Flooded Basement:
What to Do

Basements are inherently vulnerable to flooding since they are located below ground level where many pipes and systems are positioned and ground shifts happen. Even if your basement has never flooded before, it is still possible that yours will be affected at some point. If you have a wet basement, this can lead to a domino effect of serious problems.

You may say, “My basement flooded! What should I do?” DO NOT immediately just get into the water in the basement and attempt to remove it. Although this makes sense as an initial reaction to the problem, it could be life-threatening. The basement flooding could have risen over electrical outlets sending an electrical charge throughout the water. In this case, professional help will be needed.

Below is a full guide on basement flooding, its sources, how to handle cleanup, and how to prevent a wet basement problem from occurring again. If you need immediate help and are wondering who to call for a flooded basement, we can help you prepare for the call to find someone who can help with the cleanup.

Cleaning a Flooded Basement: What to Do

• Make sure it is safe to go down into the basement.

  • Anytime there is water in the basement, you need to first consider the fact that it may have risen above an electrical outlet and there may be an electrical current running through the water.

    
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    You need to find the main breaker and cut off power to the area. If you do not do this you risk electrocution if you touch the water. If you cannot reach the breaker without touching the water, then you need to call in a team of basement flooding repair professionals to help.

  • The water filling your basement could be contaminated by sewage, which is another health hazard that requires experienced professionals as well as protective gear.

    

  Another safety concern that can arise is if the flooding is so significant that it damages the integrity of the building materials.

• If it is safe, find the source of the water.

  If your basement flooding is on the less severe end and it is safe to go down to investigate the issue, you will need to determine the source of the water infiltration. See the above possible causes as places to start.

• Make some calls for basement flood cleanup.

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    First, call a plumbing or water damage restoration specialist to schedule the next possible appointment. There are many companies to choose from that offer basement flood cleanup services. You should call a professional for immediate help.

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    Then call your insurance company to determine what is covered under your current plan and what you are liable for.

  If the source of the flood is due to backup of city sewer lines, then you should call and report the issue to your municipality.

• dry the basement.

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    When wet basements just have puddles of water spread around the room, you can use a wet vacuum to begin the cleanup and water removal process.

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    Since basements are not well ventilated areas by nature, it is also a good idea to bring in dehumidifiers and fans during the drying period.

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    Remove any porous materials like fabrics to air out in a better ventilated area. If materials are wet for too long, then mold can begin to grow on them. This process can happen in as little as two days.

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    When mold grows on porous materials, they will likely have to be thrown away. Wet drywall will also likely need to be replaced since mold can be growing behind it, which can cause health problems for people nearby.

  If you have actual flooding with water raised above the ground, then you will need to call in professionals to help you with the cleanup and pump out the water. Flooded basement cleanup companies are usually available for 24 hour emergency services and open 7 days a week.

• Determine what can be saved and what is trash.

  Throw away your materials that have been water damaged or contaminated with unclean water or mold.

  Inspect all of the wood and drywall in the basement to make sure it is still in good condition. If it is not, then you may need to pay someone to replace them.

  If materials have a mildewy smell but are still salvageable, then take these items to get professionally cleaned.

Water in Basement: Potential Causes

When basement flooding affects your home, using your leak detection sklls and finding the source of the water is the first key step. Sometimes the cause will be obvious because flooding occurs after a large storm, but sometimes the flooding will pop up out of nowhere and lead you to a pipe problem or foundation crack you previously did not know existed. This guide will help you navigate the many scenarios in which you may experience a wet basement.

The main potential causes for water in the basement include:

• Heavy rainfall or rapid snow melt
• Foundation cracks
• Issues with the sewer system
• Improper sealing of basement walls and floor
• Sump pump problems
• Weeping tile blockage
• Location of your home / grade of the slope surrounding it
• Basement leaks

Heavy Rainfall or Rapid Snow Melt

If you have ever walked downstairs to see water coming into the basement after rain, you are not alone. Wet basements are an extremely common problem. Sometimes heavy rainfall or a great deal of snow melting very quickly can oversaturate the ground around your home and leak into your basement.

issues with the sewer system

• OLD AGE
• TREE ROOTS
• GROUND SHIFTS THAT CAUSE CRACKS

The newer standard of sewage lines are made of plastic, which are more durable than the older systems of cast iron and clay.

This can be very dangerous to people living in your home because of the hazardous bacteria in these pipes.

Another way that pipes lead to basement flooding is when there is a clog or backup in the sanitary sewer system. Sewer backup in the basement can be extremely problematic and lead to water flowing from the pipes back into your home.

• Diapers and wipes
• Hair
• Any paper products that are not toilet paper
• Pet waste
• Feminine hygiene products
• Cooking oils and grease
• Cleaning wipes

Municipal storm sewer systems can also experience backup when excess leaves and other debris clog up the pipes and start pumping water into the surrounding ground that may not be fit to handle it. This can put more pressure on pipes and foundation, creating cracks as pathways for the water to get through and into your basement.

sump pump problems

A sump pump is designed to help pump excess water away from the home.

When the groundwater level reaches a certain point and starts to drain into the sump pit, then the sump pump is supposed to automatically turn on and begin removing the water from the home and into the surrounding lawn or storm sewer system.

Unfortunately, just like all household systems sump pumps are not always reliable. Sump pump failure can occur due to a power outage or improper maintenance, which can then cause overflow in the sump pit and lead to basement flooding.

It is good to equip your sump pump with a backup power supply. Installing a 120 volt battery is recommended.

location of your home

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  If the grade of the land surrounding your home is slanted toward the house, then you are significantly more likely to endure basement flooding than if the slope was down and away from your home.

  This is because that slope causes rainwater to flow directly toward your home rather than away.

• One way to check and see if the grade of your surrounding lawn is an issue is to walk around your house while it is raining and see if water is pooling in places next to your house. If so, then you have got a problem. This is one of those issues that does not have a quick fix.

  

  Adjustments can be made to your lawn and the surrounding area, but these will come at a high price.

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  The city in which you live can also have an effect on your basement flooding issues. If you live in a large city with a lot of people living close together, storm sewers can become more easily overloaded. Living near a lake or river can also increase your chances of seeing water in the basement.

foundation cracks

The sooner you spot them, the more likely you are to prevent a large basement flooding issue.

Brand new houses are actually more vulnerable to foundation cracks than an older home. This is because new houses take time to settle, which will inevitably lead to vertical cracks in the foundation. The settling of a house can take a couple of years.

For this reason, it is good to leave the basement of a new house unfinished so you can better spot the cracks when they form before finishing it.

improper sealing of basement

• Basements should be sealed to protect them from water intrusion.

  There should be tar sealant lining on both sides of the foundation walls. Improper sealing can lead to water coming up through the basement floor and walls.

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• Just like with cracks, if your basement is not sealed properly water from heavy rains will have an opening straight into your basement.

weeping tile blockage

When this happens, the ground water is no longer being drained properly and can rise above the basement and leak in through the sump or foundation cracks, causing basement flooding.

Basement leaks

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  Cracked or broken pipes can cause a significant amount of flooding very quickly. Pipes with loose joints that need tightening or replacing can start as slow leaks into the basement and grow into something much bigger if not fixed.

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  Leaking basement wall: Water leaking into the basement through the walls is a sign of potential cracks in your foundation.

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  Window wells: If your basement leaks when it rains then a possible culprit is window wells. There’s a chance you’ll need to replace your basement windows.

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  Water Heater: They are know to cause some floods and leaking can come from the top or bottom. Make sure you address the leak immediately as it could lead to bigger problems.