As a homeowner, you never expect to come home to find your basement flooded with two inches of water. Water can damage or destroy children's toys, family heirlooms, and cherished photo albums. The cleanup and repairs can end up costing thousands of dollars.
Basement flooding is something no one wants to think about. The damage and expenses caused by water can be immense. However, much of the damage can be mitigated and prevented by being proactive. Taking steps to secure and protect your basement can save you more than just money.
This article will cover some of the most common causes of basement flooding, key ways to help prevent water damage, and most importantly, what to do right away if you come home to a flooded basement.
What Causes Basement Flooding?
Basement flooding can cause extensive water damage and be extremely frustrating to deal with. But to prevent basement floods, you first need to understand what causes them. Here we outline some of the most common culprits of basement flooding so you can take preventative action.
Excessive Rainfall
Heavy rains can overburden drainage systems around the home, causing flooding. Stormwater drainage pipes and gutters may fail to keep up with high volumes of rain, sending water pooling around the foundation. Sump pumps may also fail or overflow amidst heavy storms if not adequately sized. Proper drainage grading across the property and adequately sized gutters, downspouts, and sump pumps are key to prevention.
Plumbing Leaks and Blockages
Burst pipes, cracked drainage pipes, broken seals around joints, clogs from tree roots, grease, and debris can all lead to standing water in the basement. Small leaks over time can lead to saturated soil and water intrusion. Routine maintenance and inspection along with professional drain cleaning can minimize risks. Ensuring proper pipe slope, seals, and venting helps water drain away efficiently.
Groundwater Seepage
High groundwater levels can cause water to seep into basement walls and floors through cracks and pores in the concrete, blocks, or foundation. Basement waterproofing through interior and exterior sealants helps seal out moisture. Proper exterior grading directs ground water away from the home’s foundation. Addressing grading issues and installing waterproof barriers keeps the wall secure.
Appliance Malfunctions
Failing appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers can spring leaks over time, sending water escaping onto the basement floor. Routine maintenance helps identify wear and tear before catastrophic failure occurs. Installing overflow pans, water sensors, and automatic water shutoff valves provides additional layers of protection to cut the water during a leak event.
Failing Infrastructure
City sewer lines backing up due to excessive storm runoff or blockages can flood basements through floor drains. Fixing home drain clogs right away and installing backflow valves on drains helps prevent sewage backups. If the city line is at fault, contacting municipal authorities right away aids in faster response. Documenting incidents helps build reports for preventative infrastructure upgrades.
Structural Issues
Cracks in walls or foundations from settling, tree roots, soil pressure, and more provide openings for water to leak into the basement. Foundation repair through injection of sealants helps seal cracks and prevent leaks. Removing problematic tree roots and soil and installing an interior drainage system adds further protection. Monitoring changes and preventing deterioration stops small cracks from expanding over time.
Steps You Can Take to Prevent Basement Flooding
Basement floods don't always have to happen. With a proactive basement waterproofing plan, you can help prevent your basement from flooding in the first place. Here are several ways you can prevent a basement from flooding:
Install rain gutters if your home does not have them. It's important to have a gutter system to catch roof water and drain it away from the foundation. Keep the gutters clean and properly aligned so water can flow away from your home's basement area.
Install a sump pump to pump away water before it can flood the basement. Sump pumps are highly effective for basement flood prevention. Get the sump pump inspected yearly and clean it to prevent failure and ensure it works when needed.
Use a leak detection system to catch leaks early. These systems have sensors to monitor water flow in pipes. They can send you alerts on your phone or with an alarm if more water than normal is flowing through the pipes.
Slope the ground around the foundation away from your home. The recommended slope is at least 5 percent grade. If the soil has settled or gardening altered the slope, build it back up properly so water flows away from your basement.
Inspect appliances with water lines at least monthly to catch leaks early. Look at your washer, dishwasher, disposal, heat pump, toilet, and more. Set reminders to develop this as a regular maintenance habit.
Consider replacing very old water pipes running under and around your home's foundation. Old metal pipes tend to start leaking over 50-80 years. PVC pipes leak after 25-40 years. New pipes reduce risk.
Do visual inspections of the full interior and exterior of your home every 2-3 months to catch leaks early. Pay special attention during and after heavy storms. If you live in a known flood zone, increase inspections to every month.
Inspect your roof 1-2 times per year and fix any leaks found. Leaks send water down through ceilings and walls until reaching the basement. Annual roof repairs reduce this risk over time.
Hire a professional waterproofing company to waterproof your basement from the outside. Professionals have the best methods and materials to keep groundwater out. Waterproofing averages $2,300-$7,600 but prevents costly flooding damage over time.
Interior Measures to Keep Your Basement Dry
You can also make several interior upgrades in your basement to control moisture and handle any seepage that does occur. Useful interior measures include:
Installing an adequately sized sump pump, properly positioned in the lowest spot of the basement, with a battery backup power source
Replacing old iron or clay pipes with modern plumbing to prevent leaks
Adding backflow prevention devices where water lines enter the home
Sealing any cracks or openings in walls or floors with hydraulic cement, caulking, or foam sealants
With the right combination of exterior and interior drainage measures, you can keep your basement reliably dry and prevent the headache of dealing with standing water or overflow. Contact a basement waterproofing company to assess your home and recommend the best solutions.
What to do If Your Basement Floods
Despite your best efforts, sometimes the inevitable happens. How you respond to it in the first few minutes can make all the difference in the outcome. Taking quick action helps minimize the harm to your personal belongings and treasured memories and restores your basement.
Here are the most important steps to take right away:
Shut off power and utilities to prevent electric shock and fires
Remove standing water with a wet/dry vacuum, sump pump, or mopping
Open windows and set up fans and dehumidifiers
Discard porous items that absorb water
Check walls and floors for hidden moisture
Document damage for insurance claims
Getting rid of the water quickly prevents seepage into porous materials. This crucial first response limits further destruction, mold growth, and negative health impacts. You shouldn't have to remove drywall or flooring materials if you've taken the steps outlined above. Seek professional water damage cleanup if the flooding is extensive.
Drying Out the Basement
It takes time for thick concrete, wood, drywall, and other materials to fully dry after being inundated with water. Lingering moisture enables toxic black mold infestations that jeopardize health and home value. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and open windows to actively speed up evaporation. The National Institute of Health recommends drying out flooded areas within 24-48 hours. Don't let the basement simply air dry without assistance.
Check for hidden pockets of saturation in walls or under materials. Use moisture detectors and remove floorboards, baseboards, or drywall if needed so no water lingers. Completely drying the basement prevents long-term issues. Check windows and doors for cracks. Cracks allow water to leak in during heavy storms. Go around with caulk and seal up any cracks you find. Also replace any doors or windows that are warped, rotten, or otherwise failing to keep water out.
Basement flooding can devastate homes and families, but it doesn't have to. As discussed, basement flooding can result from multiple causes ranging from cracked foundations and broken pipes to excessive rain or snowmelt. Being proactive is key to preventing issues before they occur. This includes maintaining proper site grading, cleaning gutters, and drainage systems, repairing cracks in walls or floors, redirecting downspouts, and installing backflow valves on sewer lines.
If flooding does occur, an effective emergency response is crucial. Turn off the electricity to protect your safety. Shut off the main water valve to isolate and minimize water inflow. Mop or soak up standing water as soon as possible. Drying everything quickly discourages mold growth and long-term issues. A fast response can restore your basement so your family can return to normal life.
Contact a Local Plumbing Expert
BL3 Inc. is a family-owned plumbing and drain cleaning company with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Our team of certified and highly trained professionals specializes in providing long-lasting solutions for basement flooding and other plumbing issues. We're committed to pricing transparency; so no hidden charges or fees, and we provide dependable 24/7 emergency services when you need them.
Homeowners in Moore, OK and the greater Oklahoma City metro area trust BL3 Inc. to safeguard their most valuable asset (their home) with reliable, high-quality workmanship and unparalleled customer service. From exterior drainage systems and foundation sealants to interior sump pump installation and backup power solutions, BL3 Inc. offers a full suite of services to protect homes from the damaging effects of a flooded basement.
Call us for repair service or to install a new sump pump today!
