How To Prepare for a Basement Repair Project

If your basement has biological growth, water intrusion, or a musty odor, you can hire professionals to inspect and fix it. Using various solutions like sump pumps, channels, and tracks, a crew redirects water from your home. Here are some ways to prepare for a basement repair project:

Remove Personal Items

Before basement repair, you might need to remove personal items to protect them from debris, dust, and accidental damage. If you have sentimental, valuable, or fragile items, make sure to move them elsewhere. Such items include electronics, heirlooms, photo albums, and art that might get destroyed or accumulate excessive dust during the project. To avoid contamination, you can move canned food from the basement to a dry place within your home.

Relocate mirrors, shelves, or hanging racks that are on and near walls to allow the team to work easily. If there are storage bins, furniture, and boxes in your basement, remove them and put them in your garage. Before contractors install drainage systems, remove carpets or rugs to protect them from damp concrete and moisture.

Turn Off HVAC and Cover It

When repairing your basement, the work creates dust, debris, and fine concrete particles that could affect your home’s heating and cooling system. Before demolition, turn off your HVAC and cover it to prevent dust from circulating through air ducts and settling in other rooms. To keep dust out, use painter’s tape and plastic sheeting to protect vents.  Materials used in repairs, such as epoxy, sealants, or waterproofing agents, often have strong odors that are part of the process and help protect your unit

You can use breathable material to cover the furnace, water heater, and air handler to protect them from any debris during the repair. When the system stays covered, you don’t have to deal with intense cleanup after the project. Some contractors use a shop vacuum to collect dust they generate, but it’s better to cover your HVAC.

Create Access for Professionals

To keep the project running smoothly and safely, create easy access for professionals so that they can reach the work area easily. This requires unlocking panels, sheds, and gates for the workers to bring in large tools and equipment. Before the team arrives, open the driveway or the closest parking area so they can unload materials effectively.

If you have pets or children, it’s helpful to keep them away from the work area to create a safer, more efficient space for the specialists. Clear the stairwell and landings for professionals to carry tools and materials to the basement without any clutter. If your main basement stairs are steep or tight, talk to your contractor about using alternative paths like a walkout or egress window.

Plan for Water and Power Disruption

While crews install drainage systems, sump pumps, or wall stabilization equipment, they shut off water and power to boost safety. To have sufficient water for drinking and cleaning, store some in buckets, pitchers, and water bottles. During this process, unplug any appliance connected to water lines, such as washing machines or a dehumidifier.

During repair, specialists might use high-powered tools and vacuums that disrupt your power supply by tripping circuits. To prevent such issues, have a battery backup sump pump that allows you to enjoy power throughout the project. You can ask the crew to test your backup system to determine whether it’s working or not.

Make an Appointment for Basement Repair

Sine water enters your basement through floor cracks, wall crevices, and floor cove joints, a team can waterproof your home. These specialists use a sump pump to remove water and a water tunnel to redirect excess moisture. To keep your basement dry and functional, call a trusted company today to make an appointment for repair.