5 Reasons Your Basement Is Flooded

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An average of 14,000 people experience water damage at work or home every day.

Water damage can happen anywhere, but the most common area for it to happen is in your basement. Basements are more susceptible to water damage and flooding because they’re located underground.

As heavy rains occur, your basement is going to collect all of it if it’s not properly structured. This can end up costing you home value, money, and even your health.

So, what exactly causes basement flooding?

Keep reading to learn all about basement floods! 

Damage Caused by Basement Flooding

While many of us consider basement leaks to be inconvenient, they can actually really damage your home.

One of the most notable issues caused by basement leakage is mold and mildew. If water collects in your basement, it’s hard to get it to dry up completely. Since there’s usually no natural lighting, the water often just soaks into carpet and forms mildew.

Mold and mildew not only cause your basement to smell bad, but it can be hazardous to your health as well. Black mold is incredibly dangerous to breathe in, as it can cause respiratory problems.

Coughing, sneezing, and irritated eyes are just a couple of symptoms caused by black mold.

What Causes Basement Flooding?

Nobody wants a basement floor full of water.

It’s stinky, messy, and a total pain to clean up! Unfortunately, water leaking into a basement is a pretty common problem for homeowners. This is because there are so many ways that water can get into a basement.

Here are a few of those reasons:

1. Debris That Wasn’t Cleaned out of the Gutter

The purpose of gutters is to draw water away from the house.

As rain falls on your roof, your gutters redirect that water away from the home. Without working gutters, the water is more likely to pool around the foundation of your house.

As water pools around your house, the water is more likely to leak into the basement.

When your gutters collect debris like leaves, twigs, or seeds, the gutter isn’t able to do its job effectively. Instead of running through the gutter and away from the house, the water will just fill up in the gutter and spill over the side.

This leads the water right into the side of your house!

2. The Basement Was Sealed Poorly

When it comes to basement flooding, you’ll need to look at the source.

The way a basement is sealed is going to have a huge impact on its ability to keep water out. When a basement isn’t sealed properly, any moisture in the ground is able to leak right into your basement.

The sealing of the tiles and the foundation are where it matters most when it comes to basement sealing. If you notice leakage in your basement every time there’s a rainstorm, then poor sealing may be the culprit.

3. There Was a Failure in the Drainage Tile

Just like the gutters are meant to keep the rain away from your home, there should be a drainage system to do the same.

The drainage system is built around the entire structure of the house. The drainage system directs water or rain away from the home that would otherwise seep in and flood your basement.

Unfortunately, these drainage systems aren’t always created flawlessly. Sometimes the drainage system is installed wrong, or it just fails over time. If you notice water pooling in your basement after a big storm, this may be the reason why.

To determine if a drainage tile failure is the reason for basement flooding, you’ll need to hire a specialist to take a look. 

4. The Hot Water Tank Failed

There are three main sources of water in your basement.

These are hot water tanks, your water supply line, and your sump pump. If any of these components break, you’ll notice a flood in your basement. To prevent your hot water tank from flooding into your basement, you’ll want to have a professional come out and inspect it every year.

The professional will make sure everything is operating correctly, and they can fix any potential problems. It’s much easier to let a professional inspect and repair your hot water tank as soon as possible.

If that much water is released into your basement, you face the risk of mold and mildew developing.

5. There Was a Failure With the Sump Pump

Just like with the hot water tank, a shotty sump pump will flood your basement. 

You can avoid having a broken sump pump by having a professional out to inspect it regularly as well. 

Other Causes of Basement Flooding

While these five causes are the most common causes of basement flooding, there are some others.

If your house is built on a low point in the property, you may notice flooding because of that. Your home should always be built on the highest point of your property to avoid flooding.

Another reason for basement flooding is sewage backup. If you have a septic tank, it’s important to have it pumped regularly. Without doing so, it can back up and drain all over your basement.

If your downspouts are installed incorrectly they may actually be directing the water right toward your home. The purpose of downspouts is to aim water away from your home. So, they should be no closer to your home than five feet. 

The downspout will typically aim towards the street or your backyard. If the downspout is too close to your home, water can leak into your basement through any minor or major cracks in the wall. 

Waterproof Your Basement Today

If your basement is collecting water and you don’t know why don’t hesitate to get help.

Basement flooding is a really common problem for homeowners, but that doesn’t mean it’s one that they should just deal with! If your home has any of the flaws listed above, you’re going to need your home waterproofed properly.

Reach out to us today to learn about how we can waterproof your home!

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