If you’ve dealt with basement flooding before, you know it can quickly become a nightmare. Even small amounts of floodwater can trickle below the surface and wreak structural damage, even harming your home’s foundation. Floods can also be a breeding ground for pests, mold, and contaminants in the air you breathe. Without a trusted water damage restoration company, addressing these issues can feel impossible.
Whether you’re hoping to prevent basement flooding from occurring in the first place or you’re wondering what to do when faced with these issues, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE can always help.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what causes basement flooding, steps that can be taken to help prevent it, and how our water damage restoration company can assist.
Why Basement Flooding Happens and How to Help Prevent It
3 Common Causes of Basement Flooding
Why does basement flooding happen? Some issues are predictable and preventable, while others can occur with little warning and in spite of all prevention measures taken. Here are a few common issues that our water damage restoration company has encountered:
- Poor drainage. Drainage problems can occur due to the slope of the ground on your property, clogged downspouts, lack of a sump pump, sump pump failure, or related problems. This can be a particular concern in older buildings. As a result, groundwater can more easily seep into your home or business.
- Heavy precipitation. From hurricane season to high volumes of melting snowfall, sometimes the weather simply isn’t on your side. In situations with unusually heavy precipitation, flooding is a common and unfortunate result.
- Plumbing issues. All kinds of plumbing issues can trigger a basement flood—including a burst or frozen pipe and sewer line issues. When these problems occur, water and waste materials can easily flood your basement, requiring immediate attention.
How to Minimize the Risk of Basement Flooding
If you’re dreading the thought of basement flooding, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are several proactive measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of this problem. Here are a few recommendations from our water damage restoration company:
- Maintain gutters and sump pumps. There are plenty of systems in place to limit the damage from flooding. You want to keep these parts of your home in good working order. You’ll want to clear your gutters twice a year and schedule regular maintenance for your sump pump if you have one. Also, consider installing a backup sump pump if you live in an area that is especially prone to flooding.
- Regular maintenance of plumbing. Similarly, regular maintenance of your pipes can reduce the potential for flooding—and keep your plumbing systems running smoothly, too. If your sink is backing up, gurgling, or generating odd smells, contact plumbers quickly. Most systems should be checked at least once a year.
- Safeguard your basement. It’s always a good idea to ensure your basement is properly secured. That includes sealing any cracks in the foundation, checking to make sure doors and windows have effective seals, and even applying waterproof paint to help protect your basement walls.
What Happens if Your Basement Floods?
If basement flooding has already occurred, it’s important to respond quickly and carefully to protect yourself and your property. Our water damage restoration company always recommends the EPA’s comprehensive resources on flooding, but here are a few general tips to keep in mind:
- Prioritize safety. Your safety and the safety of those around you should be your first concern. You want to make sure you can safely evacuate flooded areas at once. If electrical hazards are a concern, you’ll want to turn off the electricity, assuming you can do so safely.
- Address the source of flooding. If flooding is related to your plumbing systems, you’ll want to turn off your main water supply as quickly as possible—assuming, again, it’s safe to do so. You’ll also want to contact plumbers who can handle any ongoing issues.
- Contact your insurance company. You’ll want to alert your insurance company as quickly as possible. They may be able to help you connect with plumbers and restoration services. If it’s safe to re-enter your home, you may want to take photographs and video of the damage.
- Get started with a water damage restoration company. It’s important to get water damage professionals into your home or business as soon as possible so that ongoing water issues are addressed. 1-800 WATER DAMAGE can take immediate steps to clean up damage and restore your space.
24/7 and Emergency Services from Our Water Damage Restoration Company
If you’re dealing with flooding issues—in your basement or elsewhere on your property—1-800 WATER DAMAGE offers 24/7 and emergency restoration services. With locations across the country, our water damage restoration company can remove water, dry up moisture, treat mold and odors, and address structural damage. When things couldn’t be harder, we’re always here to help out.
Our water damage restoration company offers comprehensive services to treat and restore your property. One call solves it all, so contact 1-800 WATER DAMAGE today.
