Do you want to find out the most common causes of basement flooding?
Basement flooding is highly problematic for homeowners. It leaves nasty stains of water damage all over the walls of a basement and also weakens the structure of a house over time. Moreover, the humid conditions after basement flooding can also lead to problems such as mold contamination. This is why it’s important to make sure your home is well-guarded against the risk of basement flooding. Read this article to find out the most common causes of basement flooding so that you can safeguard your home.
Blocked Gutters
The first and most common cause of basement flooding is blocked gutters. Gutters are strategically placed on the roof of a house to provide a clear pathway for rainwater or melted snow to escape from the roof. The gutters are responsible for diverting water away from the foundation of the house to prevent basement flooding. When the gutters of a house become clogged with branches, debris, or leaves, the smooth flow of water from the roof gets interrupted. Since the water on the roof can no longer exit through the gutters, it starts to overflow and pour down the walls of the house. This results in basement flooding as the collected water near the foundation of the house starts to seep into the basement.
This is why it’s important to regularly clean the gutters of your house to avoid basement flooding. If there is a weather forecast of heavy rainfall in your area then always make sure you visit the roof to inspect the gutters thoroughly. If they are blocked then schedule a cleaning service for them to avoid any inconvenience during the heavy rainfall season.
Broken Downspouts
The next main common cause of basement flooding is broken downspouts. Downspouts are similar to gutters because they also collect water and provide an outlet for water to move away from the foundation of a house. The only difference is downspouts are located near the ground and they drain water towards the backyard or the street so that it doesn’t gather around the foundation of your house. As a general rule of thumb, downspouts should be placed at least 5 feet away from the walls of a house so that remove water at a good distance from the structure.
Improperly installed or broken downspouts cause water to gather near the walls of the basement walls of a house and this can lead to basement flooding. The gathered water near the foundation of a house can easily enter the basement area by seeping in through the walls or leaking through cracks in the foundation. This is why it’s important to keep a regular check on the downspouts installed in your house to ensure they’re not broken.
Weak Basement Sealing
The last common cause of basement flooding can be weak basement sealing. An important step in the construction of any house is to seal the basement tiles and foundation of the house properly so that the structure of the house is stronger and protected against flooding. Otherwise, water can easily start to seep into the basement of your house whenever there is heavy rainfall or snowfall. This is why you should always inspect the basement of a house for signs of water damage before you buy or rent it for living.
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