Is your flooded basement giving you a major headache? Being underground in nature, the basement is usually the room in the house most prone to flooding and water damage. While it is true that overflowing riverbanks, hurricanes, and storms, are the obvious causes of a flooded basement, what many people fail to realize is that even water build up in the surrounding soil can also lead to major flooding.



So how does a homeowner preserve his property from such a flooded basement? As in any situation, prevention is always better than cure. Putting in place the necessary preventive measures now will save you a great deal of heartache later, and money too. When left unattended, even a simple leak can turn into a huge water problem, and will expose you and your family to the health hazards that water damage brings.

For a start, if your house is made up of block walls, apply a waterproof coating. Skimping on this substance will not do at all. Always follow the manufacturer's spread rate specifications. If water persists to seep inside the walls after the first application, then by all means, apply a second coating.

Next, watch for signs of leaking in your water pipes. Telltale symptoms are water stains on your basement walls which, if followed, would appear to originate from the ceilings and the area above your basement. Keep in mind that any excess water caused by leaks in the main house which causes water to drip to where it should not, will all end up in the basement, causing a flooded basement. Corroded pipes, a broken toilet, a dishwasher in need of some repair --- all this could translate to a flooded basement if not attended to on time.

As mentioned earlier, a flooded basement could just as easily be caused by water build-up in the soil surrounding the basement walls and the house's foundations. Many causes could be attributed to this water build-up. The gutter system along the perimeter of your house should be working properly. Any leaks in the gutters could cause water to fall anywhere and saturate in the ground surrounding the house's foundations. Gutters should also be cleaned regularly to remove any fallen leaves that may have accumulated over time. In addition, downspouts should direct rainwater to be drained as far away from the house as possible.

A sump pump is increasingly becoming a common tool for prevention against a flooded basement for many home owners. By definition, a sump pump is a type of pump used to take away water from the sump pit, which is a hole in the basement floor used to gather water. The sump pit is positioned low enough for the water in the basement to drain to it, and the pump is then placed over it. A hose or pipe is attached to the output and should bring the water strategically away from the house.

The more common models of sump pumps nowadays operate using a "float" device akin to one found in a toilet tank, which activates the pump when the water is at a certain level. Upon reaching a previously set "low" level, the unit automatically turns off. In this manner, the pump will operate only when needed, but for larger flows as in a flooded basement, the sump pump is continually in operation.

Follow these preventive tips and rid yourself of the flooded basement blues.