Flooding often occurs as the result of a heavy storm or hurricane or from rising bodies of water. It can also occur from leaks inside the house or due to freezing pipes in the winter. However water gets into a basement, it can seep into the insulation, studs or carpet. This dampness can lead to structural damage and mold contamination. Even a small amount of water can cause considerable damage that may cost thousands of dollars to fix.
Just 10 days into the month and this is already the ninth wettest June in New York City history. CBS 2 News reports that 7 inches of rain has already fallen in Central Park in just the first week and a half of the month. The average for the entire month of June so far is approximately 4.4 inches. Another 3.1 inches of rain or more this month will bump 2013 to the rainiest June on record.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy’s, homeowners are left with another consequence of the flooding – mold infestation.
A number of factors can cause a basement to flood. A heavy rainstorm or hurricane is the most common reason. Pipe leaks inside the house or freezing pipes that crack and burst can cause water damage as well. Leaks from appliances, such as a clothes washer, can also be a culprit. Sewer backups into the basement can be the worst of all. No matter how it happens, water in your basement can cause significant damage and cleanup expense.
H&H Environmental was interviewed by the Poughkeepsie Journal for an article covering the water damage and flooding caused by rains this month…
Melting snow and heavy rains pushing rivers across the Northeast to flood levels. This hit many states hard and created many waterlogged communities. Flooded basements and additional dampness can cause more than just water damage to homeowners. This water and dampness can lead to mildew and mold growth, which can quickly become a health hazard.