Basement Flooding: What to Do, Solutions, Detections, Causes and Preventions

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Basement flooding is water rising in the basement from 1 millimeter to several feet. The major 8 reasons for basement flooding are ice or snow melting, poor drainage systems, heavy rainfall, sump pump failures, issues in the foundation, sewer backups, natural disasters, and surface water runoff into the basement.

Once the basement is flooded you should disconnect the electricity to improve the safety then you should control the water source by yourself or call a specialist. You should keep some evidence of basement flooding to claim the insurance too. Once everything is done you can clean and repair the basement and waterproof it to prevent future basement flooding.

Basement flooding can cause these 6 negative impacts such as growing mold and mildew, reducing structural stability, increasing health risks, reducing property values, increasing property damages, and increasing pest infestation in the house.

You can stop the basement flooding by waterproofing the basement, installing the basement drain system, sealing the foundation cracks, improving basement ventilation, designing the basement landscape properly, and increasing the landscape grading out from the basement.

You can install a sump pump, drainage system, and waterproofing membrane, maintain gutters and downspouts, and grade the garden to control the basement flooding. You can detect this severe problem from its beginning by using a basement flooding alarm and basement flooding sensor.

You can remove water from the flooded basement by using a sump pump, using manual water removal, and using a dehumidifier. You should clean the basement, remove the musty smell after the basement and disinfect a flooded basement by following the proper step-by-step guide.

You can prevent basement flooding during heavy rain by unclogging the drains in the garden, diverting the downspout water away from the basement, checking the function of the sump pump, and being ready for any failure during the heavy rain.

What to Do First When the Basement is Flooded?

When the basement is flooded, the first thing to do is ensure safety. Before entering the flooded basement, you should switch off the electricity. It helps to prevent unexpected electric shocks due in wet areas.

Secondly, you should identify the flooding source whether it is water seepage or water intrusion to the basement. If you can control the water source, you should stop it to prevent further water accumulation in the basement.

Third, if you can’t control the water source, you should call for help such as professionals like plumbers, or a flood restoration service.

Then you should take photos, videos, and necessary footage of basement flooding to claim insurance.

After having the necessary footage, you should remove the water in the basement. You can use a pumping system to remove water and use a dehumidifier to remove the humidity to dry the area.

What are the Solutions for Basement Flooding?

These are the most used solutions for basement flooding.

Install a sump pump: A sump pump installation in the basement helps to pump out the accumulated water in the basement due to seepage and leaks.
Build an interior drainage system: Building an interior drainage system helps to collect and direct water away from the foundation.
Apply waterproofing sealant: Applying waterproofing sealants on the walls and floors prevents water seepage and leaks.
Install exterior waterproofing membrane: Installing an exterior waterproofing membrane helps to prevent water penetration to the foundation walls that prevent water leak and seepage during heavy rain and snow melting.
Maintain gutters and downspouts: Gutters and downspouts should maintenance to direct the water away from the basement.
Grading the garden: The Garden should be graded away from the basement. That help to direct water away from the basement.

Who to Call When the Basement Is Flooded?

When your basement is flooded first, you should call the electrician to disconnect the power supply to the basement if you can’t do it yourself. Then you should call the plumber to fix the plumbing problems. Then you should call the insurance company to claim the damages. Then you should call the water damage restoration company to remove the water in the basement.

After the water is removed, you should call the waterproofing company for consultation and to stop further water damage. Aqviz provides a free consultation and waterproofing service. Our experts will guide you to eliminate this problem.

How to Detect Basement Flooding?

Basement flooding can be detected by using a basement flooding alarm, and basement flooding sensor. These two indicators check the water level constantly. If the water height is reach 1/32 inch, the sensor will activate and notify the homeowners.

Basement Flooding Alarm: A basement flooding alarm works by detecting water levels through sensors. When the water reaches a height that is preset by the user, the alarm works giving a signal about flooding to the occupants. The flooding height at which the alarm works can vary depending on the specific model and user settings. But most of the time when the water is accumulated up to 1/32 inches, the alarm will be activated. Basement flooding alarm gives many advantages, such as early detection of flooding, prevention of costly damage, and peace of mind for the users.

Basement Flooding Sensor: A basement flooding sensor works by using a moisture-sensing probe. The moisture sensing sensors can detect the changes in the moisture levels caused by to rise of water level as a result of leaks and flooding. When sensors detect a change in the moisture level, it will give a warning to the users through the alarms. Most of the time alarm works when water collects up to 1/32 inch. Basement flooding sensors give advantages such as prevention from expensive repairs, early detection of flooding, and mental freedom for users.

What are the 7 Reasons for Basement Flooding?

A basement can flood for reasons such as heavy rainfall or snow melting, sump pump failures, foundation cracks, poor grading of the land, higher groundwater pressure, plumbing failures, faulty gutters, and downspouts. Basements can flood for one or more reasons.

1. Heavy Rainfall or Snow Melting: The water pressure in the soil will increase due to heavy rainfall and snow melting and cause groundwater accumulation. Therefore it can increase the water seepage from the basement wall and cause basement flooding. According to the seepage rate, the basement flooding high can rise to the water table level.

2. Sump Pump Failure in the Basement: The sump pump system is able to remove excess water collected into the sump pit and that will help to prevent basement flooding. When there’s a failure in the sump pump system, it will restrict the system’s ability to remove excess water, resulting in basement flooding.

3. Foundation Cracks in the Basement: Foundation cracks in the basement provide a path for water to seep into the basement through small spaces in concrete and by expanding soils. During heavy rains, water can get in through the cracks and accumulate in the basement, causing basement flooding.

4. Poor Grading of the Landscape: Poor grading of the landscape around a house can cause basement flooding by directing water toward the foundation instead of moving away. When the slope is toward the house, rainwater can accumulate near the foundation. Also, saturated soil near the foundation can exert hydrostatic pressure on the basement. These things can increase the risk of basement flooding.

5. Higher Groundwater Pressure Near the Basement: A high groundwater pressure near the basement can exert hydrostatic pressure. When the foundation is improperly sealed, hydrostatic pressure can force water through cracks and small spaces in materials like concrete, causing flooding. Also, the soil under the foundation can exert a hydrostatic pressure, forcing water into the basement and that can cause basement flooding.

6. Plumbing Failures: Plumbing failures like leaks in fittings or pipes can release water into the basement gradually. Burst pipes can release a large volume of water at once, but sewer lines or clogged drains can cause wastewater to overflow into the basement. All these issues can cause severe basement flooding.

7. Faulty Gutters and Downspouts: Downspouts and faulty gutters will direct water into the basement without diverting away from the foundation. Then water will overflow from the gutters and enter into the basement causing basement flooding.

What are the Negative Impacts of Basement Flooding?

Basement flooding effect the basement negatively. Flooded basements tend to grow mold and mildew, reduce structural stability, increase health risks, reduce property values, increase property damages, and increase the pest infestation to the house. In order to prevent these negative impacts basement should be water tight properly.

1. Mold and Mildew Growth in the Basement: Mold and mildew can grow in the basement when it is flooded for a long period. Mold and mildew emit harmful gases. Hence, homeowners feel a bad, earthy, and musty smell in the basement area.

2. Reduce the Structural Stability: Basement flooding can reduce the stability of structures through wood rotting, damage to the foundation, deterioration of concrete, and pressure on walls. Unstable structures will cause expensive renovations, health problems, and the growth of mold and mildew. Then users will face inconveniences during cleanups and additional costs for repairs.

3. Increase the Health Hazards: Basement flooding can cause health problems such as allergic reactions and respiratory problems, the transmission of diseases, and attract pests. These health issues make the basement unsafe and stressful for the users. Also, these hazards will limit the time that the basement can be used, making users uncomfortable.

4. Reduce the Property Value: The reduction of property value can cause unnecessary financial stress for users due to costly repairs. Also, users will not be able to sell or refinance the home in the future. Furthermore, a reduction in property value due to basement flooding will make users frustrated and dissatisfied.

5. Increase the Property Damages: Increased property damages will require expensive repairs. This can cause financial strain and uncertainty for homeowners. In severe property damage, those properties should be relocated and occupants will have to adjust their routines until the repair is done.

6. Pest Infestation: A pest infestation can cause health risks by causing allergic reactions and transmitting diseases such as Hantavirus and Salmonella. This will be a threat to occupants’ health and safety while they are using it. The presence of pests can damage property and belongings, causing additional expenses creating an unpleasant environment, and destroying the peaceful environment.

How to Clean a Flooded Basement?

These are the 9 steps to clean a flooded basement.

Turn off the electricity to the basement.
Remove standing water using a pump or vacuum.
Dispose of damaged items that cannot be removed.
Use a disinfectant cleaner to scrub floors, surfaces, and walls.
Using clean water rinse surfaces and let them dry.
Dry out the basement using fans and dehumidifiers.
Inspect for mold growth and remove mold using mold removers.
Completely air out the basement and place electrical equipment.
Take waterproofing measures to prevent future flooding.

How to Remove Water in the Flooded Basement?

You can remove water in the flooded basement by following 3 ways such as

Remove basement flooded water using a sum pump
Remove Basement-Flooded Water Using a Manual Water-removing
Remove Basement Flooded Water Moisture Using a Dehumidifier

1. Remove Basement Flooded Water Using a Sump Pump

A sump pump can collect excess water and pump it away from the foundation, minimizing basement flooding. Sump pumps are automated and will automatically work when the water level decreases.

The sump pump has a backup power system, drainage system integration, alarm systems, and wifi connectivity. Sump pumps can be connected to existing drainage systems and remove water away from the basement effectively. Backup power sources like batteries and generators will maintain the sump pump function even in a power outage.

Alarms alerts will give a signal to homeowners about basement flooding. When the sump pump is connected to Wi-Fi, homeowners will have access to control the sump pump system remotely. The water removal rate using a sump pump is several gallons per minute.

2. Remove Basement-Flooded Water Using a Manual Water-removing

The efficiency of removing basement-flooded water manually depends on factors like the amount of water, available tools, and your physical ability. The use of a bucket or wet/dry vacuum can be effective for smaller floods, but for larger ones use of a bucket will be slow and labor-intensive.

When manually removing flooded water, users can take immediate action to prevent basement flooding. Also, manual methods are cost-effective and users have control of the process. The time taken to remove water depends on the equipment used to remove water, the size of the flooded area, flooding height, and the individual’s physical fitness. To clear a small flooding it will take a few hours while in severe flooding, it will require a complete day.

3. Remove Basement Flooded Water Moisture Using a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are energy-efficient devices that can make the air dry by taking out the wetness. When we remove flooded water using a dehumidifier it will prevent mold and mildew from growing, making the air in the basement clean and fresh enough to breathe, preventing furniture and clothes from getting damped, and saving energy. A high-capacity dehumidifier will remove moisture in a few hours but to dry off the flooded area it will take several days.

To prevent water from seeping into the basement through cracks in the foundation walls, we can seal the foundation cracks. Sealed cracks will keep the space clean and dry and reduce the infiltration of water into the basement. These sealings will prevent belongings from being damaged and minimize the risk of basement flooding.

How to Stop Basement Flooding?

Basement flooding can be stopped by following the below 7 steps such as

Waterproof the basement
Install basement drain system
foundation crack sealing
Install window well covers
Improve basement ventilation
Properly design the landscape
Increase the landscape grading out from the basement

Waterproof the Basement: Basement waterproofing is mainly two types. This can water-tight the basement with positive and negative sides. This can prevent water seepage and leakage through the basement cracks, holes, joints, and seams by any chance. Hence, basement waterproofing is a successful solution for stopping basement flooding.
Install the Basement Drain System ( French Drain System): The French drain system is capable of directing water away from the foundation of the house. It consists of a perforated pipe, which can collect and divert water around the foundation. This technique will prevent seeping water into the basement, minimizing basement flooding.
Install Window Well Covers: The main purpose of using window well covers is to keep excess water out of window wells. Window well covers prevent accumulation of rainwater, debris, and snowmelt and seepage of water into the basement through windows. The risk of basement flooding can be minimized by keeping window wells dry and clean.
Improve Basement Ventilation: Improving basement ventilation will reduce moisture buildup in the basement. Better airflow can prevent condensation and help with moisture accumulation and flooding. Also, proper ventilation can dry out the moisture that enters the basement, and it will reduce the risk of flooding and water damage.
Properly Designed Landscape: A properly designed landscape has a proper drainage system that is away from the foundation. A landscape should be properly designed by installing a french drainage system, grading the land away from the house, and planting vegetation that can act as water absorbents. These actions will redirect rainwater and prevent basement flooding.
Improve the Landscape Grading: An improved landscape grading has a drainage system that directs water away from the house. When the slope is away from the house, melting snow and rainwater will flow away from the house. To improve landscape grading we can adjust the soil level, install drainage features, and plant vegetation according to a proper plan.

What is Basement Flooding?

Basement flooding is water rising in the basement from 1 millimeter to several feet. A basement can flood due to these eight reasons such as ice or snow melting, poor drainage systems, heavy rain, sump pump failures, issues in the foundation, sewer backups, natural disasters, and surface water runoff into the basement. It can lead to serious problems, including structural damage, mold and mildew growth, and damage to personal belongings stored in the basement.

The basement flooding height can be varied between 1 millimetres to several feet. Its height can depend on the intensity of the flooding and the efficiency of the drainage system. Flooded basement water colors are muddy, grey, black, and clear. These colors depend on the contaminants dissolved in the water.

What are the Four Types of Basement Flooding?

The 4 types of basement flooding are basement drain flooding, sump pump flooding, sewage basement flooding, and dehumidifier basement flooding. These basement flooding types occur due to failures in the basement water accumulation areas.

Basement Drain Flooding: Basement drain flooding is the accumulation of water in the drain system of the building due to groundwater seepage, heavy rainfall, and sewer backups. The maximum drain flooding height can be 12 inches which is the depth of the drain. These three main reasons cause basement drain flooding such as damaged plumbing systems, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and improper grading of the basement floor.
Sump Pump Flooding: The sump pump flooding in the basement occurs when the water accumulates in the basement due to a failure in the sump pump system. The sump pump flooding can mainly occur due to four main reasons: power outages, worn-out equipment, lack of maintenance, and improper installation of sump pumps.
Sewage Basement Flooding: Sewage basement flooding happens when sewage and wastewater overflow into the basement. The flooding height can be up to several feet. Sewage basement flooding mainly occurs for four reasons: sump pump failures, heavy rain, damaged sewer lines, and malfunctioning of backflow prevention devices.
Dehumidifier Basement Flooding: Dehumidifier basement flooding occurs due to accumulating water from the dehumidifiers. The dehumidifier flooding can depend on the size of the dehumidifier, the capacity of the dehumidifier and the severity of the flooding. Dehumidifier basement flooding mainly occurs due to these reasons: improperly installed dehumidifiers, malfunctioning sump pumps, plumbing leaks, and heavy rainfall.

Does Home Insurance Cover Basement Flooding?

Standard home insurance does not cover basement flooding caused by disasters like heavy rain or groundwater. But it may cover basement flooding from burst pipes, sewer backups, and appliance failures due to washing machines or water heaters.

How to Remove Musty Smell From Flooded Basement?

You can remove the musty smell from the flooded basement by following the below 8 steps.

Identify the Source
Remove Standing Water
Dry Out the Basement
Clean Surfaces
Treat Mold and Mildew
Air Out the Basement
Use Odor Absorbers

To prevent further issues you should take steps to prevent future flooding and moisture problems in the basement. To prevent future issues, you can seal the cracks, install a sump pump system, and improve the drainage system.

How to Disinfect the Flooded Basement?

These are the 9 steps to disinfect the flooded basement

Use goggles, masks, and gloves as safety measures.
Use a pump or vacuum to remove any standing water in the basement.
Scrub floors, walls, and surfaces using a disinfectant cleaner.
Consider areas that were submerged in water with special attention.
Rinse surfaces with clean water and let them air dry.
Use dehumidifiers and fans to dry out the basement.
Dispose of items that are unable to be cleaned or disinfected.
Inspect for mold growth and remove them using mold removers.
Apply a mold inhibitor to prevent future mold growth.

How to Prevent Basement Flooding During Heavy Rain?

During heavy rain you can prevent basement flooding by unclogging the drains in the garden, diverting the downspout water away from the basement checking the function of the sump pump, and be ready for any failure during the heavy rain.