Whether your basement has sustained water damage due to leakage or a flood, the result still causes damage. It can also give rise to other problems, such as mold growth and weakened structural integrity. If your basement is prone to this issue, it’s important to learn how to prevent and control the damage. 

5 Ways to Handle Water Damage in a Basement 

1. Protect the Pipes 

Many basement leaks come from the pipes. Examine them to see whether they have cracks or holes. If you find any, most can be plugged with pipe bonding putty or a similar material. You can also have them insulated with foam to stop condensation from dripping through the walls.  

2. Close Gaps 

The cracks and holes may not be in your pipes but in your walls. Go through your basement and caulk any openings that you find in the walls, doors, and windows. Foundation cracks can be fixed with hydraulic cement. Make sure that you also cover dryer vents with foil tape as an extra measure to help your fans reduce humidity. 

3. Improve Drainage or Pumping 

When water gets into your home, the best ways to get rid of it and prevent water damage are draining or pumping. Install, repair, or unclog your basement’s footing drain, or underground pipe system, as needed.

If you don’t have one, dig a trench and install a curtain or French drain instead. Should that be out of the question, invest in a sump pump, which gathers the water in one low area and then expels it outside or underground. 

4. Waterproof the Walls 

There are waterproof paints that you can use to seal your interior and exterior walls so that water is less likely to find its way through and cause water damage even if there are cracks and leaks.

You can find the paint at most hardware stores. It can be applied like any other type of paint, but use two coats, and fill every nook and hole you see. 

5. Update the Exterior 

If water is entering your home due to gutters that are too old, crooked, or short to perform well, consider calling a roofing contractor to have them repaired, replaced, or elongated.

Additionally, it may help to build up the crown of soil around the foundation so that it keeps water on the surface. Barring that, create mounds or ditches around the foundation to inhibit or redirect the water’s path. 

 
For expert help avoiding or repairing water damage in your basement, contact Hudepohl Restoration. With locations in Louisville, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, they’ll also help with mold removal and remodeling, depending on the extent of the damage your basement has sustained. To schedule their services, call them today at (513) 398-9691 or message them online.