Having frequent basement flood isn’t something you should be ashamed of. In fact, there are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 incidents in Canada on an annual basis. So how do basements flood? What are some of the causes of basement flooding? Well, here are some useful and eye-opening information of the causes of basement flooding:
1. Drainage System
A majority of basement flood occurs because your drainage system has stopped doing its job. As rain falls or snow melts, the foundation around your home gets filled with water. Water can seep through your basement windows and leaky cracks in the walls and floors of your home.
2. Sump Pump
Some homes are more vulnerable to unexpected weather conditions than others. Therefore, you invest in basement waterproofing to help divert and remove excess water from your home’s foundation. Basement floods simply occur because you don’t have a sump pump installed in your home. Also, depending on the location of your home, you might need at least 2 or 3 sump pumps to prevent water from entering your home. You should consult with a licensed and insured plumber to help you determine the best basement waterproofing solution for your home.
3. Sewer Backup
One of the most common causes for basement floods is sewer backup. Sewer backup is caused by snow, flood and heavy rainfall. Excess water is pushed into your home through the drainage pipes in your basement from the city’s sewer lines. In addition, if you have been pouring use cooking oil or leftover food down the drain, it will eventually lead to blocked sewer pipes
Note: A great way to protect yourself from a sewer backup is to install a backwater valve to prevent excess water from entering your home.
4. Sewer Lines
We previously mentioned that blocked, damaged or disconnected sewer lines can cause floods. Did you know the same rule goes for regular pipes within your house? There are many factors that cause pipe damage such as corrosion, tree roots and broken seals. In addition, your pipes are a lot more vulnerable in the winter. Your pipes can burst during the winter as the water expands causing an increase in pressure inside the pipe.
Note: If you think that your pipes have been damage in any way, you should contact a plumber to schedule a sewer camera inspection.
5. Gutters
Forgetting to clean the gutters is a normal thing, but a very dangerous one as well. Gutters exist so that rain water can travel as further away from our attics and walls as possible. If you haven’t cleaned them for only 1 year, debris, pesticides, leaves and even bird nests can begin to clog their pathways. And when excess water cannot pass through the gutters it goes straight to the attic, looking for a place to hide and cause unwanted damage such as mold growth, wall cracks, leaks and rot.
After it enters the attic, it makes holes through the walls and travels as deep as possible – entering our beloved basements. Another thing uncleaned gutters do is that they gain weight over time and detach from their mechanism, usually directing the water straight into a basement or a window – resulting in window damage and basement floods.
Note: It is recommended to clean your gutters at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Also, if you have survived a severe storm or saw ice around the roof, take time off your schedule and clean those dirty gutters.
