Why homes in Washington DC get flooded basements 

Why homes in Washington DC get flooded basements 

Hi it's Jeff with SI Restoration and with my brother Mike we have owned a water damage restoration company for over 35 years in the Baltimore Maryland and Washington DC areas. 

I consider myself an expert of handling over 10,000 water damages in homes and buildings in the Baltimore and Washington DC areas . 

So let's discuss what causes water damage and how to dry the water damaged areas as well as stop mold growth . 

Some of the reasons why homes, dwellings, and businesses experience water damage include (but are not limited to):

• Toilet overflows
• Water heater leaking or breaking
• Pipe bursts
• Floods, heavy rains, and storm damage
• Sprinkler breaks/busts

If I was asked which of he five happen the most , I would have to say toilet over flows . Toilets are the most used plumbing item and although most toilets are built well, toilets do break down or human beings have a tendancy to miss use them .

Everything from wax rings that wear down or crack , to flanges that break leading to over flow of water .  Toilets can back up if not used correctly . Toilets due to their position on the floor , not only can cause water damage on the floors around them but also cause water to leak down to the next floor . 

If I was asked the second most popular water causing damage , I would have to say pipes and water heaters.  Water heaters manufactures suggest that a homeowner clean the base of the water heater yearly , but I have to admit I don't and neither does a majority of the public.  Water heater without warning can crack or break flowing 100's of gallons of water into your basement and first level . If you have a finished basement , it can cause wet carpet , wet vinyl floors , and wet walls . if not dried correctly can leak to mold growth and ruined materials . 

Pipes are the third most popular water causing water damage source ( again it's my opinion which is the most popular ) .  Older homes have pipes that have just warned out , and new pipes in new homes are not as sturdy as they used to.  These broken pipes lead to wet ceilings , wet walls and soaked carpet . 

Floods and weather related causing water damages do not happen often , but when they do boy are they a mess. What makes these water damage sources different , is that they come from outside . The outside water has to go through dirt, rocks, roofs and concrete . The water carries bacteria and mold spores and other unhealthy issues , which makes the water damage situation even more complex. 

Sprinkler busts or leaks are usually considered by the public as clean water . But that's farther from the truth . You must remember that sprinkler water has water that has been sitting in their pipes for years and even decades . The water collects oil , grease and bacteria. Not only are the interior contents soaked , but are covered by gunk and unhealthy solutions as well

As you now have learned it's important for water damage restoration companies especially in Maryland and Washington DC to understand what they are working with . Each water damage they encounter , must be carefully analyzed to correctly dry to prevent mold and structural damage . 

SI Restoration emergency water damage repair cleanup services are available in the following Maryland areas  : 

Towson          

Pikesville 

Catonsville 

Bel Air 

Baltimore City 

Baltimore County 

Dundalk 

Essex 

Laurel 

Parkton 

Westminster 

Aberdeen 

Hyattsville 

Burtonsville 

Bowie 

Chevy Chase

Elkton 

Gaithersburg 

Rockville 
Germantown 

Hampstead 

Manchester 

Mount Airy 

Sykesville 

Takoma Park 

Upper Marlboro 

Washington DC