Wondering what can cause flooding in a basement?
Basements of every home are at higher risk of flooding because they’re built significantly below ground level. Floods can occur in a basement due to many different reasons. Harsh rainy or snowy weather can cause water to enter your basement if the gutters are clogged. Flooding in your basement can also occur due to burst pipes or faulty water heaters.
The water from flooding in your basement can then seep into the walls and flooring to damage them. Basement flooding can also lead to more harmful consequences like mold growth and the weakening of the structure of your house. This is why it’s important to take preventive measures to minimize the chances of flooding in your basement. Knowing the common causes of flooding in your basement will help you safeguard your home against this problem.
Improper Basement Sealing
When a new house is being constructed, the basement tiles and foundation of the house need to be properly sealed to protect it from flooding. If the sealing on the basement is not done properly in your house, then water will start to seep into the basement from the ground outside overtime. As a result, floods will easily occur in your basement whenever there are rainstorms or heavy melting of snow.
Poor Drainage System
It is important for every house to have a well-functioning drainage system to avoid the occurrence of basement floods. A well built and clean drainage system gives water an outlet to easily flow away from the house and not gather around during heavy rainfall.
If the drainage system of a house is not installed correctly, water will seep into the basement and cause water damage. We suggest you call in a professional to thoroughly inspect the drainage system in your home to avoid basement flooding due to this cause.
Poorly-Installed Downspouts
The main job of downspouts is to collect water and direct it away from the foundation of your house towards the street or backyard so the water doesn’t leak into your basement. Downspouts are usually installed approximately 5 feet away from the walls of a house so they drain away water from a safe distance.
Poorly installed or broken downspouts lead to standing water next to the basement walls of a house. The standing water then starts to pour into the basement through cracks in the foundation or seep in through walls.
Clogged Gutters
Just like downspouts, gutters are placed on the roof to divert water away from the foundation of a house and keep the basement dry when it’s raining. If the gutters of a house become clogged with debris, leaves or branches then there is no clear pathway for the water to escape through. As a result, the gutters start to overflow and water pours down the walls of a home. The water then starts to collect next to the basement walls and seep into the basement resulting in flooding.
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