The basement is a personal space for every homeowner in Toronto. We use the basement as a home office, recreational space, game zone, or to store valuable stuff. But one morning you wake up and suddenly see your basement flooding and turning into a mini swimming pool. You see your furniture is ruined, your electronics have gone bad, and the carpet is soggy. No one wants to face such a scenario in life. Basement flooding isn’t just a nightmare but can damage your property too. This situation happens especially during heavy rain or snow melt.
But the question here is, what is the real reason behind it for that matter? Well, it’s not always one reason with which you can stand but there are multiple reasons behind it. Some usual suspects can be drainage issues, cracks in the foundation, or sump pump failure. Definitely, a flooded basement is something that we can’t deal with.
In this case, understanding the reasons behind the flooded basement is important. We have made this job easy for you by providing five common reasons behind water in the basement. You can go through each reason and evaluate your basement issues according to that.
What Is The Source Of Basement Flooding?
When water penetrates your basement, it creates a heavy flood. There are multiple reasons involved behind a flooded basement, such as drainage problems, water backup, sanitary sewer backup, poor lot grading, foundation being unmaintained, problems in pipes, and much more. One thing to remember here is that basements tend to face flooding because they are the lowest levels of a house, mostly built below the ground level. Therefore, as a homeowner, you can face basement floods in your house.
How Long Does It Take To Dry Out A Flooded Basement?
To completely dry out a flooded basement, it takes about 2 to 7 days. It all depends on how severe the flood was and what method you are using to clear out the flood. For example, you can turn on the fan, remove the water from your basement, and use dehumidifiers. Although heavy flooding can actually damage your property in a severe manner, the moisture may take time to dry off. So, in this case, you need professional assistance on a quick basis.
Why Is My Water Backing Up In My Basement?
When water is backed up in your basement, it creates so many problems in your life. Your valuable belongings are at risk and you don’t know how to tackle this. But before knowing what to do, it’s important to know the reason behind it, and only then can it be treated properly. To make things easy for you, we have listed below 5 main reasons behind the basement flood so you can act accordingly.
1. Sewer Backup
When your sewer line gets clogged, there is no way for water to flow smoothly. In this case, your basement can get flooded. This situation happens when there is heavy snow or rain and it creates blockages in the pipes. On the other hand, debris, tree roots, and water waste can also get collected in the pipeline and impact your sewer system. Also, sewer backups are a dangerous situation as they can cause health issues as well because the water is quite dirty and full of bacteria.
2. Fault In The Sump Pump
Sump pumps are oxygen for basements. They prevent water from entering the basement and keep your basement safe and sound. The primary job of the sump pump is to collect the water in the sump pit. But if the pump fails, it creates water buildup and turns into a basement flooding situation. There can be mechanical issues or a clogged discharge pipe in the sump pump, which can be the reason behind the sump pump failure.
3. Leakages In Plumbing
Those small leaks in the plumbing system can be expensive in the future. The minor leakages in pipes can create bigger problems and may become the reason behind the flooded basement. That’s why it gets so crucial to check the leakages in your house, especially in your basement area where you store your important stuff. Check your pipes properly and put them on the maintenance meter to be proactive at first.
4. Heavy Rainfall
During heavy rainfall, your basement can become the first attack place. The rainwater first gets into the ground area only and can become the main reason behind the flooded basement. You need a foolproof drainage system in advance so you can stop water from coming into your basement. When too much rain falls in a short period, the ground doesn’t absorb the water properly. The excess water then goes to the basement and clogs the sewer lines too.
5. Cracks In Basement
If the structure of your basement has cracks, it welcomes water easily. Treating cracks and fixing them becomes important as they can go really bad as time passes. The older the cracks get, the higher the chances of water getting into your basement. You can’t afford to have even a single crack as this can let in the moisture and create dampness on your walls.
Conclusion
You may be aware of Toronto flooding or heavy Ottawa flooding. Some areas are prone to heavy rainfalls which creates issues for homeowners. Therefore, it’s quite important to keep your basement dry and in good condition. All the above reasons are valid when you face a flooded basement problem. So, learn in advance and find the urgent cure for it.
Don’t Sleep With Leaks, Call Us For The Best Plumbing Services
Basement flooding is quite an expensive and messy business for you. When the excessive water enters your basement, it creates an indoor swimming pool that looks quite out of the ordinary. Fortunately, knowing the real reasons behind the flooded basement, you can evaluate the severity and exercise base flood elevation practices to stop any issues from occurring in the future.
