Basement flooding can be incredibly stressful and damaging to your home, as moisture and mold can make the walls, floors, and contents of your basement unsalvageable. Fortunately, there are some ways you can prevent these kinds of water damage-related problems from occurring in the first place by identifying the main causes of basement flooding and taking the appropriate basement flooding cleanup measures to prevent them from happening.
The following are five of the most common culprits behind basement flooding:
Missing Separation Membrane
The top cause of basement flooding and water damage is a missing or damaged separation membrane. A separation membrane should always be in place to separate the ground from your home’s foundation.
This is a crucial element in the prevention of water damage to your home since it will keep the moisture that inevitably seeps through from coming into contact with your foundation.
If you have an above-ground pool, it’s even more important to make sure you have an adequate separation membrane so that when rainwater accumulates on top of the pool cover and goes down into the ground, it won’t come into contact with your foundation.
Leaky Exterior
Water can get into your basement from the exterior of your home through cracks in the foundation, window wells, or other sources. To prevent this from happening, make sure that gutters and downspouts are in good working order.
Make sure that any water running off the roof doesn’t pool near your house by diverting it away or grading it downward toward drainage pipes. Install a sump pump to remove water if there’s a high water table.
Install rain guards on windows and doors to keep as much water out of your basement as possible. Water can also enter your basement through cracks in the foundation, so use concrete sealant or mortar repair to plug up these leaks.
Sump Pump Failure
Sump pump failure is the most common cause of basement flooding. This can happen for a number of reasons, including a power outage, clogging, or just old age.
Sump pumps should be serviced annually to make sure they are working properly and that they are not in need of repair. If your sump pump has failed, you should contact a professional to get it fixed right away because it could lead to more serious problems if left alone.
It’s also important to note that sumps pumps typically only work when it rains; if you’re experiencing any flooding issues when there isn’t rain in the forecast, it’s likely something else is at play.
Damaged Foundation Wall Cracks
When water enters your basement, it usually finds its way through cracked foundation walls. This can be caused by the house settling or a faulty installation or repair of the wall.
These cracks allow water to seep in and pool against the wall, eroding the mortar and sending dust into the air. In addition to being unsightly, this can lead to mold growth and potential structural damage.
Poor Drainage
Improperly installed or clogged gutters can cause water to back up and pool on the roof, causing a myriad of other problems such as ice dams, black mold, and rotting wood.
Gutters should be cleaned of leaves and debris at least twice a year, but you should also ensure that gutters are pitched in the right direction for runoff.
This can be easily verified by looking at your roof from ground level to see how water flows off. If it’s moving away from your foundation rather than toward it, there may be something wrong with your gutters or downspouts that need correcting.
Top To Bottom Renovation: Basement Flooding Cleanup Services
No matter what the reason for your basement flooding is, it is important to contact a professional water damage restoration company as soon as you can. Top To Bottom Renovation is your go-to water damage restoration specialist. Contact us today at 301-579-8215 to learn more about our services!
