Common Reasons Why a Basement Will Flood

11/21/2022 (Permalink)

4 Reasons Why Your Basement Might Be Flooding

A flooded basement is every homeowner's nightmare. Not only is it a mess to clean up, but it can also lead to serious damage to your home and possessions. If you're dealing with a flooded basement, you're probably wondering what caused it. 

The Suffolk County water damage repair and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma are here to share four of the most common reasons for basement flooding aside from plumbing problems:

1. A Blocked or Failing Gutter System

A common reason for basement flooding is a blocked or failing gutter system. When gutters become clogged with leaves and other debris, they can no longer channel water away from your home, which can lead to flooding in your basement and structural damage to your humble abode over time. To prevent this from happening, be sure to clear your gutters regularly and have them inspected by a professional at least once a year to ensure they're in good working order.

2. Snow Melting Too Quickly

If you live in an area where snowfall is common — such as Long Island — you might be familiar with the problem of snow melting too quickly and causing flooding in your basement. This can happen when there's a sudden warm-up after a cold snap, causing the snow to melt rapidly and overwhelm your drainage system. To lessen the chance of this from occurring, be sure to shovel any snow around your humble abode immediately after it falls and keep an eye on the forecast so you can be prepared for any potential flooding.

3. Poor Drainage Around Your Home

Flooding can also occur when poor drainage around your home causes water to pool near the foundation and seep into your basement. As mentioned earlier, this can be due to anything from improper landscaping to a faulty gutter system. In a conscious effort to avoid a dangerous situation, make sure that all drains and gutters around your home are functioning properly and that any landscaping slopes away from your foundation.

4. A Broken Sump Pump

If you have a sump pump in your basement, it's there for one purpose: to remove any water that might accumulate so that flooding doesn't occur. However, if the sump pump fails, it won't be able to do its job, leading to a flooded basement. To keep your home flood-free, be sure to test your sump pump regularly and have it serviced by a professional every few years.

Suffolk County Water Damage Repair and Restoration Services

Basement flooding is never fun, but fortunately, help is only a phone call away. The professionals at SERVPRO of Ronkonkoma are equipped with the certifications, experience, and equipment needed to get things cleaned up quickly and efficiently so you can get back to normal life as soon as possible.

If you have flood or water damage at home, contact our friendly team at (631) 585-0007!