Does Your Basement Always Flood When It Rains?

The rainy season is here and so is the question: ‘why does my basement always flood when it rains?’ There are many reasons why a basement may flood, even in the driest weather. If you have experienced water in your basement, and if it is a consistent issue, it is important to find the source and fix the problem before personal property damage, structural damage or mold occur. 

Some of the most common causes of a flooded basement are:

1. Water Pooling. The most common problem is water pooling around the foundation of your home. If there has been consistent rain, the ground becomes saturated and water pressure forces the water through your foundation and into your basement. If your home does not have proper grading, or the gutters get clogged with leaves and debris, water will run down, gather at the foundation and seep through existing cracks.
   
   HOW TO FIX: The grading or soil should always slope away from the home to prevent water from accumulating near the foundation. However, maybe the problem isn’t that complicated and the solution may be as simple as cleaning out your gutters and downspouts.
   

2. Poor Window Installation. If your windows are not properly installed, the window wells will fill with water from water pooling (flooded yard) or clogged gutters and the water will seep into your basement.
   
   HOW TO FIX: Remove exterior caulking, clean the window frame and re-caulk. Check the gasket between the window frame and the glass and reseal the glass to the gasket if needed.
   

3. Sump Pumps. If you have a sump pump installed, be sure to check on it frequently. Its purpose is to pump excess water away from the foundation. If the sump pump malfunctions, it is possible for groundwater to enter through the pump and flood your  basement.
   
   HOW TO FIX: Make sure the connecting pipe that leads the water away from your home is not clogged. It also may be a good idea to install a backup power source for your sump pump for those unexpected electrical outages. 

Your basement is best when kept dry - let’s make sure it stays that way! If you need help preventing or removing water from your home, be sure to give us a call at (518) 798-6560.