Top Reasons and Solutions for Basement Flooding

Whether your basement has slippery puddles or it's starting to look like an indoor swimming pool, one thing’s for sure: basement flooding is a messy and costly problem. Fortunately, understanding what causes basement flooding and knowing what steps you can take can help mitigate the damage. Follow this ultimate guide on basement flooding causes so that you know what to do when a flood strikes your home.

Common Causes of Basement Flooding 

Knowing what caused your basement to flood is one of the first steps you can take to stop the flooding and prevent damage to your home. Here are some of the most common reasons for basement flooding.

Hydrostatic Pressure

A hydrostatic pressure problem means that the groundwater levels on the outside of your basement have risen above floor level, causing water to leak through small cracks around the concrete floor. 

If you've inspected your property and checked for leaks by looking at your water meter only to find that the number isn't changing, you might have a hydrostatic pressure problem. Another telltale sign of a hydrostatic pressure problem is leakage from many different locations around the floor of your basement.

Leaky Windows or Doors

Leaky windows or doors are another possible reason for a flooded basement. A leaky window or door can result from forgetting to shut the window, not repairing cracks or broken glass, deteriorated caulk, or a door in need of new weather stripping.

Plumbing Leaks

Plumbing is prone to leaks, from a burst pipe to loose valves and connectors. Shut off the main water valve, jot down the number on your water meter, wait an hour, and then compare the numbers to see if you have a leak causing your flooded basement. Finding a plumbing leak can be tricky, so work with a plumber or trained technician to detect leaks if you can't find them yourself.

Surface Water Leaks

If you have groundwater in your basement after a rainstorm, then your house’s location could be the culprit. Location is one of the most common reasons for a flooded basement—especially if you live in any of the following areas:

• Bottom of a hill or mountain: Water can collect from snowmelt and rainfall and come racing down the slope—right to your home.

• Flood-prone area: Homes near rivers, streams, bays, ponds, or lakes can experience flooding if the body of water rises.

• Low-graded lot: If your house is on a low point, the slope may direct water toward rather than away from it.

A sign that you could have a surface water leak is a leak coming from just one wall, though an isolated leak on one side of a wall could also be a sign of a leaky pipe.

Stormwater Backup

If you have foul-smelling odors along with your leak, then there could be a problem with stormwater impacting your city's storm sewer system. If the backup occurs on your property, you’re responsible for fixing the problem, but for off-property city lines, you can get by scot-free. Contact your local municipality for problems beyond the scope of your home's plumbing system to see if they’re responsible for the issue. 

How to Find a Basement Leak 

Finding the cause of basement flooding can be as easy as finding a needle in a haystack. But with a map of key areas to look for, you can increase your chances of finding out why your basement is leaking faster. 

To find a basement leak, check the following areas of your home:

• Your basement walls and flooring

• The gutter system

• Your roof

• Cracks in the foundation

• Plumbing systems

• Your sump pump

• Swampy or unusually green spots on your lawn

• Puddles around your foundation

• Your landscape slope

• Windows 

• Doors

How to Fix a Flooded Basement

To fix a leaky basement, it’s important to know who to call when there’s water in your basement. You'll want to reach out to your homeowners insurance and then work with a local water restoration company near you to find the best plan of action. Here’s how this process might look, depending on the cause of your flooded basement. 

Contact Your Homeowners Insurance

Before you fix a flooded basement, it's a good idea to check with your homeowners insurance to see if your homeowners insurance plan can cover water damage. If it does, then you'll want to document the flooding by writing down when it occurred and taking pictures or videos of the damage. File a claim with your homeowners insurance company before you fix a flooded basement in case insurance covers the repairs under your plan.

Create an Interior Perimeter Basement Drain

Also called an interior weeping tile system, this drainage system is a perforated pipe that goes underground, around the perimeter of your foundation. The perforated pipe lets in water and helps relieve hydrostatic pressure by evenly draining the water around your foundation and steering it away from the home.

Install a Sump Pump

If you install an interior perimeter basement drain, then you'll also want to install a sump pump. A sump pump system is a pit that a professional digs beneath your basement to collect water once it reaches a certain level.

Regrade and Relevel Your Property

When your home doesn't have the correct slope, regrading and releveling around your foundation might be the best way to protect your foundation from future leaks. Your lawn should have a slope of 6 inches for every 10 feet around the foundation of your property. Leveling a yard can be a complex project that requires heavy machinery, so it's best to work with a local landscape grading service to get the best results. 

Repair or Replace Faulty Pipes

If a broken or clogged pipe is causing your basement to leak, then repairing or replacing the faulty pipe is likely the only way to resolve the issue.

Cost to Repair a Flooded Basement 

You'll spend anywhere from $500 to $2,800 on the cost of repairing a flooded basement. Small floods fall at the lower end of this price range, while floods with two or more feet of water will cost the most. 

After you have stopped your basement from flooding, you may need to invest in water restoration services to prevent mold, clean contaminated surfaces, repair damaged parts of your basement, and seal your basement to prevent future flooding. If you need to invest in these services, you could spend more than $10,000 in total.

10 Ways to Prevent a Basement from Flooding

Basement floods don't always have to happen. With a proactive basement waterproofing plan, you can help prevent your basement from flooding in the first place. Here are several ways you can prevent a basement from flooding:

1. Inspect Windows and Doors for Cracks or Gaps

Caulking or replacing windows or doors can leak water into your basement during storms or floods. Apply caulk as needed, install secure weather stripping or door seals, and replace faulty windows or doors.

2. Install New Gutters 

If you don't have a gutter system or your gutters are clogged or misaligned, it's important to keep them in good condition to prevent water from flowing down to your foundation—straight into your basement. 

3. Install a Sump Pump 

Sump pumps are one of the best ways to prevent a basement from flooding, so ensure you have one installed and keep up with a sump pump maintenance schedule. Your sump pump should be inspected and cleaned yearly to prevent it from failing. Most sump pumps need replacing anywhere from five to 10 years. 

4. Invest in a Water Leak Detection System

A water leak detection system is a water sensor that can alert you to leaks through your phone or an alarm. This monitoring system will track the flow of water through your chosen pipes and send an alert signal if it detects an abnormal flow. 

5. Level Your Yard

Your home's foundation should sit at a 5 percent slope minimum. If the soil around your foundation has shifted, or gardening has decreased the slope, then leveling your yard to the appropriate incline can prevent water from flowing towards your home.

6. Maintain Your Appliances

Inspecting your washer, dishwasher, garbage disposal, heat pump, toilet, and any other appliances in your home with connectors and hoses can help you catch leaks. Set a monthly maintenance plan to keep your appliances up to date.  

7. Replace Old Pipes

If your pipes keep leaking, then it might be time to replace them—especially if your metal pipes are over the age of 50 to 80. Traditional PVC pipes have an even shorter lifespan of around 25 to 40 years.

8. Routinely Inspect Your Home for Leaks

Walking around your property after storms and at least twice a year can help you catch leaks as soon as they arise. For homes in flood-prone areas, you might want to increase your inspections to once every month.

9. Upgrade Your Roof

Though it might seem like a leaky roof will only flood your attic, water flows down. When gravity works its magic, water can weasel its way through the walls and ceilings of your home until it reaches your basement. 

10. Waterproof Your Basement

Learning how to waterproof your basement can help prevent water from entering from the outside. On average, basement waterproofing costs between $2,300 and $7,600 and involves removing water and mold, sealing cracks and gaps, sealing concrete surfaces, and altering your landscape if needed. For maximum protection against basement floods, it’s best to work with a basement waterproofing professional near you.

DIY Waterproofing the Basement vs. Hiring a Pro

Foundation waterproofing could be a DIY project, though it isn’t recommended for novices. For this to be a DIY project, you should have knowledge of and be comfortable with:

• Installing a dehumidifier

• Grading soil 

• Sealing windows and doors

• Sealing hairline foundation cracks

• Gutter systems

• Applying waterproof paint

• Clearing stairwell drains

If you don’t have this experience or the waterproofing project is more elaborate, requiring tasks such as installing a drainage system, fixing gutters, or sealing large or uneven foundation cracks, we recommend talking to a professional to waterproof your basement. A professional can help identify the source of the leak or flood, diagnose the underlying issue, and come up with a comprehensive waterproofing plan that is appropriate for your home. In addition, professional jobs should come with a basement waterproofing warranty which will give you peace of mind in case of any future issues.