A plumber is a good starting place
When you notice water collecting in your home’s basement or crawl space, you need help right away. But who are you supposed to call when you’re facing a problem like this? A plumber can handle most leaks, but if your foundation is the issue, you’ll need to call a structural engineer as well. In this article, we’ll explain how to decide who to call for water in the basement.
When water damage is discovered, turn off the power and disconnect all electronic devices from any affected area.
If the water in your basement is visibly caused by a leaking pipe and you catch the problem the first time it happens, you should call a plumber in your area. The plumber arrives, verifies what you suspect, repairs the leak in your basement, and finally, you clean up any mess.
Calling a plumber to handle water in your basement or crawl space has the following benefits:
Plumbers are highly experienced at handling leaks, both major and minor.
You can often call an emergency plumber who will respond within hours.
Plumbers can usually implement a quick fix to prevent further leakage or damage, even if you need another professional.
Plumbers can often refer you to a water remediation company or structural engineer if necessary.
If you have extensive standing water from a flooded basement or water damage, you may consider hiring a water remediation team in addition to a plumber.
Water remediation teams sometimes don’t make the repairs to the problem causing water to collect in your home. These teams give your home a thorough inspection, remove any standing water, clean and sanitize the flooded basement, and get your home looking and feeling like it did before the damage occurred. As such, an emergency plumber can stop the problem from continuing, and a remediation team can fix any resulting damages.
You can, in theory, fix the problem of water in your basement or crawl space yourself. That said, it’s a time-intensive project and not one without risks. Water in these spaces can lead to mildew and mold, and, in extreme cases, serious structural damage to the home’s foundation caused by water exposure. If you have electrical lines running through the space, there’s also a risk of electrocution.
If you are immuno-compromised or a beginner when it comes to DIY home repairs, we suggest you contact pros to tackle the problem of water in your basement. They will fix the underlying issue to prevent further damage, and they will also be able to make sure that there isn’t any remaining moisture or water to prevent mold growth.
There are various reasons why there might be a leak or pooling water in your basement. Below are some common causes and how to identify them so you can take care of the issue immediately by hiring a local basement waterproofing company, if necessary.
Wet walls or floors: Water seeping through the basement floor, plumbing leaks, or excess condensation can saturate basement walls and floors. Signs can be dampness, water stains on the walls or floors, musty odors, and visible mold. You might also see signs of water damage on the ceiling in your under-home area, including sagging insulation, wet sheetrock, or rotting floor joists.
Mold or mildew: Excessive mold growth and mildew are common issues in basements, particularly ones with high humidity and inadequate airflow. When you're in the basement, check for musty smells, visible mold growth, and worsening allergies.
Excess water: Standing water in the basement can happen from plumbing leaks upstairs and, less commonly, outside water that finds its way inside through cracks in your foundation. If you don’t see any obvious signs of leaks and plumbing issues, check your foundation drainage, gutters, and downspouts. Another indicator of a leaky basement is pooling water around your home when it rains, or particularly spongy soil around your foundation.
Smells: Damp or musty air can mean too much moisture in the basement. Leaks and foundation cracks are common causes of high humidity, mold, and mildew growth. Look for water stains on the walls or floors, condensation, or stains on the walls. You might also notice efflorescence or white powder on your foundation walls, which is a mineral deposit left behind when water seeps through the concrete and evaporates into the air.
Your first step when dealing with water in your basement or crawl space is identifying who you need to call. In some cases, you might need help from a structural engineer. Let’s talk a bit more about different options presented to homeowners.
If you don’t know where the problem is coming from, call in a contractor. Is there evidence of water damage—like water stains or brown spots on the ceiling or floors of your crawl space—that’s nowhere near any pipes? A contractor will be able to identify the problem. They have generalized knowledge that’s perfect for identifying unknown issues.
Structural engineers get involved when the problem causing the water to leak into your home is serious enough that it might damage the foundation, or if the leak is stemming from structural damage. A plumber can fix a pipe leak, but they cannot tell you if there are foundational cracks that could indicate structural damage and let water into your home.
However, you’ll still need to contact a plumber, contractor, and/or water remediation team in addition to a structural engineer. They will be able to restore your structural integrity, but they won’t be able to rebuild damaged parts of your interior or stop a plumbing leak that may have caused the issue.
Depending on the cause of the excess water, your contractor or plumber may take one of several tactics. Here are a few common ways they address water in a basement or crawl space:
If the leak is still occurring, shut off the water to the area and carry out the appropriate plumbing repair.
Use a high-powered water pump to relocate standing water outside.
Add a sump pump to move standing water out and away from the home’s foundation.
Replace damaged or leaking pipes if they’re causing the issue.
Pump your septic system or clear sewer line clogs that might be causing back-ups and leaks.
You can change the slope of your yard or the landscaping so that water moves away from it more easily.
Repair cracks in the foundation of your home.
Repair downspouts that may be directing rainwater too close to your home’s foundation.
Install basement waterproofing measures to help manage excess water in the future or keep it outside.
While flooding is always cause for alarm, certain situations are considered more urgent than others. If there is water pooling anywhere in your basement, it’s time to call a local emergency plumber ASAP. Standing water in your basement could be from a plumbing leak or from cracks in your foundation—either situation can go from minor to major very quickly. On average, the cost to hire an emergency plumber ranges from $100 and $500, depending on the scope of the repair and when you call them—calling an emergency plumber on the weekend or on a holiday will cause the rate to jump.
While water in your basement is unlikely to make you sick unless it’s coming from a sewage backup, mold is likely to start to grow in wet areas within 24 hours, and mold can make you sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), inhaling mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, including runny nose, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and itchy skin. Individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues like asthma and immunocompromised individuals are at an elevated risk of symptoms when inhaling mold spores.
It depends on what caused your basement flooding, the extent of the problem, and the risk of the flood continuing. If your flood is coming from a septic system or sewer line, breathing in the sewer gasses can be dangerous, so you should vacate. If the flood occurs from an ongoing natural disaster, relocating to a safe area might be wise. If you just have a plumbing leak or rainwater coming in, you can likely stay in the house if you don’t have electrical lines down there, but make sure you call in professionals to fix the issue immediately.
