A flooded basement can be overwhelmingly stressful and downright devastating. If your basement is finished, thousands of dollars in building materials can be lost. Irreplaceable photographs or priceless family heirlooms may be affected. Once you get through the mess of cleaning everything up, no doubt you will want to take the necessary steps to not only figure out what caused the flooding, but also to prevent it from happening again.
Possible Causes
Ground Water – Hydrostatic pressure can push water in through cracks in the basement floor.
Surface Water – Sources of surface water, such as gutters or improper grading, can lead to excess water around the perimeter of the home.
Storm Water Backup – Water from municipal storm sewers can back up into the basement.
Sanitary Sewer – Sanitary Sewer water can back up due to a clog in your home’s sewer lines.
Steps to Take
- Check gutters for proper drainage. If gutters are clogged and overflowing, this can lead to significant water intrusion during a very heavy rainfall. Also, make sure that your downspout is draining far enough away from the foundation.
- Check the slope or grade of the areas around your home. Make sure the ground or a concrete pad is not sloped toward your home. This is an open invitation for water to enter.
- What if your flooded basement is due to storm water or sewer water? A licensed plumber can determine what is the best course of action. They may suggest installing a backflow preventer or recommend snaking your drains.
When the Problem is Ground Water or Surface Water…
If the flooding is due to ground water or surface water that cannot be controlled, a basement waterproofing system is probably the best option. An exterior basement waterproofing system will redirect water away from your foundation and prevent it from entering through the basement walls and into the home. An interior basement waterproofing system can help to keep ground water under control by draining it to a sump pump. We offer both interior and exterior basement waterproofing as well as a combination of the two. We can determine where the water is coming from and recommend which type of system will work best for your home. You can learn more about basement waterproofing by clicking here.
Our service area includes the following areas of Northeast Ohio:
- Stark County, including Canton, Massillon, and Alliance.
- Summit County, including Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, and Stow.
- Wayne County, including Wooster and Orrville.
- Medina County, including Medina, Brunswick, and Wadsworth.
Contact Pioneer for a basement evaluation (free for homeowners). We can come up with a solution to relieve your basement problems permanently so that you never have to deal with a flooded basement again! Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our latest blogs.
