A flooded basement is one of those things that you dread to ever see happen. The time and cost to repair a basement that has flooded can be overwhelming. There are several causes of flooding:

1. Through water seeping in through the walls, floors or windows of the basement.

2. Through sewer backups from the basement drain.

3. Improper gutters. If you're gutters are clogged or not working properly, this can cause rain water to build up and release in other ways.

4. You could have a yard that retains a lot of water. If the land your home sits on does not have a proper avenue for draining the excess water it can build up and cause a flooded basement.

If your home does not have proper drainage lines or even adequate gutters, there is a very good chance you'll be the victim of flooded basement. There are some simple preventative methods that can be used to help prevent possible basement flooding:

1. Review your homes drainage system. Is it connected properly? Is it flowing as it should?

2. To prevent sewer backups, never pour things like grease or thick liquids like paint down the drain. Also clean your drains out regularly for things like hair, paper, etc. that can often get clogged in the drain.

3. Check outside for trees that are close to your home. Are you at risk for any root growth that could cause your basement to flood?

4. Check for areas of soil erosion. Are there areas you need to build up or perhaps lower?

If you do have a flooded basement, never enter that basement until you know it's safe. There could be items moved all around in the water that could cause you to become trapped if you were to enter the basement. There is also a risk for electrical shock.

You want to check your basement a crawl spaces often to see if there are any areas where water is standing. This could be a warning sign of things to come if they aren't handled immediately.

Another cause of a flooded basement that is often overlooked is the flowers and shrubbery next to your home. If they are retaining a lot of water, this can cause flooding. If you have no other area for these plants then try putting a plastic liner between the ground and the plants. This will allow the excess water to run off into another area of your yard instead of building up against your home.

If you're building a new home, be sure to inspect the work done by your builder. Check their references. Too often a flooded basement has been caused by substandard work of a home builder.

When buying an older home, asks the realtor as many questions as you need when it comes to the home. Older homes can have "old" piping for drainage and sewers. You often see a flooded basement in these types of homes simply due to their age and the fact that they weren't taken care of properly over the years. You don't want to buy a home and end up paying thousands of dollars to drain your basement when it floods.

Basement flooding can be prevented if the proper measures are taken. A little time and effort in the beginning as well as along the way will save you a huge headache in the end. Get up now and review your home. Are you ready?