How To Prevent Basement Floods

By Author: Leo Nov
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Basement floods can be caused by either exterior or interior forces, sometimes a combination of both. To prevent a basement flood, it is important to look at both areas and take the proper precautionary steps. Some of these you can do yourself and some will require the help of a flood damage prevention specialist or plumber.

External Precautions

External precautions refers to the steps you can take outside your home to prevent flooding in your basement. Most of these precautions have to do with drainage. A home drainage system, beginning at the gutters and downspouts, and leading to the footer drains and the slope of the property, is the number one cause of flooding in homes. Make sure that each of the elements of your home drainage system are clear of obstruction and sloped properly to ensure a downward flow.

Problems with the sewage or septic system on your property can also lead to a flooded basement. Empty your septic tank on a regular basis and make sure that all sewer drains are clear of debris. Sewers are most often the responsibility of the municipality or town that you live in so make sure that ...
... they are cleaning them out on a regular basis.

Downward facing slopes can also be a contributor to flooding in your basement. If water runs off a slope into your foundation, the pressure will eventually penetrate even the best sealed walls. Preventing this can be done by planting shrubs or trees to disrupt water flow or digging drainage trenches that can redirect it.

Internal Precautions

Once you have addressed potential problem areas outside your home, you can look at internal factors that could cause flooding in your basement. These issues are usually related to your plumbing, your internal drainage, or cracks in the interior walls of your basement.

Plumbing should be examined by a professional. A simple inspection will often reveal problems that are fairly easy to fix. Older pipes and couplings can be replaced and hoses connecting washer machines and other household appliances should be checked for cracks. If you live in an older home with an antiquated plumbing system, you may want to start replacing it in small pieces to keep costs down. Your local plumber can point out the most critical areas and recommend a plan for overhaul. Doing this before a plumbing-related flood will save you thousands of dollars in repair costs later on.

Internal drainage includes the drains and any sump pumps that are installed in your basement. Addressing your drainage issues on the outside of the house and sealing your walls will eliminate most basement flooding, but there are still extreme situations where your basement will need to drain quickly, such as natural disasters or plumbing breaks. Make sure that all drains are clear and that pumps are working properly. It's also a good idea to have a sump pump with an alternate power source for back-up in the event of a power outage.

Leaks and cracks in your basement walls can be sealed with polymers and sealants. This is an important step but will be ineffective if you don't address other external and internal factors. Examine your home and its drainage system thoroughly before incurring the expense of sealing your basement. Follow each of these steps and you will find that floods will be one headache you will not have to deal with.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about water damage and flooded basement, visit RestorationSOS.com