Floods in your home can occur for a number of reasons, including burst pipes and extreme weather conditions. When this happens, it's possible that your basement will have endured most of the damage, which can be distressing. If it's not checked over immediately, the flood may cause major issues with your home such as foundation and structural damage. The information listed below provides some tips on what is required when dealing with your basement after a flood.

Mold And Mildew In The Basement

The air quality in your home after a flood can be poor and full of moisture. This may cause mold and mildew to build up at extreme levels, which can create health issues. The mold may cause mycotoxins in the home, which can colonize in your sinuses that can cause breathing complications.

There are certain mold types that don't cause health issues, because they are benign. However, it may be difficult to differentiate between each type. The presence of mold and mildew can occur in damp, dark areas where there is an absence of natural sunlight and a good ventilation system.  For this reason, water buildup in the home should be removed immediately so that your home isn't contaminated with mold and mildew.

Waterproofing The Basement

The benefit of having a waterproofed basement, is that it can minimize flood-related damage. When a waterproofed system is in place, there is sufficient drainage that will protect your home from severe flood damage. There are various methods used to waterproof the basement such as adding surface and subsurface drainage systems and a wall surface waterproofing system.

The purpose of surface drainage is to provide a landscape slope design around the home that will push water away from the house and basement walls. The subsurface drainage system will then collect and remove any excess water surrounding the basement below ground and push it to the sub-level drainage system. These waterproofing systems will further protect your home from water damage.

Insulation Panels In The Basement

Insulation panels will protect your home from moisture buildup and damage that may occur after a flood. These panels are designed to control moisture and redistribute it from the interior of your home. In addition, the panels protect any wood in your basement from corrosion and rot caused by absorbing moisture.

If you are unsure about the type of flood protection needed for your basement, consider consulting with a waterproofing contractor, such as those at John's Waterproofing.