Why Is My Basement Flooded?

There are many reasons your basement could be flooded regularly. The most obvious, of course, is an external source of water or internal plumbing leaks. However, there are other possible causes. These include: 

• Leaking Window Wells 

If you have basement windows, water building up in the window wells can cause leaks or even a full-scale flood if the weather is extreme and you are unlucky. This can be caused by old, generally worn windows that are at the end of their life, or by damage to the window pane itself. However, the most common causes are damage to the sealant and the sill. 

The sealant around your windows is vulnerable to changes in temperature and is exposed to the elements. As such, it is often the first thing to wear away. When this happens, water will quickly begin to leak into your basement. If you have older windows with wooden sills, they can also be a cause of leaks; if the wood starts to rot, water will get through in surprising amounts. 

• Cracks in Your Walls or Floor 

Your basement is one of the areas in your home that is most vulnerable to cracking. This is because of the immense amount of pressure that it faces. Cracks in your basement and floor as a result of foundation damage or hydrostatic pressure can let in surprising amounts of water, especially if the ground is saturated after a severe storm. 

Dehydration, too, can be an issue for your basement. If the soil under your home shrinks as a result of dehydration, your foundation may not have enough support. This can lead to cracking and settlement. When the soil becomes saturated again, however, these cracks will let water into your basement directly. They will act almost like channels for the water. 

• Blocked Drainage Systems 

Your home’s drainage systems are incredibly important to its health. From your roof gutters to your sump pump, they are all part of a larger system that works to prevent water from building up around your home. Blocked drainage systems or a broken sump pump can cause serious flooding in your basement. As such, it is important to stay on top of maintenance. 

If one part of your drainage system becomes blocked, it will affect the rest of your systems until water starts to pool around your foundation. The most common problems this can cause are bowing walls and settlement, but flooding is often a co-occurring issue. Of course, if a big storm rolls in, even the most well-protected basements can see flooding.