Managing Water Removal Challenges of Cinder Block Construction
Cinder block technology was standard in 20th-century Boise residential foundation and basement construction. Building with blocks was cost-effective, using affordable materials and straightforward techniques, enabling fast, sturdy installation. Open cells within the blocks create multiple-level hollow cores, stacked like upright straws, that lead toward the flooring substrate and exterior wall framing.
Cinder Block Stacks Hold Water
Unfortunately, when water seeps in after torrential rainfall, late-winter and spring snowmelt, or a plumbing rupture or appliance breakdown, moisture can collect and pool in the brick’s recesses. Trapped water can wick up into the main floor structures and gradually leach out of the semi-porous concrete blocks, potentially flooding or re-flooding the basement or crawl spaces.
Extraction Difficulties
Hidden water extraction is a complex job. The fluids do not simply spread out, waiting to be mopped or even cleaned with commercial-strength wet vacuums. The hollow design of cinder blocks allows moisture to move vertically and sometimes horizontally, with liquids concealed under visually “dry” appearing surfaces. Left unaddressed, trapped water can seep into and weaken mortar joints, creating a perfect environment for microbial growth. Inevitably, Boise homeowners are overwhelmed by musty odors and fear that cracks and crumbling in basement walls can mean foundation damage.
Water Extraction Planning Precedes Implementation
Professional water extraction services are essential when a Boise basement floods or leaks. The certified technicians at Master Restoration Idaho are well-prepared through classroom and hands-on training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Extensive inventories of diagnostic tools, as well as water-extraction and structural-drying equipment, support the crews.
Successful Professional Boise Water Extraction Strategies
Technicians map the full extent of moisture migration throughout the maze of cinder-block configurations, using moisture detectors and thermal imaging. We also locate water hidden in other recesses behind wall finishes (gypsum board and paneling) or beneath flooring. Once we trace all water migration, targeted interventions assist in releasing the fluids for extraction during staging of the workspace:
- Inserting wands from either truck-mounted or portable extractors to suction fluids from the tops of the cinder clock stacks.
- Targeting drilling through mortar joints allows the cinder block “straws” to drain to the basement floor.
- Once water starts flowing from the stacks, crews bring in commercial-grade pumps and extractors to quickly remove standing water.
Closely Monitored Structural Drying
Drying continues to remove lingering dampness after liquid extraction. Absorbed moisture evaporates more quickly when Master Restoration sets up low-profile air movers and dehumidifiers, forcing warm, dry air to circulate throughout the block cavities and helping reach normal, safe moisture levels. Due to the complexity of the moisture paths, monitoring during drying is crucial. Technicians document progress with regular readings until structural materials stabilize and conditions are ready for cleaning and restoration.
Call Master Restoration Idaho at (208) 286-1991 for expert water extraction in Boise. IICRC-certified technicians understand the barriers cinder block foundations pose to simplistic water extraction efforts and provide efficient, individualized solutions to restore your home safely and completely.