopping up water, renting a wet vac to get rid of larger puddles, and running a dehumidifier.
- Remove organic items damaged by the flooding, such as towels, bedding, clothes, and upholstery. If they are not dry within 48 hours of the flood, they have probably developed mold. Throw them away.
- If you have a finished basement, check the construction. Wet drywall and insulation should be removed.
- If you have an unfinished basement, check any wooden support structures and look for rust on metal supports. Note any damage that you see.
- Call a basement waterproofing expert like those at Affordable Foundation and Home Repair immediately.
It is also important to note that the kind of flooding and water damage will influence the damage and the cost of repair. There are typically three kinds of basement water, each causing varying levels of damage and health risks:
- Clean Water: This type of water usually enters the home from outside, likely due to heavy rains and foundation cracks. It can also come from taps accidentally left on. Clean water poses no health risks (3).
- Grey Water: Grey water is usually made up of discharge from appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. This water can contain chemical and biological pollutants and exposure may lead to illness (3).
- Black Water: Black water is sewage water or water from major flooding that enters the home. This water can contain any number of chemical or biological pollution substances and is an extreme health risk (3).
No matter what type of water damage there is in your home, invest in a solution from Affordable Foundation and Home Repair Today
How We Can Repair Basement Water Damage
We know the cost of basement water damage and our team works hard to get you the best repairs for your basement. We offer a variety of waterproofing and cleanup techniques to ensure your home is safe and dry:
- Sump Pump Systems
- Exterior Waterproofing Systems
- Interior Waterproofing Systems
- Surface Drainage Systems
- Mold Remediation
- Vapor Barrier Installation
Call us today to learn more about how we can remove water and mold from your home and keep it from coming back. We offer free estimates for basement waterproofing!
Sources
1) https://www.angi.com/articles/causes-and-costs-flooded-basement.htm
2) https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/disaster-recovery/repair-water-damage/
