Flooding outside your home, in the streets, is never fun. You know what’s worse? If you answered ‘flooding right inside your home’, then you’re right! This can be especially tricky for that part of your house that’s below ground level: the basement.
It can happen any time, even at times you least expect it. The likelihood is higher during periods of rainy or stormy weather, but basements can flood during dry seasons as well. Let’s check the reasons why basements flood so we can see if there’s anything that can be done in case you’re stuck in this unsavoury situation.
Gravity
It’s kind of hard to pin the blame on one of the most basic physical forces we deal with on a daily basis, but it is what it is. Gravity will naturally lead water from a high point to a lower point, so it’s important to know if your basement is at a lower point than the groundwater level around your home.
That, combined with any cracks on your basement walls or foundation floor, makes a perfect recipe for basement flooding. That’s because gravity will do its best to lead that groundwater to any openings it can find on lower planes.
Lot grading
Things can be compounded by poor lot grading, which occurs when the land or the ground surface around your home is sloped in such a way that water flow tends to move towards your home instead of away from it. Downspouts could compound this issue when they are positioned poorly as well, further diverting more water straight to your home.
Unmaintained foundations
Cracks can develop in a house’s foundations over years or decades, especially where external factors like earthquakes or construction around the area can affect the foundations’ integrity. These cracks and fissures will let water seep into your basement.
Plumbing issues
Because the pipes used for plumbing are usually routed around and through the basement, it’s important to make sure that they are well-maintained. If there are leaks or breaks in the piping, then the water supply or wastewater can start accumulating in areas in and around your basement.
This is an example of flooding that can occur even during dry weather, so be sure to periodically check the seals in your water supply lines and wastewater pipes.
Poor sewage system management
This happens when the sewage system in your area is overloaded, leading to full and backed-up sewers, which then leads to sewage flowing right back into your home. That’s not a pretty picture to imagine, but it’s even worse when the sewage starts entering through fixtures such as sinks or drains in your basement.
Lack of drainage
If your basement runs the risk of accumulating water over stretches of time, it’s only fitting that you equip it with ways to expel said water. Invest in a foundation drainage system that continuously works to discharge the groundwater or rainwater around your home.
Flooding in the basement can be caused by a number of issues, or even a combination of the aforementioned reasons. If you don’t want to take the risk of diagnosing the flooding on your own, make sure you contact professionals who can properly assess and address the problems plaguing your basement.