The Calm Before and Chaos After a Storm

flooded basement

My Basement is Flooded… Now What? 

With its rolling hills and abundance of streams, rivers, and lakes, Atlanta often falls victim to flash flooding during and following a storm. If you have a crack in your foundation, some of that water can find its way into your basement – destroying existing furniture, carpet, and drywall while putting your family at risk from mold growth. If your basement is unfinished and you keep very little down there that could be damaged, you could invest in a pump to get the water out of your basement. But when the next major storm hits, your basement may flood again. To avoid costly water damage, repairs, and renovations in the future, it’s essential to get a handle on the causes of basement flooding, the signs of a water leak, and the steps to take once you’ve discovered you may have a problem… 

Causes of Foundation Damage that May Lead to Flooding 

Over time, cracks can develop in your foundation. However, those cracks may be unseen by you – particularly if you have a finished basement with padding and carpeting. Here are the top four causes for your foundation to crack: 

  • Poor Soil Conditions Around Your Home: Fluctuations in the moisture content in the soil that surrounds your home can cause it to expand and contract – placing pressure on your foundation. That pressure can cause your foundation to crack, putting your home at risk of water damage. 
  • Landscaping and Poor Drainage Around Your Home: How the property surrounding your home is graded can lead to water buildup around your foundation. The trees planted near your home can also impact your foundation, as deep root systems and water buildup can cause your foundation to crack. 
  • Plumbing Issues: Water lines beneath your foundation can become compromised and leak into the soil under your home. That standing water may cause the ground to expand and contract – placing pressure on your foundation and potentially leading to cracks (as well as high water bills!) 
  • Faulty Construction and The March of Time: Whether you own an older home that was completed before certain construction practices became standard or you’ve fallen victim to faulty construction, as your home settles, the foundation can crack. 

Signs of Water Leaking in Your Basement 

The earlier you catch a water leak, the better. If you have an unfinished basement, the signs of water seeping in are a little easier to spot – particularly when they are a visible 1/8 inch or more wide. However, there is little as disconcerting as walking downstairs to your beautiful, finished basement and finding a foot of standing water following a storm. So, to get ahead of it, here are the signs to keep an eye out… 

  • You Smell a Mustiness in the Air 
  • You See a Chalky White Buildup on Some Surfaces 
  • You Notice Water Stains at the Bottom of Your Baseboards and Drywall 
  • You Feel Moisture on the Flooring or in Your Carpet 

You can also look for signs that your foundation might be compromised OUTSIDE of your basement, including breakage in your exterior brickwork, cracks in the mortar between your bricks, a sagging roofline, bowing walls in the floors above, a leaning chimney, or a crooked garage frame. 

What To Do If Your Basement Floods After a Storm 

If you find water leaking into the basement after heavy rain, contact your insurance provider to see if your homeowner’s insurance covers the incident. If so, your insurer can put you in touch with a flood remediation company to drain the water from your basement and mitigate any potential mold growth. Your NEXT call should be to the foundation repair specialists at H2O Proof & Foundation Repair. We offer more than 30 years of foundation repair expertise and industry-leading basement waterproofing solutions, including push pier and helical pier systems to repair and stabilize your foundation. 

If you suspect that you may have cracks in your foundation but don’t wish to wait for the next major storm to learn you’re right, contact the H2O Proof & Foundation Repair team to conduct a thorough, no-obligation, FREE inspection of your property. Call 678-426-8618, email info@H2O-proof.net, or complete TODAY!  

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H2O Proof & Foundation Repair provides homes and businesses throughout Metro Atlanta with protection against water intrusion using the most innovative and effective drainage technologies and waterproofing sealants available.

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Shannon “Red” Logan

OWNER

Red is a hands-on leader with more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. Born and raised in Acworth, he is an amazing example of a Georgia boy who grew from the ground up in construction. Red landed his first job at 15 as a block mason’s assistant – carrying blocks and helping to build foundations. By 17, he was building homes side by side with his father – a job he enjoyed for 12 years. He also spent four years as a fabricator in a machine shop. By 29, he went to work for Eric’s father at H2O Proof & Foundation Repair.

 

During his time here, Red has learned everything there is to know about both pre- and post-construction waterproofing. His experience as a fabricator has also proved invaluable. Thanks to his understanding of the fabrication of components for structural lifting, we brought fabrication in-house at H2O – which has led to cost savings for our clients. Not only is he an excellent asset to our company, but also to the residential and business clients we serve.

Eric Collett

OWNER

From the age of 10, this second-generation waterproofer from Cumming, GA virtually grew up in the foundation business. His father, Rick Collett, launched H2O Proof & Foundation Repair in 2004. Every chance he got, Eric would follow his father to job sites, and – as he got older – would help the crew repair foundation walls and waterproof to earn pocket money. After graduating from South Forsyth High School, he began working in the family business full-time – believing that hands-on experience is the best education you can receive in this industry. After being in the field for eight years, Eric transitioned to a project management role where he oversaw crews, analyzed issues, and proposed solutions on a wide variety of pre-and post-construction waterproofing and foundation repair jobs. His project expertise ranged from homeowners having foundation issues and investors flipping homes to commercial developers and builders of new construction homes.

 

Boasting nearly 25 years of experience in structural lifting and foundation repairs, Eric has also been trained and certified on the restoration side of the industry. He is proud of the fact that the company his dad launched, and Eric continues to grow today has helped everyone from families to large corporations all over the Southeast stay dry and safe in their homes and businesses. He credits the fact that his company is based on its own firm foundation of long-standing relationships, industry knowledge, and unwavering integrity for H2O Proof & Foundation Repair’s success.

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