MN Property Problems: Basement Water Damage
By Admin | March 19, 2021
Spring is here! The sun is staying up later, the temps are higher, and the snow is melting. We’re all very excited about getting back outside again and we hope you are, too!
This season is always so refreshing in Minnesota and this one is certainly no exception, given the circumstances of the last year.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that early spring can have some pitfalls that lead to home disasters. One of the more common property problems we see in early Spring is basement water damage.
During the Winter, the flip-flops between sub-zero and above-freezing temperatures cause pipe freezes and bursts. When the weather is consistently warmer in the Springtime, the issues tend to come from snow and ice melting quickly.
Frozen Exterior Water Spigots
One common (and often hidden) culprit is exterior water spigots. Extreme sub-zero temps during winter may have affected some homes’ exterior spigots if they were not properly drained or the shut-off valves closed.
Often, that first really nice warm Spring weekend day brings a flood of calls (no pun intended) for water damage restoration.
Flooded basements arise when water spigot supply pipes froze and only got discovered when the spigot was turned on for the first time in Spring.
Instead of water streaming from the garden hose, it came pouring into the finished basement. Here’s how you can prevent this from happening:
- In the Fall, ensure that water supply valves to exterior faucets are shut off and then open the exterior faucet to drain completely.
- If your exterior faucets are older, update them to frost-free faucets and then follow the correct shut-off and draining procedure.
If there is little or no water pressure coming from your exterior faucet, immediately check your basement thoroughly to make sure water isn’t flooding it. If water is flooding, shut off the main water valve and call a plumber immediately!
Sump Pump Failure
Another problem is the fast-melting snow or early heavy rains that can lead to sump pump failure and drain backups, which result in flooding.
Poorly functioning or broken sump pump systems are to blame. If your sump pump fails, it’s usually because it:
- Is too small to handle the amount of water coming into the basin.
- Was poorly made (or contains really cheap components).
- Has faulty components or is broken (a common issue is a float becoming stuck and not activating the pump).
To make sure your sump pump is ready to take on the melting season, check the pipe that drains the water outside the house to make sure it’s clear of debris.
In addition, check to make sure your sump pump is humming and all components are operating correctly. If it’s not making a humming noise, then it’s not working.
The best option going forward is to replace it or have a specialist come out and help you.
Drain Backups
Basement drains can get backed up because of clogs or even backups in the main sewer line. If your drain has a basic clog, you should be able to clean this yourself.
However, if the problem is much bigger, then you’ll need the assistance of a plumber.
If you’re too late and the sump pump failed or a drain backup has caused flooding, a mitigation/restoration company will need to help you.
Ungerman is the right company to help you clean up the mess and repair the basement back to normal.
About Us
UNGERMAN is a family-owned company providing full-service mitigation, restoration, reconstruction, and renovation. Our mission is to provide our residential and commercial clients with the highest quality of dependable services while carefully managing costs.
We will provide accurate estimates, clear communication, and efficient completion of necessary mitigation and repairs in order to complete projects successfully. Through this process, we will build a solid relationship between the customer, the insurance company, and UNGERMAN.