Standing Water in the Basement: Impacts, Fixing, and Prevention

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Water standing in the basement is considered as basement flooding. Water stands in the basement when it is not removed compared to its accumulation rate. This can happen mainly in rain and snow-melting seasons. The main 5 reasons for the water standing in the basement are higher water pressure, faulty gutters and downspouts, improper landscape slopping, plumbing failures, and sum pump failures. Basement wall cracks, joints, and seams can increase the flooding rate.

Basement water standing has negative impacts such as mold growth on the surface, damage to the furniture belongings, musty odors, attraction of pets, and electric hazards. The most standing water areas in the basement are the basement drain and the basement floor.

You can unclog the standing water in the basement by following the below step by step guide. In order to prevent future water damage in your basement, you should waterproof the basement floor and walls, improve outside drainage, install or replace a sump pump, add interior drainage, protect against plumbing leaks, install new windows and window well covers, repair foundation cracks, and check the roof for damage.

What is Water Standing in the Basement?

Water standing in the basement is referred to as basement flooding. Basement water standing is a situation where water accumulates and remains stagnant at the basement floor level. Basement flooding occurs mostly in heavy rainfall or snow-melting seasons, such as spring and fall. Basement water is standing due to the increase in groundwater levels and surface runoff.

During these periods, water can seep into the basement through cracks in the foundation, walls, or floor or due to ineffective drainage systems. The standing water in the basement can lead to numerous issues, including structural damage to the house, growth of mold and mildew, damage to stored items, and potential health hazards due to damp and unsanitary conditions.

Read More: What you Should Know About Basement Waterproofing?

What are the 5 Reasons for Water Standing in the Basement?

Standing water in the basement has mainly 5 reasons such as higher hydrostatic pressure due to high water table, faulty gutter and downspout installation, improper landscape grading, plumbing failures, and sump pump failures. Each of these reasons affects the accumulation of water in the basement and raises the basement water level until it floods.

1. Higher hydrostatic pressure due to high water table: When groundwater levels rise during wet weather conditions, it causes to increase in the hydrostatic pressure in the soil close to the basement walls. This pressure tends to push towards the basement wall. As a result of this, water tends to seep and leak through the cracks, joints, seams, and connections over time.
2. Faulty gutters and downspouts: Inadequate gutters and improper downspouts can increase basement flooding. When gutters overflow or downspouts are too short, water can pool near your foundation and seep into the basement. When this is prolonged, this can lead to soil erosion, foundation cracks, and constant dampness in your basement.
3. Improper landscape sloping: When the landscape around your home doesn't slope away from your foundation, it can lead to water pooling and saturation of the soil. This can increase the water seeping into your basement and increase the dampness and potential water damage to the structure and your basement belongings.
4. Plumbing failures lose to the basement wall: Plumbing failures such as damaged or burst pipes cracked washing machine hoses, or a failed water tank can cause major flooding in your basement. As well as gardening, water also penetrates the ground If your gardening is not properly designed to remove water. When this is happening long time, you can see many water problems in the basement.
5. Sump pump failures: A sump pump is important in preventing basement flooding. A sump pump is used to remove accumulated water in the sum hole. A sudden sump pump failure can cause standing water in the drain first and then standing water on the basement floor.

What are the Negative Impacts of Basement Water Standing?

Basement water standing has mainly 6 negative impacts. These negative impacts are mainly long-term and short-term. Short term negative impact due to basement water standing can be visible within 1-2 weeks after flooding. But it takes years to see long term negative impacts.

Mold growth on basement walls, floor, and ceiling: Standing water in the basement can increase mold and mildew growth on the basement floor, walls, and ceiling. This can lead to respiratory issues, paint peeling, material deterioration, and decaying in the basement.

Structural damage in the basement: When the basement is exposed to flooding for a long period it tends to weak the structural integrity in the basement. It causes to wood rotting, crack forming, plaster removal, bad smell, and paint peeling due to higher humidity and moisture.

Damage to the furniture and belongings: Furniture and belongings in the basement can be damaged due to standing water in the basement. If you do not check this continuously, you can see mold and mildew growth on the surface, metal corrosion, wood decaying, and paint peeling of the belongings can be commonly visible.

Musty odors: Standing water can create musty, unpleasant odors that can create uncomfortable living conditions of your home.

Attraction of pests: Damp basements can attract pests such as insects and rodents, which can lead to infestations and potential disease spread.

Electrical hazards: If standing water rises up to the electrical system height, it can short and damage to the system.

What are the Most Standing Water Areas in the Basement?

The most standing water areas in the basement are the basement drain and the basement floor. There are specific reasons to standing water in the drain and basement floor.

Reasons for Basement Drain Standing Water

Basement drain standing water is rising water level in the French drain in the basement. French drain is used to transfer water to the sump hole. Due to below 11 reasons french drain water level can rise.

1. Poor sloped drainage system
2. Clogged french drain
3. Sump pump failure
4. Exceeding the French drain capacity
5. Higher hydrostatic pressure
6. Leaky basement windows
7. Overflowing gutters
8. Short downspouts
9. Inadequate landscape slope
10. Roof leaks
11. Exterior drainage tile failure

Reasons for Basement Floor Standing Water

Standing water on the basement floor occurs due to collected water and remains on the basement floor. Basement floor water standing can happen due to these 10 reasons.

1. Higher hydrostatic pressure
2. Insufficient French drain capacity
3. Faulty or failed sump pump
4. Large cracks in foundation walls
5. Poorly sealed basement windows
6. Overflowing gutters
7. Short downspouts
8. Improper landscape slope
9. Roof leaks
10. External drainage system failure

How to Unclog Standing Water in the Basement?

Basement standing water can be unclogged by following step by step buide. After unclogging, you should take n action to prevent further basement flooding due to same reason.

1. Set up the safety in the basement: Before you start unclogging water in the basement, you should set up your safety. You should wear PPE and avoid handling any electrical appliances or cables before disconnecting the electrical power supply to prevent electric shock.
2. Pump out the standing water in the basement: You should pump out the standing water in the basement if the flooding is extensive. For minor flooding, you can use a wet-dry vacuum to absorb the water. Once the water is removed, a dehumidifier may be necessary to dry out the area.
3. Identify the water source: Investigate the origin of the water accumulation during the pumping step. There are two types of leaks that help to stand the water in the basement. Those are visible and invisible. Seepage is invisible, while other leaks, such as due to cracks, joints, plumbing failure, and other water and drips, are visible.
4. Remove organic matter for mold and mildew growth: You should remove materials such as paper, fabric, wood, and leather that can attract mold if left damp for a prolonged period.
5. Fix the sump pump and clean the drain: After the water is pumped out, you should check the sump pump French drain for damages. If the sump pump has a problem, you should fix or replace it. Then, check the drainage system. If there is no drain system, you should take action to set it up because the drainage system can control the standing water in the basement.
6. Clean the floor and observe the damages: You can use a pressure washer to clean the basement floor. Before you lean or after cleaning, you should observe the damage on the floor.

How to Get Rid of Standing Water in the Basement?

In order to prevent future water damage in your basement, you should waterproof the basement floor and walls, improve outside drainage, install or replace a sump pump, add interior drainage, protect against plumbing leaks, install new windows and window well covers, repair foundation cracks, and check the roof for damage.

Basement standing water prevention methods

1. Install a waterproof membrane in the basement: You should install sheet membrane waterproofing for the basement exterior waterproofing and both liquid and sheet membranes for the basement interior waterproofing. You should waterproof both the interior and exterior of the walls and inside the basement floor. You have to follow an expert guide to know about basement waterproofing for a successful result.
2. Improve the outside drainage system: The outside drainage system helps to remove the excess saturated water at the basement wall and outside. It will reduce the water pressure and reduce leakage and seepage into the basement.
3. Setup a proper sump pump: You should set up a proper sump pump that can pump out the accumulated water outside.
4. Add interior drainage system: The interior drainage system helps to accumulate speed and leak water inside the basement that is coming from the basement walls. It will help to remove the accumulated water inside the basement.
5. Protect the plumbing: You should protect the plumbing from damage close to the basement.
6. Seal the window and window well covers: You should seal the windows and window well covers to prevent the waterlekaing inside the basement.
7. Repair foundation: Check if there is any crack on the foundation. You can use a crack sealing to seal the small crack in the basement walls. You should use a crack injection method to repair the basement walls.
8. Fix the roof: You should fix the roof to stopall types of leaking to the basement.