Basements are a great place to store some of our prized possessions. For creative people looking for that extra living space to create their own "hobby" area or gym, the basement affords the perfect solution to their needs. But most often than not, basements tend to become the least attended part of the house. Sometimes it may go unnoticed for weeks leaving water leaks enough time to cause a bigger problem - a flooded basement. A flooded basement can be harder to solve if prompt action is not taken, leaving you with water-damaged properties, rust, molds and even structural problems to your home.

Flooded basement is caused by many things. Often they are an aftermath of fierce storms and hurricanes. Residents of Flash Flood Alley, and neighboring cities in south Texas, deal with heavy rains, swelling rivers, broken fences and soaked basements every time they're hit by a major hurricane. The driving water outside can enter between the cracks of your basement wall and start to accumulate very rapidly. In this case, unfinished basements are more susceptible to flooding. Sometimes, flooding can also result from damaged sewer pipes running in and out of the basement. These pipes could fail and leak out because of blockage or simply because they are old and outdated.

Avoiding a flooded basement is another prime example of how prevention is more effective than cure. Check your basement regularly for any sign of leaks in the wall or faulty pipes. Take steps to prepare your home for the sudden surge of water especially during the storm season. One line of defense is to make sure you have gutters around the house (that are free of debris) that drain water away from your house. Pick up a hose and run water through to see if it ponds and this should tell you where the low areas are.

Protect your investment. While it may be inconvenient, it's definitely a good idea to keep your stuff up on higher areas if you feel you're in danger of a flooded basement. Once the basement is flooded, the first thing you would want to do remove the water, a task that is easily done with your handy mop or some old towels, provided that the flooding is not extensive. For more serious flooding, you should think about getting a portable sump pump or a wet vacuum to solve the flooding. Get the ones that have good corrosion resistance and huge flow capacity.

Working with the sump pump will most likely require you to find an accessible area or window in your house to slide a hose from the pump going to the outside. Most people find this more appealing than using a wet vacuum that will have you emptying its water container repeatedly. This may prove to be a bigger hassle especially if you have to empty the container outside the house. Still, both equipment should do a fair job at clearing a flooded basement and serve well in cleaning the basement in normal conditions.

Once the flooding has been drained, you should concentrate on drying next. If the weather permits it, you can open up windows to help in the drying process. Do not skip this step as molds and mildew love to grow in moist areas. Heating systems and fans should make this step easier. Another great way to keep moisture in check is by using a dehumidifier. Just remember to empty them frequently.

With the number of hurricanes and storms nearly doubling over the past decades, authorities and government offices have made people increasingly aware of the potential danger and losses tied with them. Hopefully, with enough preparation, people who live through the deluge will have something else to look forward to other than a flooded basement.