Dealing with a flooded basement is every homeowner’s worst nightmare, and in Burlington, Ontario, it’s a problem that many people in the area have to face. In this detailed guide, we’ll delve into the typical reasons why basements can flood, especially in Burlington. We’ll also discuss what to do if you experience a flooded basement. Of course, we’ll make sure you have a bunch of helpful tips to prevent basement flooding.
Why Basements Flood
The key to preventing basement flooding is to first understand what causes it. Let’s explore the main reasons why this happens.
1. Heavy Rainfall and Storms
Basement flooding can be heavily influenced by the weather. Burlington, Ontario knows what it’s like to deal with some serious rain and storms, especially when spring and fall roll around. When it rains a lot in a short time, the ground gets wet and the drainage systems can’t handle it all. If you don’t have the right precautions in place, that extra water can find its way into your basement.
2. Poor Drainage
Basement flooding is often caused by poor drainage around your house. If the ground around your house isn’t sloped properly, rainwater might end up pooling near your basement walls. Moreover, when your gutters and downspouts get all clogged up or neglected, it’s like a traffic jam for rainwater. Instead of smoothly flowing away from your house, it can cause some serious flooding issues.
3. Cracks and Leaks in the Foundation
As the years go by, it’s not uncommon for cracks or gaps to start appearing in the foundation of your home. Water can find its way in through these imperfections. When it rains a lot, the water table can rise and seep into your basement through these openings. It’s important to regularly check your foundation for any cracks and seal them up to keep water out.
4. Faulty or Overwhelmed Sump Pump
If you own a sump pump, it’s like having a superhero guarding your basement against flooding. But, imagine this: if your sump pump decides to take a break or gets bombarded by a sudden downpour, it might not be able to do its job of keeping your basement nice and dry. Keeping up with regular maintenance and inspections for your sump pump is super important to make sure it’s ready to handle any unexpected water issues.
5. Sewer Backups
Basement flooding can also occur due to sewer backups. When it pours outside, the sewer systems in our cities can get overwhelmed. Picture the horror as dirty water starts flooding in through the floor drains, turning your living space into a watery mess. Not only is this a nightmare for your belongings and property, but it also poses serious health risks that you want to avoid. Putting in a backwater valve can help reduce this risk.
6. High Water Table
The water table, which is basically how much water is in the ground, can change depending on where you are and what time of year it is. If you live in places like Burlington where the water table is high, even a small amount of rain can cause the water table to rise and potentially put your basement at risk. If you live in a house with a basement, it’s important to make sure it’s properly waterproofed and has sump pumps.
7. Insufficient Waterproofing
If the waterproofing materials on your basement walls and floor aren’t up to par or are getting worse, it means that your home is at risk of water seeping in. Over time, stuff can start falling apart, which lets water sneak in. Making sure to regularly check and take care of your basement’s waterproofing can help avoid this problem.
If you know why basements flood, you can be prepared and prevent it from happening. Taking care of your home is important, and that includes keeping your basement safe from floods.
Basement Flooding Prevention Tips for Burlington Residents
Exterior Basement Flooding Prevention Tips
1. Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly
Keeping your gutters and downspouts clean is a super easy and effective way to avoid basement flooding in your Burlington homes. When these get all filled up with leaves, debris, and dirt, rainwater can’t flow properly, and that can cause it to overflow. When water starts spilling over, it can make its way toward your foundation, which raises the chances of flooding. To stay on top of things, a little spring cleaning can work wonders.
Don’t forget to give your gutters and downspouts some love by inspecting and cleaning them regularly, especially when the rainy season is approaching.
2. Extend your downspouts away from your foundation
When you’re inspecting your gutters, make sure to also consider where your downspouts are positioned. Make sure they stretch out a few feet from your foundation so that rainwater is guided away from your house.
If you’ve ever noticed that your downspouts are spitting water a little too close to your foundation, it might be a good idea to consider getting some downspout extensions. You’d be surprised how these affordable additions can help keep rainwater from collecting around your basement walls and seeping into your home.
3. Grade the land around your home away from the foundation
Making sure your grading is done correctly is super important if you want to avoid any unwanted basement flooding. The ground surrounding your house should be sloped in a way that directs water away from the foundation. This helps make sure that when it rains, the water doesn’t gather around your house but instead goes away on its own.
If your yard isn’t leveled correctly, you might need to redo the landscaping to achieve the slope you want. This might mean adding some soil or making changes to the current slope of the land.
4. Install a sump pump and backwater valve
Investing in a sump pump is a smart move to protect your basement from flooding. It’s like having a superhero for your basement, saving the day by getting rid of all that extra water, especially when it’s pouring outside or the water level is high.
When you combine a backwater valve with your plumbing system, it acts like a shield against sewage backup and flooding. If your home is hooked up to the city’s sewage system, having a backwater valve is super important.
5. Keep shrubs and trees away from your foundation
Shrubs and trees are like the icing on the cake for your landscape, but if they’re planted too close to your foundation, they can become a bit of a headache. When roots start to grow and spread, they can put pressure on the walls of your foundation, which can cause cracks and gaps to form. Those cracks can turn into open doors for water to sneak into your basement.
To avoid this, make sure you keep a good amount of space between your foundation and any plants or trees.
Interior Basement Flooding Prevention Tips
1. Seal any cracks in your foundation
Take a look at your basement and see if you notice any cracks in the walls or floor. When the ground gets wet, even small cracks can let water in. Make sure to seal up those cracks with a waterproofing product so that water doesn’t sneak in. Keeping up with regular inspections and repairs is super important if you want to make sure your foundation stays nice and dry.
2. Install a flood alarm system
It’s important to catch water leaks early to avoid a major basement flood. These systems are made to let you know if there’s water coming into your basement. When you act quickly, you can avoid or reduce the harm that might occur.
3. Store valuables in watertight containers
No matter how well you prepare, there’s always a possibility that your basement might flood. If you want to keep your important stuff safe, it’s a good idea to keep them in containers that won’t let any water in. This provides an additional safeguard against potential water damage. You can keep your important documents, family heirlooms, and cherished items safe using this method.
4. Have your sump pump inspected and serviced regularly
Just like anything else that we use regularly, mechanical systems can also go through wear and tear as time goes on. To make sure it’s always in top shape, remember to get it checked and maintained regularly. By taking proactive steps to maintain your sump pump, you can feel assured that it will be in top-notch shape when you rely on it.
What to Do If Your Basement Floods
1. Turn off the water supply to your home
When your basement floods, it’s crucial to act quickly. If the flooding is coming from inside your house, like from a burst pipe or a broken water heater, you can stop more water from getting into your basement by shutting off the water supply to your home. It’s super important to know where your main shut-off valve is and how to use it.
2. Call a professional water damage restoration company
When your basement floods, it’s not just about getting rid of the water. When dealing with a mess, it’s important to take stock of the damage, watch out for any potential dangers, and make sure to clean up and dry everything properly to avoid mould and other problems with the structure.
It’s a good idea to reach out to a professional water damage restoration company. They really know their stuff, have all the fancy tools, and have been through this kind of thing before.
3. Document the damage for insurance purposes
While you’re patiently waiting for the experts to show up, make sure to take some photos or videos of the damage. This will come in handy when you’re dealing with your insurance company.
Make sure to snap some pictures and jot down all the important details about how bad the flooding is, what got damaged, and any other useful info. This documentation will speed up the insurance claim process.
Hire a Trusted Burlington Basement Waterproofing Services Provider
Taking care of your home, both inside and out, can help prevent flooding. If things go wrong, it’s important to have a plan in place to minimize the impact. But if you want to avoid any future basement flooding headaches, it’s a good idea to consider getting basement waterproofing services from a reliable company like Precise Plumbing.
Keep your home secure and feel at ease, knowing that your basement is protected from potential flooding. Make sure you’re protecting your property and keeping your family safe by taking action today. Dealing with basement flooding can be a major concern for homeowners in Burlington.
However, by taking the necessary precautions and seeking help from experts, you can ensure that your home remains safe and free from water damage for a long time. Why wait for something bad to happen? Take charge and safeguard your investment. Your home deserves the best. Contact us today and ask for a quote for your basement waterproofing needs.