Basement Water Damage Restoration in Garland, TX

Basements are the exception in Garland

Most Garland houses are slab-on-grade. Basements, walkout lower levels, below-grade garages and storm shelters are the exceptions, and they behave differently. Water enters from the outside through floors and walls, as well as from plumbing inside.

Why basements take on water here

• Expansive clay soil swells when wet, presses on foundation walls and opens cracks.
• Heavy rain raises the water table, which pushes groundwater up through the slab and cove joint.
• Window wells and stairwells fill with runoff if drains clog.
• Sump pumps fail during storms, often when power drops.
• Plumbing leaks and water heaters drain to the lowest level.

How restoration works below grade

1. Find out the sourceGroundwater, surface runoff, sewer backup and plumbing leaks need different fixes.
2. Remove the waterExtraction removes the water, and if the surrounding soil is saturated, level is often lowered in stages to protect walls and floors.
3. Remove what is wetCarpet, pad, drywall and insulation come out. Concrete and framing are cleaned.
4. Dry slowlyConcrete holds water and gives it up slowly. Dehumidification matters more than air movement. See dehumidification.
5. Fix the entry pointWithout drainage or sealing work, the next storm repeats the loss.

A below-grade space that stays damp grows mold quickly, so basement mold removal often follows a basement water loss that was not dried quickly. Surface cleanup of a freshly flooded space is covered under basement flood cleanup. For the general process, see water damage restoration in Garland, TX.