Dealing with basement flooding at your home or business

How Does Basement Flooding Happen?

A basement can get flooded when there is water from the outside entering. The water can enter the basement in several ways. If water is entering the basement, you know that somewhere in your house is under maintenance. You need to find the root cause so that your basement will not keep getting flooding.

Clogged Gutter
One of the reasons why basement flooding occurs is the clogged gutter. The gutter serves to direct away water flowing from the roof tiles onto a place that is a distance from the home. Every day, different types of debris such as leaves, twigs, and stones that are dried by the wind settle onto the gutter. If your kids play badminton or other games that involve hitting an object into the sky in the front yard, chances are some of these items such as shuttlecocks will end up in the gutter. You should climb onto your roof and check the gutter to see if it is clogged with debris. If there is a pile of debris in your gutter, be sure to promptly clean them out by picking and placing them into a garbage bag. After that, you can use a water hose to flush your gutter to ensure that it is clean.

Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump is usually installed in a pit which is the lowest part of the basement to automatically flush away standing water. When the sump pump fails, your basement will easily get flooded. A plumber will be able to reinstall your sump pump correctly if it has a faulty installation. He can help you to unclog the discharge pipe if it is the reason that causes your pump to stop working properly. The sump pump can become worn out and stop working after years of service. On average, a sump pump has a lifespan of 7 – 10 years. Therefore, consider changing your sump pump if it is already showing signs of old age. Many times, the sump pump did not work due to a stuck switch.

Foundation Drainage Problem
Foundation drains are pipes build into the foundation to direct away from the water and prevent the basement from flooding. The drain works with the sump pump to direct the water away into the lawn. If your house does not have a foundation drain, you can hire a plumber to install it for you. You should lookout for signs that your foundation drainage is not working. Cracks that continue to widen on the foundation are an indication that there is a drainage problem in your foundation. Mold and mildew in the attic can also be an indication that there is trouble with the drainage system in your foundation. Moisture can rise from the basement to the attic and cause mildew.