What are the Main Causes of Basement Flooding?
Every homeowner is already aware that the basement is one of the most vulnerable areas for flooding. Basement flooding is most likely to happen after a severe thunderstorm or outdoor flooding, but even a moderate rain can result in a flooded basement as ground water finds its way in. It is important to understand how ground water enters your basement so you can take measures to stop it. The following are the common factors that allow ground water into your basement.
Many homeowners overlook this detail, but the grading of your yard around your home is crucial. The ground must slope away from your house to help the water drain as far away as possible. If your yard slopes towards your home, the excess water will drain the same way which greatly increases the risk of basement flooding. If excess water pools throughout your yard, this is a sign of very poor grading.
The gutters are very important for preventing basement flooding because they carry rain water away from the home to drain. When the gutters become clogged or broken, they overflow and allow the water to build up near the side of your home. If the ground near your home soaks up too much water, this ground water will end up in your basement.
The foundation is the final line of defense against basement flooding. If your foundation has cracks, preventing basement flooding from ground water is nearly impossible. Many homeowners are unaware of cracks in their foundation until they sustain flooding in their basement. You must inspect your foundation for any cracks and make sure they are sealed before it leads to flooding. You should consider water proofing your basement as well to keep out ground water.
How to Prevent Ground Water Flooding
The best defense against ground water flooding is prevention. Check the grade of your yard near your home to make sure it slopes away from the house and regularly clean and maintain your gutters. Inspecting your foundation for cracks will help you find potential issues before the flooding happens. If you sustain significant flooding in your basement, you must call a professional for water damage restoration immediately. These professionals remove water from flooded basements and they can also provide sewage cleanup if there is sewage mixed in with the flooding.