Basement flooding is a real hazard to homeowners and has been for thousands of years. Flooding destroyed the most primitive housing and can actually do the same today if given enough time and opportunity. Many homeowners just ignore basement flooding and hope it will go away but by taking this attitude they are actually putting the structure of their home in severe danger.

The way to deal with it is head on because there are ways and means of solving the problem. The basements of many homes are prone to flooding today for a number of different reasons but only by investigating those can we investigate the cause and solve the problem.

The Causes Of Basement Flooding

The main cause of basement flooding is actually the level of the land around your home. All houses are initially designed with land sloping away from your home and this effectively removes the danger of your basement flooding.

However, if the land around your home slopes towards it then the water will drain into your foundations because it is the only place that it can feasibly go. Over time, land that did slope in one direction will be subjected to the elements and erosion and thus the initial grading can be naturally reversed.

Of course, a poor sealing job is a necessary accessory to poor grading. If the foundations of your house are not effectively sealed or have leaking tiles around them then water will seep through quite easily. It may even come up directly through the soil in an extreme case of flooding as a result of extreme weather conditions. Unless the foundations of your home are sealed, the basement is actually defenceless against the effects of water and you are effectively wasting your home space that could be used for storage or as another room.

Another common cause of basement flooding is blocked guttering. Some downspouts hover above the ground rather than actually going into the ground or away from the house. If it were placed this way then it would not direct water away from the home. However, if your drainage system does direct water away but is blocked then it will have the same effect.

The Solutions For Basement Flooding

There are several viable solutions to the problem of basement flooding but you should actually identify the problem first. This will enable you to choose the most effective solution and act quickly to prevent further basement flooding in the future. If your home is on a poor grading then you can actually hire a professional to rectify the problem.

Alternatively, you could actually do it yourself. This entails moving soil up the garden manually or purchasing new soil to lie around your home. Either way, it alters the gradient. You can also dig a small trench further down your yard so that water will collect in it after rolling away from your home and eroded soil can also be save and recycled.

Whether your problem is the gradient or a poorly sealed basement, every single home should be protected from basement flooding by effective waterproofing. Investing in a good sealant that will last for years will keep the water at bay. It is quite expensive but one or two coats may last for years.

It is always better to invest in a more expensive waterproofing sealant if it has a good reputation because you can feel confident that it will not be breached. This peace of mind is certainly worth paying for.

You should do all you can to protect your home from basement flooding because prevention is always better than cure, especially when that cure could cost thousands. Invest in a good sealant, check and maintain your drainage regularly and then keep an eye on your yard gradient. If you can manage that then your basement will not be at risk.

See Also:
How to Insulate Basements