How Water Gets in Your Basement

A basement is the lowest point in a building, so water will pool there even if the water source is elsewhere. There are many different causes of basement flooding, and that influences how much water you will discover. A dripping pipe or an overflowing washing machine might result in a puddle on the floor. On the other hand, a busted water line or storm event can cause your basement to fill up to the top.

Storms

Heavy rainfall, rising water levels, and storm surges are notorious culprits of flooded basements. You usually know these natural events are going to take place, and you may even put out sandbags, but unfortunately, water is good at finding its way into basements.

Since basements are below ground level, even after the water outdoors recedes, the water in your basement stays put. The longer it sits, the worse the situation becomes.

Burst Pipes and Broken Water Lines

Uninsulated pipes freeze and break, old pipes corrode, and poorly planned digging projects can crack pipes. Depending on the size and type of pipe, the resulting flood can be medium to large in size.

Sewage Flood

When sewage backs up, the situation becomes much more serious. Sewage floods are biohazardous situations that require an immediate response from a well-trained professional. Whether it is a backed-up sewage line or a septic tank overflow, extra precautions need to be taken that are not required for “clean” water floods.

Failed Appliances

Appliances can get clogged, and old ones wear out. When this happens, they can cause a slow dripping leak or a sudden rush of water. Even if your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater is not in the basement, the escaping water will collect there.

Groundwater

Not all soils are the same. Some drain well, while others tend to hold on to water. For soils that hold water, as more rain falls, the top of the water table rises. Once the water table meets the walls of your basement, it will find its way in through even the tiniest crack.

A sump pump can be great for getting rid of a normal amount of water, but if the pump breaks or the rainfall is heavier than normal, the water level inside your basement will rise too.

Water from Fires

A fire is terrible enough, but water from the sprinklers and hoses used to put it out can create an even bigger problem. The water used to put the fire out will drip down into the basement.

Basement Water Extraction Process

When we arrive at your location, we will survey the amount of water in the basement and check for any obvious structural damage before formulating a plan. We will give you an estimated cost for the whole process before we get started. The estimation is free of charge.

Remove the Water

The first step is to extract the water from the building. We use heavy-duty pumps and vacuums to suck any standing water out of the space.

Dry It Out

Once the basement water extraction is finished, we thoroughly dry the basement out. Air movers allow air to circulate in the basement, causing moisture to evaporate. Dehumidifiers are used to remove the evaporated water from the air.

As the basement dries, we use moisture detectors to make sure things are dry - not just on the surface but all the way through.