Reasons Why Basements Flood

Flooded basement cleanup is not something most homeowners would like to deal with. The good news is that you can protect yourself from this type of issue by understanding why it might happen. Your basement could end up flooding for a number of reasons, and as a homeowner there are many steps you can take to ensure that you never have to handle such a catastrophe. If you want to keep your home  to stay clean, safe, and sanitary without having to seek water damage cleanup, see some of the reasons why basements flood, and how to prepare for the worst.

Be Prepared

Be careful of your foundation in contact with outside soil – If enough water makes its way into the soil which is in direct contact with the walls that make up your foundation, that water can then seep into your walls and cause basement flooding. This can also shift the foundation of your home which leads to many other problems.

A worker fills in cracks between a home and the tile outside with cement to prevent water damage.

Most of the reasons that your basement might flood is because of that soil around your foundation. In the event of a storm or a nearby flood, that soil is going to shift, possibly crack your foundation, and allow water into your basement. You might not even be aware of it until months after a storm because it only caused minor cracks which let water in after another storm. You should always check for small cracks in your foundation and walls of your basement.

Other reasons your basement might flood are:

  • Sewer backup
  • Sump pump failure
  • Broken pipe
  • Seepage

What can I do?

A heat fan sits on a wooden table with a teal backdrop.

To begin, if you want to prevent flooding you should immediately install a sump pump. A sump pump is a device which detects water and pumps it outside of the home. You can buy these at any hardware store.

If your basement has already flooded, first check for electrical wiring. If there is standing water do not step into it unless you are sure there are no electrical wires that could cause electric shock. You can also disconnect the main electrical switch in your home’s electrical panel. Then you need to remove everything that is on the ground. Leave it outside to dry if you are able, and use fans to dry them.

Once furniture and anything else is out of the way, use a water vacuum to suck up any standing water. It is essential that you remove water quickly so as to not cause mold or worse damage to your home. If you are satisfied that you have gotten rid of most of the water, you may then use a de-humidifier to get rid of water in the air. Once your home is no longer humid, the air will begin to suck water from the walls and floors, which will help to get rid of that extra moisture.

Next you can remove the baseboards in the basement walls. Drill holes into the wall about 2″ above the ground. This allows any excess moisture to dry from the insulation. Once you replace the baseboards the holes will be covered.

We understand that this can be an overwhelming situation if you are experiencing flooding. If you still feel that you are in need of help, we are happy to be there for you! You may give us a call at 513-214-3879.