Flooded Basement ? We Clean and Dry Basements Fast !
Flooded Basement? It Should Be Dried ASAP There is nothing that is more shocking and disheartening than to return home or to walk into your business to discover that your basement is full of standing water. No matter if it is due to a plumbing problem, a nearby river that has overflowed its banks or a heavy rainstorm that moved through the area, a flooded basement is something that calls for immediate action.
Before you decide to enter your basement to assess the damages be sure to turn off the electricity at the meter as to minimize the risk of electrocution. Check your outside basement walls for possible cave-ins or evidence of any type of structural damage or other hazards. Take care to shut off the gas or fuel valves and open the doors and windows to get some fresh air into the basement.
Now that you have secured the premises, you should call us so that so that we can provide you with the type of help you need. Your family’s safety and health is our first concern and we have years of experience in helping people just like you who need to have their homes or places of business restored as quickly as possible. We have the professional staff that has the know-how and equipment necessary to quickly respond to your disaster, no matter how big or small it may be. We have successfully cleaned up small water damaged homes as well as large businesses and apartment complexes that have suffered some type of water damage in the basement area.
Throughout the years, our response team has helped clean up some of the largest natural disasters in the Canada that caused massive flooding. We work in declared emergency zones right along with government agencies and know the importance of quickly setting a plan of action into place to get your home or business back to normal after water damage. Our staff has the correct equipment to clean and repair damaged areas and items such as your important papers, clothing, appliances and furniture. We use heavy duty water extractors that are mounted on trucks that are capable of removing tens of thousands of gallons of water each hour, industrial grade drying equipment as well as air cleaners and special, high powered fans. It is very important that your basement become dry as soon as possible or you may be looking at mold developing which will inevitably lead to many more problems as well as higher costs.
Flood damage restoration is our business, we have a passion for it and we fully understand the urgency of the matter at hand. Leave the hard work up to us. We give you our word that your problem is our concern and that it will be fully dealt with in a very timely manner.
Water usually comes into the basement from two sources:
Through windows, walls, and floors. If you don’t have adequate drainage or grading around a home, the storm water will seep through those surfaces. Also, flooding may be contributed to malfunctioning sump pumps or drains (foundation or gutter).
Through sewer backups from the basement drain. If you live in an older area, a wet weather for a few days may carouse flooding. A sanitary sewer creates surcharges from inflow and infiltration (sometimes referred to as “I/I”) when ground or rain water enters the sewer system through cracks in home sewer pipes. Among other causes are sewer blockages from grease, tree roots, debris, and deteriorated conditions in a city or home sewer line.
You need to call your city or town’s Sewer Maintenance Operations Center. Though the problem may turn out to be in the private property line (responsibility of the owner), it is best to call the city first to check the public system.
If you live in a city setting, here are most common actions performed by the municipality to remedy the problem of aging sewers:
Inflow and infiltration sewer studies have been conducted in various older neighborhoods;
Capital Improvement Projects are normally identified as a result of the sewer studies. Solutions may include refurbishing older sewers by employing trenchless technology such as cured-in-place-pipe, sewer replacement, or adding additional/larger sewers to increase capacity.
Ongoing capacity studies to determine additional capacity needs. Additional capacity studies will be prioritized pending the acceptance of local authorities.
If your home was built prior to 1963, please check your downspouts to ensure they are not still connected to the sanitary sewer, which is now prohibited by city code. They should drain directly into the street or yard. Roof and foundation/footer drain connections add excess water to the sewer system.
Take a good look at the drainage system at your property. Ensure proper functioning of your sump pump and drainage system around the house. Clean your gutters and monitor them to ensure they are free of debris.
Run water from a hose through your home drains to check for blockages and ensure water is draining properly. Don’t forget to check the grading around your home to make sure water is being directed away from the structures. If you notice “ponding” in the yard, fill those and any other low spots.
To prevent sewer blockages, never dump grease, paint, or other thick liquids into your sinks or drains. Never flush items not suitable for sanitary sewer disposal, like paper towels, diaper wipes, contraceptives, and feminine products.
Make sure to verify with your insurance carrier if you have flood and sewer backup coverage, especially if you have a finished basement. Basement Waterproofing coverage may require a separate rider to your policy.
When you buy or rent a home, ask whether it is located in a flood plain or flood-prone area. Homes at lower elevations and those with depressed driveways are more likely to experience flooding problems.
If a sewer backup occurs to your property, is advised that a proper cleanup procedures from the IICRC must be followed for a safety reasons. Never enter a flooded basement because the risk of electrocution is present. You must wait for the water to recede.
If you have a mature tree in the vicinity of your sewer line or Basement Waterproofing, consider removing the tree to avoid future problems with root invasion.
Water Removal
Our certified and experienced water removal specialists have deep experience extracting water and sewage from commercial and residential properties. Our proven water damage mitigation process includes:
Containing the affected area to prevent the spread of damage
Preserving, and in some cases removing, personal property and building contents for protection
Extracting, and safely disposing of, all standing water and bulk sewage
Mold & Mildew Removal
During the course of a water cleanup, it’s not unusual to encounter mildew, mold, or fungi growth. Mold—especially toxic mold—not only weakens the integrity of structural elements, it poses health risks to inhabitants. Learn more about our mold & mildew removal services.
Structural Drying
After water removal is complete, it’s essential to dry the affected areas immediately to prevent fungi and mold growth, which can both weaken structures and adversely affect the health of occupants. Get more tips about our proper structural drying services.
Reconstruction
Once we’ve effectively dried all water-damaged areas, we are able to begin reconstructing the property. Because some water damage destroys parts of buildings—walls, floors, ceilings—those aspects must be fully reconstructed, rebuilt, repaired, and refinished to restore the property to mint condition. Learn more about our reconstruction services.
Addressing Asbestos
During the reconstruction phase of a water damage mitigation, while the building’s structural elements are being repaired and rebuilt, we may discover asbestos. In that event, our certified asbestos abatement specialists will properly remove, and dispose of, asbestos to protect the health of inhabitants. Learn more about our asbestos abatement services.
No natural disaster causes more damage to Canadian homes and property each year than flooding, costing billions of dollars and leaving priceless family heirlooms or mementos ruined. While a flood can be an emotionally devastating event, you can minimize the impact of flooding, moisture damage, mildew and mold with immediate water extraction. Our IICRC-certified water extraction teams can begin water removal immediately after a heavy rainstorm, broken water line, or flood in order to get the water extraction drying process started as soon as possible. We are available and always ready to help you 24 hours a day.
The sight of knee-high water in a basement or living room represents a major problem but nearly every homeowner will have to deal with water damage and water removal at one point or another. The process of water extraction and fully drying out a home, however, requires more complicated procedures than just pumping out the water and running a fan. Our water removal services begin by determining the entry and shutting off power or water to eliminate the chance of electrical failure. Then, our experts can determine the best water extraction procedures depending on its quantity and location. While a flooded area will still be quite wet to the touch after the water is pumped out, all initial efforts will concentrate on water removal before it can spread, and of course – protecting your property.
Leaky Basements, Wet Carpets And How To Fix Them
Two of the most unpleasant aspects of a house flood are a leaky basement and a wet carpet.
The first is festering, the second is hard to undo. However, there are a few measures that can solve each one!
Water may be the “source of life”, but too much of it is certainly detrimental to any living creature that is not primarily aquatic, and any man-made object that was not specifically designed to handle a lot of it. Most houses and household objects are certainly not the most Leakey Basement Waterproofing things on the planet. But there are a few places and things that hate water more than others. Carpets, cushions and other soft things soak up water readily and take a long time to dry. Many become irreparably damaged and have to be replaced. Basements are a whole different problem. They can’t be replaced and the ones in older houses have a pretty high chance of becoming permanently wet. Another problem with moisture is that it quickly attracts mold. If a wet object can be dried out, a moldy one is nearly always a lost cause. And that musty smell you feel in many basements? That’s mold. Read on for some info on how to beat it.
With a water damaged carpet, the severity of the situation depends on the size of the leak from Basement Waterproofing. Small rugs usually need nothing more than a good dose of sun and wind. Wall-to-wall carpeting poses more of a problem, mostly due to its sheer size.
Another problem is that carpets can absorb water many times their own weight. Wall-to-wall carpets also come with a layer of soft padding underneath. Wet padding goes straight in the trash. The base of the carpeting is the so-called sub-floor.
The sub-floor needs the most attention. All standing water should be mopped up, and the surface dried with special fans and dehumidifiers. A thin layer of anti-bacterial coating will help ward off mold. The top layer can only be re-used if it is mold-free and soaked in clean water.
Back to the subject of basement leak. There are two main causes for an overly moist basement – water seeping in through the walls and floor, and condensation buildup. Unfortunately, many people operate on “out of sight, out of mind”, and don’t notice the problem until it’s too late.
Mold is not the only problem. In a water damage house with excessive moisture in the basement, wooden support elements may simply rot away. Also, certain species of termites thrive in moist environments. Now, while seeping though walls generally warrants professional help, condensation can be at least partially fixed by changing one’s living habits. Proper ventilation is the key.
Of course, not all homes have basements. But if you have one, or you are in the process of basement construction, then you should know that a properly insulated basement can help in reduction of energy costs.
And because they are below ground level, they are cooler and tend to contribute to the heat loss in the entire house.
Another useful advantage of insulation is that it can keep your home’s foundation protected from constant freeze and thaw weather cycles in locations of more extreme weather conditions. Many homeowners tend to hesitate when a need for insulating of a basement arises. But it is not a task which should be easily agreed upon without doing any proper research and planning.
What are your options?
Many homeowners decide on insulating of only the basement ceiling because it is cheaper to do so initially, but the basement wall insulation will in fact provide more energy savings throughout the house in the long run, since the walls are connected to the floors above, and around the house.
But, generally speaking, how you will go about the task of insulating your basement, largely depends on whether you have it conditioned (if it is a finished one, then most likely it is heated and cooled) or unconditioned, with the space being raw.
If your basement is a conditioned one, most likely it has been already insulated during home construction project. However, if it needs some improvement (unless it is perfectly insulated), you will need to locate the placement and the amount of insulation. Most conditioned basement benefit from insulation of the walls and floor.
If your Basement Waterproofing it is an unconditioned one, and your budget is tight, then the best choice would be ceiling insulation. It is not only useful in saving the energy, but also will make the floor of your first floor feel warmer, and your feet won’t get cold.
Another useful tip
When insulating your basement, you also need to include proper air sealing and moisture control. Waterproofing is especially important for basements, since they are known for having problems with the humidity, water intrusion and mold growth. Research all of your options and take any necessary steps in order to keep your basement properly sealed and moisture-free.
Water Removal Team provides immediate 24/7 emergency services for commercial clients and residential customers in Greater Toronto Area.
24/7 Emergency Waterproofing Flooded Wet-Basement Near You, Ready to Help You!
We provide emergency clean up assistance for unexpected water damage of all kinds, ranging from minor plumbing leaks to major plumbing bursts, flooded basements, sewage backups, toilet and bath overflows, and much more. Fast water removal services 24/7
Call our 24-hour emergency response hotline 800-506-6048 for a free on-site consultation within the hour.
Our expert team of highly trained and certified master plumbers, emergency first responders, water damage specialists, and restoration technicians will work together to find and stop the water damage, extract the water, dry your property, and perform a complex rebuild on the damaged or destroyed on your property structural.
Most water-damaged properties are covered by your property insurance. One of our Certified Water Removal Project Manager Team will coordinate and bill your claim adjusters / claim analysts and will assist you in handling your claim fromm start to finish so you don’t have to stress at all about being danaite from you insurance company. If for any reason you don’t have a property insurance, WE HAVE IN HOUSE FINANCING AVAILABLE to help you with a FREE FINANCING UP TO 24 MONTHS NO INTEREST NO MONEY DOWN and we will ensure to keep the repair costs to a minimal as possible.
Commercial and residential water removal and water damage mitigation is a specialized field that requires intense training, expert knowledge and skill, advanced technologies and effective processes in order to fully restore affected property to mint condition again. From leak detection to water removal, structural drying, and property reconstruction, Water Removal Team will effectively restore your property quickly and with the lowest out-of-pocket expense for you.
Leak Detection
The first step we employ when mitigating water damage is to stop the source of the water damage. Sometimes the source is apparent, but many times investigation is required to determine the cause of the water damage. Our experienced water damage specialists are trained to find the source of the water damage using advanced leak detection methods. Learn more about our leak detection services, including common causes and our detailed process.
Our team is also expert at assessing water damage to carpeting and drying out carpets and restoring them when possible.
The water extraction, water removal, and drying process for a home will depend on the type of flood damage that hit it.
Black water, flooding that represents a hazard due to sewage and can cause serious health problems after consumption or contact.
Grey flooding water with dirt or any other contaminants that can create illness after in contact.
Clean water, flooding that results from a broken water line rather than rainfall or river flooding and will not present health risks in the short term.
It is crucial to immediately seek professional water removal help for water extraction.
Only one in a funded homeowners can be lucky enough to escape water damage in their basement over the duration of their property’s life. Once Flooding Water Damage happens, do not try sleep on it or push it until tomorrow, because mold only takes a day or two – especially if your basement receives little or no natural light. Mold, and especially black mold, can cause a serious health risks, especially to elderly or very young children. Preventing black mold from forming requires a complete water extraction until no standing water remains at all. Our structural drying process utilizes to ensure you that the moisture evaporates from the walls studs and set the air in your house at a proper rate, we can also use a different drying process by speed up or slow down the drying equipment as needed to best protect all of your furniture and valuables.
Even if you sometime live in a different part of the city that receives only a few inches of rain each year, flooding and water damage can occur from poor Basement Waterproofing on your property. In some cases, rainfall claims are only the half of flooding incidents in the Canada. Your property’s utility can sometime cause the other half, including
A burst water main
Frozen pipes
Sewage backup
Sump pump failure
No matter what the case or condition, flooding requires immediate water extraction from a professional cleanup and restoration team. Your home represents your greatest investment – protect it with our water removal services when the worst happens.
We understand that any situation involving biohazards waste in your home or business can cause stress and anxiety, which is why Contact GTA Restoration right away at for dependable & experienced biohazard cleanup & remediation services.
Professionalism & Fast Response when you need it most! You have our promise.
Nationwide, Local Pricing
GTA Restoration offers local flood & water damage repair, mold removal/remediation, asbestos removal/abatement, fire/smoke damage repair services and much more.
