The Location of Your Home

Your home’s location can often be a cause of flooding issues. If you arrive at your property and find that your basement is flooded, it could be because of factors that include:

You Live in a Flooding-Prone Region – If you live near a river or stream that is known for frequently rising, your property could be at risk of flooding.

Your Home Sits on a Low Point – If your property is located on a low point, its slope could end up promoting the flow of water toward your house. It is another common flooding cause faced by property owners in the state of Kentucky.

Your Property Is Located at the Bottom of a Hill – If your home is located at the bottom of a hill, water can gather from the surrounding area and end up in your basement.

Insufficient Weatherproofing

Poor weatherproofing is another common cause of flooding in basements. It is particularly important to have sufficient weatherproofing for your home in you live in an area that is prone to downpours, large amounts of snow melt, or hurricanes. Water from these sources can rise to the level of your basement and then seep into hairline cracks. It can also seep into the connections of walls and floors that have been poorly sealed. The end result is often a flooded basement.  

Sealant is used during the construction of homes in areas such as foundations, floors, and walls to waterproof them. Over time, these sealants can deteriorate. This can allow leaks to seep through cracks. If your basement experiences flooding during most rainstorms, it might be time for a waterproofing upgrade.

An Insufficient Drainage System

Your home’s drain tile, or weeping tile, is a drainpipe that is used for underground water collection. It is located under the basement floor level of your property. The tile’s purpose is to make sure that water moves away from your home’s structure instead of seeping into the building. If your drain tile fails or degrades over time, your basement can end up experiencing flooding issues. This is particularly the case if you have insufficient waterproofing.

Clogged Gutters

Your home’s gutters are essential for draining away rainwater from your property. If your gutters are located close to a tree, they can often become jammed with fallen debris such as sticks and leaves. This stops water from being able to safely drain from the roof, through the downspout, and away from the structure of your home. When gutters overflow, it can cause water to fall down the sides of your home. This can lead to pooling and leaking into your basement. The end result is often wood rot and foundation damage.

Downspout Failures

Your home’s downspouts are responsible for carrying water from your gutters and then away from its structure and foundation. If your downspout is broken or located too close to the wall, it can end up draining rainwater toward the basement. This can overload the drain tile and result in flooding. If you lack sufficient waterproofing, this outcome becomes even more likely.

Plumbing Leaks

Plumbing emergencies can lead to a flooded basement even if your home is not located in a flood zone. These emergencies can include:

• Sanitary sewer blockage from pipe breaks or flushing waste
• A burst pipe, clogged fixture, or leaking waste line
• Your sewer system gets overwhelmed with water which then backs up into the home

Leakage in the Supply Line

A break in your home’s water supply line along with hot water tank failures are common causes of flooding in basements. The winter months are when the most severe leaks occur because of water freezing and expanding.

A Broken Sump Pump

Sump pumps are drainage devices that you can use to keep your basement dry and clear of groundwater. They collect excess water from the foundation and from rainwater. From there, the water is drained outside of your home. If you have a sump pump, it is important to regularly clean, inspect, and test it to make sure that it is working properly.