How Surface Water May be Causing Your Flooded Basement

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

How to Protect Your Foundation and Prevent Basement Flooding

A flooded basement can be caused by surface water flooding, meaning external water that's not draining correctly away from your home. You can do a few things to help protect your foundation and prevent this type of flooding. SERVPRO of Gulf Beaches South / West St. Petersburg is here to help. 

1. Dealing with Roofline Overflow

Overflowing and clogged gutter systems can result in significant damage; overflow from gutters can lead to the wearing away of soil and foundational cracks. The three most common causes of gutter system overflow and basement flooding are:

• Leaf Buildup: Gutters should be cleaned a few times per year, typically at the change of seasons. When debris is left to clog the gutters, the overflow trickles down exterior walls and into your basement.
• Insufficient Downspouts: If there're not enough downspouts, or if they are an inadequate diameter, then water can overflow during heavy rains.
• Inadequate Downspout Length: Downspouts should extend at least 10 feet away from your home.

2. Preventing Flooding Due to Landscape Design

If not appropriately sloped, landscaping can force surface water to settle toward the house, which, if left unchecked, will weaken the soil around your foundation and lead to cracks in basement walls, allowing water to enter. Avoid this issue by ensuring all landscaping, pathways, and driveways slope away from your home. If this is not possible, then invest in a proper drainage system around your home to carry water away from your foundation. 

3. Reducing the Risk of Storm Water Backing Up

For many older homes, city storm sewers are connected to a perimeter drain. While a sump pump can prevent the risk of water backing up, storm drains can become overwhelmed and leave your sump pump ill-equipped to handle the surge when heavy rains hit. Installing a cap on the external drain can resolve the issue but may involve storm damage specialists in the Gulf Beaches area.

A flooded basement is preventable by eliminating common causes of surface water flooding. Ensuring gutter systems are adequate, sloping landscaping away from your foundation, and capping off nuisance drain pipes are several ways to help you prevent future flooding.