Basement Flooding: Common Causes – Part 1

In our last few blogs we talked about water damage and and the common causes. Though some basements will incur water damage from catastrophic level flooding, most of the causes of water damage result from avoidable circumstances, such as the care and maintenance of old pipes and the avoidance of flushing items down the toilet or kitchen sink that shouldn’t be there. Other causes, are clogged gutters and drainage systems that can cause water to pool outside your home and then eventually pour into your basement. Humidity can also be a cause for water damage in homes, not only creating damage on it’s own, but also giving mold a perfect environment to grow. This week we are going to focus on the common causes of a flooded basement and how to avoid them.

Clogged Sewer

As we already alluded to, a clogged sewer can be the cause of much dismay and damage to a basement. It is a gross mess that can generally be avoided by simply not flushing anything down the toilet except toilet paper and those things deemed flushable by the manufacturer. Tree roots can also be the source of a backed up sewer. Why? Roots are looking for moisture and fertilizer and sewer lines are excellent sources for both. To avoid roots from clogging your sewer, purchase an enzyme treatment that will clear away these obstructions without damaging your trees. Older homes are ones that should be given extra care and attention. Though older homes are beautiful and have a great amount of character and unique features, much of their plumbing will need to eventually be replaced. Many older homes have clay or cast iron sewer lines that should be replaced before they create a problem.

Backed Up Storm Sewer

A backed up storm sewer can be the demise of basements and what are stored there. Often, when there is an obstruction or other problem with a storm sewer, the excess water will leak into the perimeter foundation drain and begin to flood the basement. Unfortunately, if there is a problem with the storm sewer there is little you can do. However, what you can do is pickup items that could possibly initiate problems, from the street before they find their way into the storm sewer.

Surface Water

Sometimes surface water can find it’s way into the basement. This water can come from a variety of places and be the result of a few issues. If a severe rainstorm has hit your area, you may see issues with with storm sewers that can’t handle the excess amount of water or with your property’s drainage system for the same reasons. However, this is usually only in extreme cases. Most of the time when surface water finds it’s way into our basement it is due to other issues.

These are just a few of the common causes of flooded basements, stay tuned for part 2 in this series!

Already have water damage in your basement? Contact us! We offer professional water damage restoration services as well as mold testing and mold removal. We would love to help you pick up the pieces after a destructive event such as a flooded basement and repair it as good as new. Visit our website to learn more!