Akron, Ohio basements are notorious for flooding and getting
a moldy, mildewy smell. However, this doesn’t have to be something you just
accept and live with. By following a few tips, you can keep your basement fresh
and clean. If you currently have mildew or flooding, call a water damage cleanup expert and then follow these tips.
Reduce Standing Water
Outside
The water outside your home can affect the condition of the
inside of your home. If you have standing water outside your home in your yard,
then it can seep into the foundation. You can reduce the amount of standing
water in your yard by making sure your gutters are always clean. The location
of your home, how many trees you have surrounding your home, and how much
debris they give off, will determine how often you will need to clean out your
gutters. You can buy gutter covers that will keep a good amount of debris out,
but you will still need to check on them occasionally. Another thing that can
help keep standing water to a minimum is to extend your gutters at the base of
your house. This will draw the water away from your home to absorb further away
from your foundation.
Grade Your Yard
If your yard slopes down towards your home, your basement can
be at risk for flooding. If your yard seems fairly level and you want to be
sure, you can always find out by bringing out a level and measuring various
spots. If there are a few hills here and there, that shouldn’t affect the water
inclining toward your basement much, but a steady downward grade towards your
home, even if it is a slight one, can be an issue. You can resolve this by
hiring out or grading the yard yourself or installing a drainage system.
Seal Your Basement
If your basement is unfinished, you can buy some sealant and
apply it to the foundation of your house. You will need to remove any debris or
paint from the surface of your concrete so that it will stick correctly to the
walls and floor. If you have a leak in your foundation that you are aware of
already, you can apply the sealant to that area, but if you have moisture coming
in from an unknown source, you may just want to apply sealant to the entire
surface of the walls and floors, paying special attention to the edges and
corners. If the moisture has penetrated through the foundation, flooring, or
drywall, you will need to contact a water damage cleanup professional to make
sure it is all cleaned up. Basement floods are common in Akron and a
professional can help you restore any water damage that could have happened to
your property.
Dehumidifiers
A dehumidifier may not do much to prevent flooding, but it
can prevent mold and mildew growth and keep the air in your basement from
getting musty. You can invest in an electric dehumidifier that will collect the
moisture in the air so that you can regularly empty it. Or you can fill some
containers with cat litter, charcoal, or baking soda and that will keep the air
from smelling musty, though it won’t be as effective as a dehumidifier. If a
mildew smell remains after taking these steps, then you may want to call a
professional water damage cleanup expert to look for mildew.
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