3 Sources of Basement Flooding

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Flooded basement in Liberty MO.

Four Potential Causes of Flooding

When you bought or built your home with a basement in Liberty, MO, you may not have considered the different ways it could flood. A basement flood can happen from any side, including the floor, walls or ceiling. Here are four potential causes of flooding in your basement and tips on how to fix them.

1. Clogged Sewer Lines

Most clogged sewer lines are out of your control. Heavy rain or debris in municipal lines can cause the sewer lines in your house to back up, and the lower levels tend to be affected first. If sewage backs up into your basement, you must hire water restoration specialists to remedy the problem, as you do not need to handle contaminated water. They can dry and clean your basement effectively.

2. Storm Water

During regular rainstorms, your home's drainage system is probably sufficient to keep floodwaters away from your basement. Heavy flooding around your home, however, can trickle in from the place where the foundation meets your exterior walls or through cracks in the foundation itself. A drain system connected to a sump pump can help you with this problem, but it's still a good idea to have professionals make sure the area is clean and dry.

3. Pipe Problems

If a pipe bursts anywhere above your basement, it is possible for the resulting flood to end up in the basement through the ceiling or the walls. Turn off the water source to the pipe as soon as you discover the problem, and call professionals who specialize in pipe repair. They can fix the pipe and replace the damage the leak caused. A quick response is the best way to keep this problem from getting worse.

Flooding in your basement can occur from several sources. It is a good idea to take precautions to prevent it, but it's also important to know whom to call and how to fix it when a basement flood does occur.