Flooding in Federal Way Basement

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

We have a clear and confident approach to removing standing water and drying up the damage.

Hydrostatic Pressure Causes Flooding in Federal Way Basements

Moisture absorbed into the ground after prolonged rainfall common to Washington state can affect your Federal Way property. One of the most damaging forces to subterranean blockwork used as the walls of your basement floor is hydrostatic pressure. This exertion on the concrete masonry units (CMU) increases with the depth of the soil around the structure. It can worsen still with overly saturated earth after more extended periods of soaking rainfall.

There is a porous nature to CMUs which can succumb to a steady onslaught of hydrostatic pressure, and this can allow for flood damage in Federal Way homes. Because many homes around the area were built before French drains were an everyday staple of construction, water diversion from the foundation of your home is not something every property has. French drains can alleviate the immediate effects of hydrostatic pressure by giving moisture and water an outlet to move away from the masonry.

Once the water has gotten through the blocks or the weakened mortar joints between them, floodwater can pool along the concrete flooring. When you notice there is an issue with flood damage developing, it is vital to reach out to our SERVPRO professionals as soon as possible. We have an emergency response team available 24/7 to arrive and begin critical mitigation tasks like water removal.

With standing water addressed with various extraction tools like electric submersible pumps and truck-mount extractors, our SERVPRO team can work on cleaning and drying the damaged areas to prevent the development of hazardous mold growth. In many cases, reducing moisture penetration is a critical step. Our team of licensed general contractors can also help when wall repairs or reconstruction are necessary.

Flood damage that results from hydrostatic pressure might not always command your attention until the situation gets out of control. We have a clear and confident approach to removing standing water and drying up the damage, including a team of in-house contractors to repair compromised block walls after pressure cracks form. You can reach our SERVPRO of Federal Way team at (253) 838-8999.

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