The Most Common Causes of Basement Flooding And Water Damage Cleanup

Water is the major cause of damage to properties as it comes from a wide range of sources, from heavy rainfall to leaky pipes and sewer backups. Once the water has entered the property, it will keep spreading through absorbent materials, causing more structural damage. Since basements are the lowest point of the house and water in the soil surrounds them, they are particularly vulnerable to floods. Below are the major causes of basement flooding and water damage cleanup in your home.

1. Improperly Installed Downspouts

When properly installed and operating, downspouts always direct excess water away from your house and its foundation. They must be at least five to seven feet away from the basement floor and drain water away from the property and toward the street or your yard. If your downspouts are broken, water could accumulate beside your home. Water will seep into your basement through gaps in the ground as the soil surrounding your house softens.

2. Gutter Debris

Gutters are an important feature of your home’s rainwater collection system. They direct excess water away from the foundation by directing it from the roof to the drains. They easily clog with branches, leaves, nuts, and other waste, and since they are not visible, it’s easy to miss them. Clogged drains cannot direct water away from the property, and they overflow after rainstorms, resulting in waterfalls that increase the risk of floods. Make sure to clean your gutters regularly, and consider placing coverings over the tops to keep debris out.

3. Poor Basement Sealing

When a house is built, the basement tiling and foundation must always be sealed properly. This is especially crucial in locations where torrential rain, storms, and other extreme weather disasters are common. Hurricanes bring with them strong winds and a lot of rain, which can result in a flooded basement. Also, snow-prone regions are at risk of flooding from melting snow leaking into badly sealed basements and creating floods. This could be the cause of flooding in your basement during all or most rainfall.

4. Sump Pump Failure

A sump pump is necessary if your house has a basement. This pump is placed in a sump hole, which collects water flowing naturally through the ground around your property. This pump is built to keep the lowest part of your household dry by pumping the excess water out of the sump pit and far away from the house. If the sump pump stops, the water in the pit will not be pumped out. With time, that water will overflow into your basement if you are unaware of the problem. Even if these devices are normally very dependable, proper sump pump servicing and performance testing are important.

5. Sewer Backup

A sewer backup is another common cause of basement flooding. Sewage can back up into your property if the town sewers are overflowing due to a heavy rainfall. If the sewages are overflowing, sewers can flow towards your home and may enter through a toilet or floor drain pipe, which will flood your basement.

Water Damage Cleanup In Greensboro

If you are dealing with a basement flooding problem in your house, water damage cleanup in Greensboro can help. Contact our experts at Restoration 1 of Winston Salem right away. We will respond quickly and devise a strategy to reduce damage to your property and personal items. We specialize in urgent water removal, structural drying, pipe burst cleanup, and water damage restoration. Get in touch with us today for 24/7 emergency service.