Your basement is an essential room in your home. While you may not think about it as much as the rest of the house, it’s incredibly important to the function of your home. The basement commonly holds the water heater, HVAC unit, laundry hookups, plumbing lines for the home, and more! Basement floods are a huge inconvenience to homeowners both financially and physically, but what causes it to flood in the first place?
External causes
External water entering the basement is a common explanation for basement flooding. That water can come in the form of heavy rain, melting snow around the foundation of the home, and rising water levels in a nearby stream or river. Excess water around the foundation of your home can lead to cracks and leaks, which go directly into your basement. Improving gutter systems and ensuring your home’s foundation is in good condition lowers the risk of external conditions creating a basement flood, but there’s no way to eliminate the risk completely. Stay aware of the weather in your area to prepare for weather that may increase the risk of a basement flood.
Internal causes
A basement flood can happen because of issues within your home too. Internal issues range from burst pipes to a broken appliance. Sewage backups are an especially unpleasant internal cause of basement flooding. Internal causes of basement flooding typically happen quickly and cause costly damage, so maintaining your homes appliances and plumbing to prevent leaks is ideal!
How to handle a flooded basement
A flooded basement is not just an inconvenience – it’s a potential health hazard! Standing water can grow bacteria very quickly and if flooding is a result of a sewage backup, it’s even more dangerous. There’s also the risk of electrical components coming into contact with the water. The safest and most effective way to handle a basement flood is to contact a basement flood remediation expert. They will have the tools and knowledge to determine the cause of the flood, remove the remaining water, and begin rehabbing any damages in your basement. Homeowners’ insurance often covers a portion or all of the cost for a basement flood remediation specialist, so there’s no reason to cut corners and try to handle the flood yourself! After calling a professional, avoid going to the flooded basement or coming into contact with the water.
Contact Elite Plumbing & Heating
To learn more about preventing basement floods or to start dealing with a current basement flood, contact Elite Plumbing & Heating today! We’re highly experienced and uses only the best methods and tools for the job to ensure it’s done right the first time. From foundation inspections to flood repair and treatment, we can help! Give us a call at 781-438-2997 or fill out a contact form.
