There can be many reasons for a flooded basement. The condition usually occurs when a large quantity of water gathers in the basement. It can happen due to many reasons and the consequences that follow are numerous. The stagnant water can pose a serious threat. It can affect the well being and safety of the house. The standing water is not good for the hygiene of the house. A flooded basement can also cause many other damages to the house as it can lead to the growth of mold, it can damage the foundation of the house, stored items can go to waste, or it can also damage furniture. There are instances where house owners undertake the task of restoring a flooded basement. Being a layperson, they know little about the extent of damage and right measures to take. This often results in more damage. A small amount of accumulated water can lead to water damage. In this case, you should bring in a restoration specialist.
What Causes a Flooded Basement?
A flood in the basement can occur due to many reasons. The water sources that are both outside and inside are mainly the cause.
· Outside Sources Can Cause Water Damage
A flood in the basement is often due to the outside sources. Melting of snow, storms, rainfall, etc. can lead to basement flooding. The accumulation of water in the basement can lead to some serious damage to the foundation of the house.
· Leaking or Broken Pipes
Broken or leaking pipes is the leading cause of basement floods and basement water damage. If the standing water is clean, chances are that the cause is a broken or leaky pipe. For a temporary fix, you can turn the valves off and stop the supply of water.
· Sewage Backup
However, if you see that the water accumulated in the basement is dirty and has odour then there is a good chance that the water is from a sewage backup. In order to prevent further accumulation, do not use the bathrooms, washing machine or even run water through any drain. This will only lead to the accumulation of dirty water in the basement. As it contains infectious germs so the accumulated water could be very harmful to your health.
Others Causes of Standing Water in the Basement are:
1. Poor drainage system.
2. Water on the surface dribbling down to the foundation.
3. The hydrostatic forces pushing groundwater up through your foundation.
4. Stormwater coming from the sewage.
One of the important things that you should do is to keep a distance from the stagnant water. Nullify any idea of stepping into the standing water as it puts you at risk of getting an electrical shock.
It is good to cut off all the power supply and turning all the appliances off. Do not touch any electrical appliance if you are standing in the water. Just to be on the safe side, you can seek the help of an electrician.
If possible, detect the source of water and try to cut off the flow. Some of the water sources include leakage in pipes, broken pipes, groundwater or sewage backup. The measures you take to cut the source of supply solely depends on the water flooding.
In order to get rid of the odor or moisture, you can open the windows for ventilation.
Make sure you pump the water out as soon as possible. For a layman, this job might not be easy and for this reason, it is a better idea to rely on the services of a professional team who have proper tools like vacuum pumps that can pump out the water. The team of professionals can also help in cleanup and restoration.
How to Prevent Flood in the Basement?
There are many ways that can help you in preventing flooded basements once you have dealt with the situation. Some of them are given below:
· Secure and Insulate Pipes
Prevent thawing by insulating pipes. This is one of the ways to prevent any leakage or even bursting.
· Sewage Backwater Valves Must be Maintained
To prevent any septic water coming into your home, you must maintain the sewage backwater valves.
· Carefully Flush and Dump
Showing carelessness while flushing can be the cause of blockage in sewage systems. Apart from toilet paper, anything that you dump, or flush can affect the sewage and pose a big threat. So be careful while dumping or flushing.
· Fix drainage Problems
Try and address drainage issues before they turn into larger problems. If you do need to restore or remove water from your basement, call the experts. Emergency101 – 1-844-435-7101