Basement Living with recent flooding
#1
07-15-03, 08:58 AM
Basement Living with recent flooding
Hi everyone, as a 23 y.o. that just moved from Texas to Washington, DC, I'm a bit unfamiliar with basement living and the plethora of challenges that come with such a situation. I am looking at moving into an english basement apt - however, I was informed yesterday that the basement suffered significant flooding last Saturday bc of high rain. Supposedly the last major flooding occurred 6 years ago, after which the owner installed two sump pumps. He also told me that there was minor "water seepage" over the winter when the major snow melted.
I re-visted the apt. and there is not a musty smell - everything appears to be dry. The apt has its own central AC/heat, so I think that is helping with air circulation. My potential roommate did pry up a tile in his bedroom, however, and found a crack in the foundation. Water is no longer seeping through it, but that area of his room took a few days to dry.
Is this place a nightmare? Or just the typical challenges that come with a basement? Please advise - I need to decide today and I really don't know if this is typical with a basement or something to be highly concerned about.
Thank you! Jasmine
I re-visted the apt. and there is not a musty smell - everything appears to be dry. The apt has its own central AC/heat, so I think that is helping with air circulation. My potential roommate did pry up a tile in his bedroom, however, and found a crack in the foundation. Water is no longer seeping through it, but that area of his room took a few days to dry.
Is this place a nightmare? Or just the typical challenges that come with a basement? Please advise - I need to decide today and I really don't know if this is typical with a basement or something to be highly concerned about.
Thank you! Jasmine
#2
07-15-03, 09:49 AM
I would check out Renter's Insurance and see if your possessions would be covered if another 6 year flood happened when you were there.
I think that all basements probably have some moisture problem at some time. If it is supposed to be a living space, moisture does not seem to be a regular part of what one expects.
It seems that the acid test is what would you do if the water appeared while the two of were out of town for a week and no one found the damage until you returned? Worst case.
Just pondering.
I think that all basements probably have some moisture problem at some time. If it is supposed to be a living space, moisture does not seem to be a regular part of what one expects.
It seems that the acid test is what would you do if the water appeared while the two of were out of town for a week and no one found the damage until you returned? Worst case.
Just pondering.
#3
07-16-03, 10:45 AM
coming from the DC area, i can tell you we've had more rain this year than i've ever seen before, i'm sure water tables are higher than uasual. i count myself lucky that my basement hasn't flodded.
also having lived in a basement appt, i would caution you on it. where i lived flooding wasn't so much the problem as lack of proper venalation, combined with the dampness, there was mold everywhere. in my opinion there is the potential for much larger problems than water damage, i've gotten pretty ill from mold.
also having lived in a basement appt, i would caution you on it. where i lived flooding wasn't so much the problem as lack of proper venalation, combined with the dampness, there was mold everywhere. in my opinion there is the potential for much larger problems than water damage, i've gotten pretty ill from mold.
