After The Storm: How To Dry Out Your Crawl Space And Basement

June 5, 2012 - PRLog -- VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (June 4, 2012) - On June 1st, one of the deadliest storms since 2008 swept across Virginia. From Hampton Roads to Franklin and Petersburg to Charlottesville - the region was lashed with tornadoes, heavy winds, flash flooding and heavy rain. JES Foundation Repair shares how to dry out your crawlspace or flooded basement after a bad stormy weather. http://www.jeswork.com.

The storm caused an estimated $4.3 million in wind damage just in Hampton. The cost incurred from the flooding throughout the Commonwealth remains to be seen as Virginia residents are still cleaning up the damage.

According to the Virginia Department of Energy Management, flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Virginia. Just one inch of water in a crawl space or basement, could cost up to $8,000 in clean-up and repair!

How To Dry Out Your Crawl Space And Basement
A flooded basement or crawl space can result in health and safety problems. The excess moisture creates the ideal environment for mold and mildew while the pressure from the water can create foundation problems.

It is best to consult with a waterproofing and foundation repair expert before trying to dry out flooded basements or crawl spaces. But homeowners can take a few steps to help dry out their home after a flood:
  1. Before entering your basement/crawl space, inspect the exterior of your home for
      signs of foundation problems. Look for brick cracks, sinking concrete or cracked
      cement blocks.
  2. Turn off all utilities before beginning clean up. Make sure that there are no gas  
       leaks or downed electric lines.
  3. Open up windows or vents to air out the space.
  4. Gradually remove the water using a pump. This process should be completed by
       an expert. The water inside the basement/crawl space could be equalizing the
       hydrostatic pressure on the outside of the foundation. If water is removed too
       quickly structural damage could develop.
  5. Remove all water damaged items and debris.
  6. Clean all surfaces that were covered with water to deter mold and mildew growth.
  7. Dry the space using blowers and dehumidifiers.
  8. Encapsulate the crawl space or waterproof the basement to minimize future flood
      risk.

If you’re not sure about the safety of your crawl space and basement, we are here to answer your questions. Or if you’re ready for a free inspection go to http://www.jeswork.com or call 866-370-4816.

About JES Foundation Repair

JES Construction, Inc is a structural engineering solutions firm specializing in residential and commercial foundation repair, basement waterproofing systems, and crawl space moisture control systems. JES operates out of three locations in Virginia including Virginia Beach, Chester, and Manassas and serves Virginia, Maryland,Washington D.C. and Northeastern North Carolina. For more information about JES Construction, Inc please visit www.jeswork.com.