Causes Of Basement Flooding

By Author: Joann Dudley
Total Articles: 17
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Any homeowner who has experienced a flooded basement dreads a recurrence. This is because flooded basements damage the walls, floors, as well as anything stored in the basement. Also, unless the basement is comprehensively dried out, there is a risk of mold formation and consequent expenses for mold remediation as well as medical treatment for those family members who are allergic to mold. When your basement becomes flooded it is not sufficient to just have it dried and momentarily cleaned up. You need to identify the cause of the flooded basement and take active measures to waterproof it. The most common causes of wet basements in Westchester County are failed plumbing and hydrostatic pressure. National companies have designed effective solutions to both these problems so that your basement will remain dry in future.

Failed Plumbing

When undertaking basement waterproofing in Westchester County, you need to access the risk of potential plumbing failures and address them. Many rubber washer hoses can burst under constant water pressure. This can quickly flood the basement. A simple solution is to replace the rubber ...
... washer hose with industrial grade FloodChek hoses. These come with a 20-year written warranty.

If the sump pump fails because of frozen pipes, clogged lines, or any other reason, it can flood the basement. By installing an alarm that sounds at the first sign of a flood you will be able to take prompt action. The alarm can be connected to a home alarm so that you are alerted even if you are away from the house when the failure occurs.

Leaking water heaters too can quickly flood a basement. By installing a FloodRing and water alarm, you can ensure that any leaked water is diverted to the drain and you are alerted about the leak as well.

Hydrostatic Pressure

While failed plumbing causes quite a few flooded basements, another common cause of flooded basements is hydrostatic pressure. When water accumulates around the foundation of your home, the weight of the water forces it to enter the basement through porous concrete, cracks in the wall, joints between the wall and floor, gaps in openings made for pipes, and the floor. When this occurs it is best to lay drains around the perimeter of the basement and under the basement floor, collect the excess water and divert it away from the home using a sump and sump pump.

Basement and Foundation Repair

Homeowners planning to finish the basement so that it can be used as living space need to both waterproof the basement and repair it. They also need to check and repair the foundation. By undertaking basement repair of your Yonkers, NY, home, you will be able to ensure that it is comfortable to use. Check the basement for wall cracks, tilting or bowing walls, and sagging floors. By retaining a contractor with expertise in foundation repair, you will be able to correct these problems quickly at a low cost. The contractor will use wall anchors, crawl space supports, piers, and other products specially designed to repair damaged foundations.

When choosing a contractor for foundation repair in White Plains, NY, make sure that they offer a written, transferable warranty. This will add considerable value to your home if and when you plan to sell it.

Connecticut Basement Systems provides basement waterproofing in Westchester County. They provide basement waterproofing in Yonkers, White Plains, Ossining, Peekskill, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Mt Vernon, and other surrounding areas.