Protect your home’s foundation from the bottom up
Plumbing leaks from basement appliances or pipes elsewhere in your home can cause flooding due to gravity directing water downward.
Typical costs range from $500 for pipe repairs to $5,000 for foundation repairs, so addressing basement flooding early helps avoid higher costs.
Clogged gutters overflow and direct water down to your foundation, overwhelming even well-sealed basements during heavy rainfall or storms.
Hiring a local plumbing professional provides reliable help with leak detection and pipe repairs, keeping your basement dry and your foundation protected.
Walking down your basement stairs after heavy rainfall only to find it flooded is every homeowner’s nightmare. Basement flooding can be a time-consuming and expensive repair, and over time, it can cause structural damage to the home. But heavy rain isn’t the only potential cause of a basement flood. This guide explains what causes basement flooding, from poor grading to a broken sump pump.
Sometimes, a flooded basement is caused by plumbing leaks. This is more likely to be the cause if you have a washing machine or bathroom installed in your basement; however, a leak from elsewhere in the house could also cause a basement flood due to gravity.
If you suspect a plumbing leak, turn off the water main to prevent further damage. Then, look for the source of the water to determine the next steps. If it’s a leaking appliance, you’ll need to repair or replace it. Leaking pipes will likely need a local plumber to identify the source and perform the repair. Pipe repair costs an average of $500.
Because basements are built below the ground, they’re susceptible to leaks caused by hydrostatic pressure from standing groundwater. Standing groundwater can put pressure on the exterior walls of your basement. If your basement isn’t adequately sealed or you have cracks in the walls, this can lead to leaks.
The fix for this problem depends on the exact cause of the hydrostatic pressure. If it’s caused by poor drainage, call a foundation drain installation expert near you for advice. A landscaping pro can help if the pressure is caused by improper yard grading.
You might not think of your gutters as the culprit, but if they’re clogged, they can cause water to leak into your basement. That’s because clogged gutters will overflow, directing water down to your home’s foundation. Even if your basement is well-sealed, it may not be able to withstand the pressure of a sudden influx of water.
Clean out your gutters regularly—at least once a year, but ideally twice. You may be able to do this yourself with the right equipment, but it’s often best to hire a gutter cleaning pro near you to ensure the job is done safely. Professional gutter cleaning costs $120 to $235.
If your yard slopes toward your foundation rather than away from it, your basement is more likely to experience flooding. Yards should be sloped away from the home to allow water to drain away and prevent foundation issues, such as a leaking basement or a significant structural problem.
Hire a local landscape grading professional to adjust the slope of your yard. This project can be a significant undertaking that requires heavy machinery and an experienced team to ensure it’s completed correctly. Leveling a yard costs between $1,030 and $3,340.
In some cases, basement flooding can be caused by a sewer backup. Backups occur when the sewer system is overwhelmed, such as during a heavy rainstorm, or if there’s a clog in the system. A sewer backup can also happen if tree roots, grease, or waste block your home’s sewer pipes.
Sewer problems are best left to a sewer pro near you who understands how the system works and how to fix the issue correctly. Sewer line replacement costs $1,400 to $5,325 on average.
When a home is first constructed, the builders should seal the foundation adequately to prevent leaks or to fix a leaky basement. However, this seal can wear down, causing water leaks or flooding. Older homes may not have had their basements sealed, leaving them more vulnerable to leaks.
Check your basement’s interior walls for cracks, and apply sealant if you find any. You can also hire a basement waterproofing company near you to inspect and seal your basement as needed. If moisture has damaged your foundation, expect to pay around $5,000 in foundation repair costs.
Many basements have sump pumps installed to help remove excess groundwater from around your foundation. If your sump pump breaks, your basement is more likely to flood.
Check your sump pump to see if it’s functioning properly. If it’s not, call a local sump pump repair professional to inspect the system and determine whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced instead. Sump pump replacement costs an average of $525.
According to data from Angi, about 58% of homeowners want to repair their sump pumps within 1 to 2 days, and another 26% want the work done within 2 weeks, highlighting that most of these requests are emergencies or very urgent. Roughly 13% of homeowners were unsure or still in the planning and budgeting process, while only 3% could wait more than 2 weeks.
A minor basement leak after heavy rainfall may not need the help of a pro to resolve. However, you should take even small basement leaks seriously because they could lead to more significant flooding in the future.
If you’re concerned about your basement’s water resistance or notice large cracks on the foundation walls, a local basement waterproofing expert can determine the issue and recommend the proper fix to keep your basement watertight moving forward.
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Finished Basements Plus Inc.Amazing job. Efficient and quick without compromising quality. Basement feels brand new. Would use them again in a heartbeat.
AffordaPro RestorationWindow Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThey cleaned my very dirty basement. They were prompts, quick, thorough and their price was fair.
JDE House Cleaning LLCI am very pleased with the services performed by OTS. Bless my late Mother, but she was a bit of a pack-rat. The basement of her home was crammed with 40+ years of "stuff," and the other companies I contacted were concerned with possible mold contamination of the items due to the musty smell...
The company was very easy to work with. My family is now able to enjoy a space that at one point, only collected junk!!!! I feel like i have a whole new addition to the house!!! Wonderful work Blurock on our basement, will recommend!
BluRock Services, Inc.Excellent work. Opted for the service contract which provides spring and fall checkups and deduction on maintenance charges which seems to be a good value. Initial dehumidifier for our large basement was undersized. They replaced unit after it failed with a larger unit and charged only for...
Total Comfort Heating & Cooling IncWe had water in our basement and Roto Rooter was original contact to evaluate the situation. We were informed that our sewer main was fractured and needed repair. We received their estimate and then looked for counter offers. Ohio Basement Authority came with the best quote for the work. Once...
Ohio Basement AuthorityCalled Mark on a Thursday morning. Not really knowing if he could help me or not. I was having driveway, flooding issues due to a clogged channel drain and I was trying to figure out what direction to take. Heavy rains had come on Monday and again on Thursday leading to flooding in my garage...
Mark Rodgers ConstructionThe crumbling basement wall needing repair is beneath a large 2 story porch. What i thought would be a complicated project was made very easy by this crew. I was very impressed with the speed and quality of the work performed. The job was finished in just a week as estimated. There were...
Ohio Basement AuthorityFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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