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Regardless if you’ve been a homeowner for 10 years or 10 days, dealing with a flooded basement can be one of the most stressful and expensive problems a homeowner has to face. Causes, prevention, and what to do next are listed in this blog to assist with what to do when a basement floods.
What Causes A Flooded Basement?
Built fully or partially underground, basements are susceptible to flooding. This can happen during a long rainy season, after a heavy rainfall, after a sudden warming in the spring, or even during a dry season. There are several factors that can determine if a basement floods.
The most common method of sealing a basement against water seepage is to apply a waterproof coating on the exterior of the foundation and walls and a sealant on the interior. Improper or slipshod waterproofing can be a major cause of flooding.
A drainage system built in a home serves the purpose of directing excess water away from the house. An improperly installed or broken draining system can magnify a flooding problem rather than reducing it.
Downspouts direct water away from the home and the foundation to prevent water from seeping in. Ideally, downspouts should end several feet away from the foundation and lead to a slightly downward slope.
Leaves, twigs, or mounds of ‘whirlygigs’ (maple tree seeds) can quickly build up creating blocked gutters. Over time and without being remedied, blocked gutters can lead to water overflowing the eaves and flooding a basement. Cleaning the gutters before the rains come could avert a flooding catastrophe later.
Your water supply line, your hot water tank, and your sump pump are three potential sources of basement flooding. A yearly inspection of the intake and output connections for rusting, and checking for increased water usage after a freezing winter can determine potential problems before they happen.
What Do I Do Now My Basement Is Flooded?
Even taking preventative measures to stop a flooded basement nightmare, the unexpected can happen. If you find yourself in the position of having a flood in your basement, deal with the situation in an organized way.
Safety first – before attempting to do any cleanup or repairs from a flooded basement, your safety comes first. Electrical shock, carbon monoxide poisoning, structural damage, mold growth, and system failures can make an already difficult problem even worse. Consider having a professional team assess the damage first.
Turn off the power – electricity conducts extremely well through water. Turn off the power before entering a flooded basement, but if the breaker box is located in the affected area, call an electrician for help.
Turn off the water – a basement is already flooded, so don’t make the problem worse. With the possibility of a broken sewage line or backed up pipes from appliances, using any water in the house may add to the problem.
Call your insurance company – depending on your policy and insurer, they may have different requirements regarding photos or detailed information. Check your policy as it may be common with many insurers to not cover flooding due to spring runoff or other natural causes.
Remove the water – it’s important to dry the basement as soon as possible as mold may begin spreading after 48 hours. Use the sump pump if it is not already running and utilize a wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water.
Discard wet items – items contaminated with flood water or sewage that can’t be cleaned include books, rugs, carpeting, mattresses, and many other items. These will need to be removed even if there is a perceived personal value.
Dry out the basement – mould spreading can be an issue when it comes to a basement flood. Use a combination of a wet/dry vacuum, absorbent mops, fans, and a dehumidifier to help completely dry the flooded basement.
Clean items – use one cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water to clean items like floors, countertops, sinks, and other hard, non-porous surfaces. If walls and ceilings have missed the crest of the floodwaters, they should also be cleaned with bleach.
Check for cracking – even if the foundation and walls had been checked before, complete another check. Re-applying a waterproof sealant after a recheck may go a long way to help history from repeating itself.
How To Prevent Basement Flooding?
Due to several factors, a homeowner may feel they have no choice but to face a flooded basement. However, preventative measures can be taken to keep a basement from being overwhelmed by water.
Gutters overflowing and not directing water away can cause basement flooding. Check under your eaves after heavy rain for pooling water, an indication gutters are clogged with leaves and tree debris.
Sometimes gutters work as intended, but the downspout at the end is too short dropping water close to the foundation. Extending the end of your downspout away from the foundation of the house can also decrease prospective water seepage.
Reduce the chances of flooding by checking the foundation and walls for signs of cracks and filling them with waterproofing sealant. Be sure that the cracks being filled are dry and free of loose debris and mold.
A French drain consists of a sunken perforated pipe that has been covered with gravel to help direct water away from your home. The pipe accepts excess water and redirects it, and the gravel helps to keep the pipe from becoming clogged.
If your home is in a heavy rain or snow area, a sump pump is essential. Contained in a sump pit at the lowest part of the home, a sump pump activates when water collects in the pit, and then the water is ejected from the home.
