You can endure basement flooding in wet or dry weather in Central Maryland!

When a basement floods, it’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare. There is no set time for a basement flood to happen and can come from a number of different causes. Do you know if your basement is at risk of flooding? If so, how can you prevent a flooded basement? Can you take measures to stop or minimize the flooding?

Causes of Basement Floods

Most basement flooding occurs during heavy rains, flash floods or rapid snowmelt in the spring in colder areas of the country, but basement flooding can even occur during dry weather. What are the circumstances that can cause your basement to flood?

Wet Weather Flooding

Excessive surface water inflow is what most people think of when they imagine their basement flooding. Heavy rains can cause a flash flood, causing streams of water flowing down the street and pouring in through window wells.

Excessive groundwater near the foundation in homes that were built without a drainage system to safeguard against excessive groundwater or homes with inadequate drainage systems can suffer due to the rising water table, allowing water to seep in through cracks and holes in the foundation.

Sewer backups happen when a sewer drain is blocked or overloaded during heavy rain. If the sewer backup rises above the level of your basement, wastewater will flow toward your home, coming in through the lowest drain in your basement, which is typically a floor drain, shower, sink or toilet.

Flooding During Dry Weather

Failed sewer line laterals are a leading cause of dry weather flooding. Did you now that as a home owner, you are responsible for the sanitary sewer laterals going from your home to the street? The sanitary laterals are connected from your home to the main sewer line in the street. If these laterals get blocked from a clog if you flush something down the toilet that you shouldn’t, or tree roots invade the line, then that can cause your home’s wastewater to flow up through the lowest drain area in your basement and cause a flood.

Plumbing system failures can come from burst pipes, a corroded water heater, frozen pipes or appliance failure’s and can all lead to basement flooding.

It’s recommended to have your sewer laterals checked yearly to see if there are any blockages or blockages forming and have and pipes or appliances that use water checked periodically to prevent what could be a costly mess.

If you suffer a water event, such as a sewer backup or flooding, Call Restoration 1 Central Maryland to assess your damage and give you repair options.