The basement is flooded. It’s happened to all of us, and it’s never fun. We’ve all encountered the exasperating challenge of dealing with a waterlogged basement, understanding the frustration it brings. But why does this happen? Why is the basement always flooded?
The answer is simple: because you haven’t read this article yet! It’s time to find out why your basement is always flooding and what you can do about it.
Causes Of A Flooded Basement
Sometimes the water just comes, and it’s not fun.
It happens to the best of us. You’re cleaning up your basement when you hear the sound of rushing water – and then you realize your basement is flooded. No matter how careful you are, there are things that can cause flooding in a basement. Here are common causes of basement flooding:
- Heavy Rainfall
This one is obvious, but it’s also important to note that heavy rainfall, in combination with other factors (like poorly functioning gutters and downspouts), can lead to a flooded basement.
- Poorly Functioning Gutters And Downspouts
If your gutters aren’t working properly, they won’t be able to pull water from the roof fast enough. This means that water will build up on top of your roof faster than it can drain off, leading to a wetter environment for your whole house or building.
- Foundation Cracks
Cracks in your foundation are one of the most common causes of basement flooding. If these cracks aren’t repaired, water from the ground below can seep through and into your home, causing severe basement and water damage.
- Faulty Or Insufficient Drainage Systems
A faulty drainage system allows water to pool around your house, which increases the chances of basement flooding when it rains or snows heavily outside. A properly working drainage system will prevent this from happening by directing excess water away from your house and into a storm sewer or other area where it can be safely released back into nature without causing harm to anyone else’s property along the way.
- Plumbing Issues
Did you know that the average family in the USA uses more water than any other country in the world? That’s a lot of potential for trouble. If your pipes are old, they may be corroding or have cracks that could lead to a leak. If this is the case, you’ll want to call a plumber right away. Also, be aware that if you’ve been recently doing work on your house (like replacing your dishwasher or washing machine), it’s likely that there will be some water damage from what was done during installation. These kinds of repairs can get expensive – but it’s good to know what might happen so you’re prepared if disaster strikes.
- Sewer Backups
In this case, the smell will be less intense, but it may still be present. A sewer backup can also cause water to drip from your walls and floors. If this happens, call professional flooded basement cleanup companies near me for help immediately.
- Poorly Graded Landscape
This is the most common cause of a flooded basement. Over time, water will accumulate in the soil around your home and ultimately seep into your basement. This can happen as a result of improper grading or drainage systems that are not functioning properly.
- Malfunctioning Appliances
Another common cause of a flooded basement is malfunctioning appliances. For example, if your sump pump fails to work because it is old or you do not have one, water will pool in your basement and cause damage to your possessions and structure.
- Natural Disasters
Whether it’s a hurricane or a tsunami, natural disasters can cause water damage to your home and its foundation. It might not be as common as some other causes on this list, but it can happen – and if it does, you’ll want to know how to handle it before anything else happens.
- Incorrectly Sealed Windows Or Doors
If your windows aren’t properly sealed, water will leak into your house and potentially cause major damage to your basement walls and flooring. It’s an easy fix if you catch it early enough, so make sure to check all of your windows for leaks.
Things To Do When You Have A Flooded Basement
Flooded basements are the worst. They can be caused by a leaky pipe, a burst pipe, heavy rain, or even an overflowing toilet. But no matter what caused it, you’re likely to be pretty annoyed when your basement is flooded. If you find yourself dealing with a flooded basement cleanup, here’s how to handle the situation:
- Ensure Safety
Your first priority is to ensure the safety of anyone who may be in the basement with you. Get out of the area if possible, and ensure no one else is left behind.
- Stop The Water Source
Once everyone is out of harm’s way, go down into the basement and try to stop whatever caused your flooding in the first place. If this is too much work for you at the moment (or if there are other people around), call a professional plumber in Calgary or a drain cleaner for help instead.
- Remove Standing Water
Use a wet/dry vacuum to remove any standing water, or if possible, use a pump to remove excess water. You can also use a shop vac or similar tool if your area is not too large.
- Dry Out The Area
Use fans and dehumidifiers to help dry out the area as much as possible. You may also want to consider using dehumidifier wipes, which can be placed directly on surfaces (especially carpet) and absorb water from them for up to 24 hours after application.
- Salvage Belongings
Floodwaters are often contaminated with sewage, so it’s important to clean and disinfect everything that is in your basement before storing or disposing of it. If you don’t want to throw away some items, wash them with hot water and dish soap and let them dry completely before stowing them away somewhere else in your home.
- Dispose Of Damaged Items
There are many ways to dispose of damaged items: donate them, sell them on Craigslist, or throw them away. If you’re going to throw something away, be sure not to put it in the trash! Instead, take your damaged goods down to your local recycling center or hazardous waste collection facility (call 311 for locations). These places will safely dispose of these items for no charge at all!
- Inspect For Damage
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important—you don’t want to move forward with any repairs or clean-up until you know what has been damaged by the water and how much time and dollars it will take to fix it. If there’s something that needs repair right away (like mold), then make sure to call a professional before you begin any other steps in this process.
- Clean And Disinfect
Once you’ve determined what needs repair immediately, it’s time to sit down and dirty with some cleaning supplies and disinfectants. There are lots of different types of disinfectants out there, so decide the best one that can work for your situation (like bleach or vinegar). You’ll want to use plenty of elbow grease here – make sure you clean everything completely.
- Address Mold Growth
If mold growth has been an issue in your basement before, it’s important to address it now before it gets out of control. Mold can cause health problems for those living in or near flooded basements, so it’s important that you address mold growth as soon as possible after a flood occurs so that it doesn’t get worse over time.
- Prevent Future Flooding
If you live in an area prone to flooding, make sure there’s no way for water to get into your basement by installing flood-proof doors and windows, adding waterproofing materials like polyethylene sheeting around doors and windows, or even raising your floor above the level of your yard.
How Can You Reduce the Risk of Basement Flooding?
Your basement is the best place to store your stuff and is perfect for a flood. It’s true! Basements are great for storing all those things you don’t have room for in your house, but when it rains, and the water comes rushing in, there’s nowhere for it to go but straight toward everything you’ve been trying to keep dry. But here’s the thing: You can reduce the risk of basement flooding. With these ten tips, you’ll be able to keep the water out of your basement – and keep it from ruining all that stuff you need to keep dry:
- Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts regularly.
- Ensure proper grading around the house to direct water away.
- Seal foundation cracks to prevent water seepage.
- Extend downspouts away from the pipe’s foundation.
- Install a sump pump with a battery backup.
- Use a backflow prevention valve in the sewer line.
- Install French drain system to redirect water.
- Place a water alarm in the basement for early detection.
- Keep basement drains clear and functional.
- Consider professional waterproofing solutions for added protection.
Don’t Take Risks! Call An Emergency Plumbing Service Provider in Calgary
Flooding can be a scary situation, but you don’t have to worry.
We’ve been there before! If your basement floods, it’s never fun, and it’s not something that just happens once in a blue moon. Your whole life can change in an instant once the water starts pouring into your basement.
But what if we told you there was a way to prevent that from happening? The truth is: there are many different ways to prevent flooding in your basement, but they all start with one thing: hiring the right plumbing service provider for the job.
If you live in Calgary, Alberta, and are looking for a company that understands how crucial it is to stop flooding in your home, then look no further than ClearView Services.
We have been providing our services to the Calgary area since 1996 and have built a reputation for handling any job, no matter how complex it may seem.
We have a team of skilled plumbers in Calgary ready to respond to any emergency situation. Our commitment is to ensure that your home or business is safe and sound as quickly as possible after it has been impacted by water damage.
We also offer 24-hour emergency Plumbing Services and Solutions in Calgary. So no matter what time of day or night it is, when you call ClearView Services, our Calgary plumbers will be there as soon as possible to help.
From our skilled technicians and top-of-the-line equipment to our friendly staff who care about helping people like you, we’re confident that we can get your basement back on track quickly. Whether it is a simple pipe replacement or a whole renovation, we can handle it all.
So if you have a flooded basement, give us a call today at 587-912-1432. We’ll arrive on time (or even better than that) and get the job done fast!
