The Drain Cleaning Examiner

Defending Your House From Water Damage

Finding excess moisture in your house could possibly be the beginning of a serious problem. A wet basement suggests a major problem in many instances, ranging from leaky plumbing to a fractured foundation. It could lead to mould, wood rot and infestations, all of which are unpleasant and costly to fix. Wet basement problems can lead to issues from an irritation to furniture and appliance damages on up to structural damage.

Hassles like this tend to be ignored since they are not immediately apparent. Neglecting the obvious is no defense for doing nothing. For those who have never looked closely into your basement, it is now time. If you are uncomfortable in regards to the moisture content in your basement then take the time to look at it.

Common Issues

Yard water drainage must be worked out to move water away from the house. Re-grading your yard can fix that type of problem by sloping water flow away from the footing or redirecting surface water around the house.

Other typical issues include poorly positioned gutter downspouts, missing, leaking or plugged rain gutters. If water can pool around the foundation, the pressure can cause cracks resulting in leaks into the basement. When water gets in, trouble starts.

The worst cause of basement leakage is a high-water table. A high water table problem may be the result of underground streams or heavy rainfall that could cause the water table to rise, or the home was built too deep in a wet area.

Figure Our if it is Seepage or Moisture

You should attempt to determine if the situation is a water leak or if it is just moisture build-up or condensation. Moisture build-up or condensation happens when warm, damp air encounters colder basement walls, flooring, water pipes etc.

Practical Methods

Clear your gutters every year to make sure they are able to deal with the rain. Take a look at your downspouts to see they are positioned properly, enabling water to drain into sewers lines. Try to to minimize the risk of soil erosion by directiing water flow they way that best makes sense.

If you find moisture build-up or condensation, buy a good home dehumidifier to lower the dampness in the basement. Attach a drain hose to the unit so you do not have to empty the water it collects. Close doors and windows in the basement. And if you do want them open in the summer, make sure to close them before nightfall to avoid evening moisture getting in.

Waterproof Paint

There are a number of excellent water resistant house paints and sealers currently available. Waterproof paints can work nicely for slight humidity on walls and floors. Look at manufacturers instructions before committing to any specific product.

Drainage Tips

Few things are more annoying than a clogged drain. When the kitchen sink gets blocked, you'll not be able to use it. When you've got a clogged shower drain, it's very annoying. If the shower is draining away slowly, you'll be standing in slimy water, and soap grime will build up at the bottom of the shower. In order to prevent your drains from being obstructed beforehand, here's a few steps you can take.

• Drain Screens for Showers: To stop hair from getting down the drain and clogging up the shower, you can set a drain screen over the drain opening. This will trap hairs, and you're able to clean the screen once in a while.
• Dumping Grease Into Your Drains: A frequent mistake is to tip grease down the sink. Grease builds up inside the pipework as it cools down. It seems a hassle to have to put grease in a container, but it is a lot better than having a clogged up drain.
• Garbage Disposal: Whilst a lot of things can be put in the garbage disposal, you ought to avoid putting eggshells, leftover fruit and vegetable peel down the disposal. This ought to help keep your device working properly.
• Be Careful What is Flushed Down the Toilet: Though it is fine to flush toilet paper and tissues down the drain, there are several things that you should not. Things like diapers, paper towels, plasters and baby wipes should go in the rubbish not down the toilet.

If your drains do get blocked, don't use liquid drain cleaners. These solutions are rarely helpful, and they can be harmful to your pipes. You can try pouring vinegar and baking soda into the drain and let it sit for a while, then chase it with hot water. If it doesn't get the job done, you should phone a local plumber.

When you ought to Contact a Professional

A local Vancouver drain cleaning contractor can offer you various alternatives, based on the cause of your trouble. Remedies can vary from the rain gutters to flushing perimeter drains, or maybe more serious solutions like landscaping methods or new drain tiles. It must be clear now that awareness of your cellars situation is critical to your homes integrity. If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, then precautionary methods ought to be taken if water has been found in basement.