Flooded Basement - Everything You Need To Know

A flooded basement is a nightmare! I've been a victim for several times now and so I have listed down a few things which everybody needs to know - both prevention and cleanup tips - about flooded basement incidents.

Why do you have a flooded basement?

Water gets into your basement through two sources:
1. Through sewer backups from your basement drain. A continuous downpour for a few days can cause flooding. Surcharges from infiltration and inflow are created by sanitary sewer every time rain water enters into the sewer system through cracks in the home sewer pipes. Sewer blockages from tree roots, grease, debris and deteriorated performance cause this phenomenon.
2. Through floors, windows and walls. If your drainage or grading does not work properly around your home, storm water can seep easily through these surfaces. Malfunctioning sump pumps or gutter can also cause water to enter into your home basement.

How can I prevent my home from having a flooded basement?
1. Older home models are prone to having a flooded basement over newer ones. Check your downspouts to make sure that they are not connected to the sanitary sewer. They should drain in the yard or street. Your footer drain connections as well as your roof can add excessive water to enter into your sewer system.
2. Always clean your gutters and keep them free of debris. Make sure that your sump pumps and drainage system is properly working. You can do this by closely monitoring your drainage system regularly. Another way to ensure that your drainage is properly working is by running water from a hose through home drains. This will allow you to check your drainage for blockages.
3. Check the grading around your home to ensure that water is kept away from the structures. If you notice a puddle, simply fill this area with land.
4. Avoid dumping paint, grease and other thick liquids into your sink. This will prevent sewer blockage. Don't flush items unsuitable for sanitary sewer disposal - paper towels, feminine products, diaper wipes and the like. This will also reduce the risks of having a flooded basement.
5. Make sure that you have sewer backup coverage from your insurance carrier. In most cases, this coverage comes in a separate rider of your policy.
6. Before purchasing or renting a home, always ask whether the location is a flood-prone area. Homes situated in lower elevations are prone to experience flooding and have a flooded basement.
7. To ensure safety, do not ever attempt to enter a flooded basement until electricity has been switched off from the main switch.
8. Proper cleanup procedures need to be strictly followed when sewer backup occurs.
9. Remove mature trees around the vicinity area of your sewer line. This will avoid problems concerning root invasion.
10. Be ready. You should know if your location is a flood-prone area. When downpour occurs, consider relocation to ensure safety for the whole family.

Keep these tips in mind and you are sure to beat the horrors of your flooded basement all the time!

About the Author

Byron Zoucks is a house issue disaster writer for West Redding, CT sewer backup and Danbury, Saugatuck CT sewer back up

Author Profile: ZouckB

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