Basement water damage is the most common form of water damage and a huge source of frustration for many families. Higher humidity and higher water tables make leaky basements especially prevalent in the Midwestern United States. Whether dealing with a 1/4″ of water from an overflowed sink or 3 feet of water from a nearby river, we have the information to help you out.
First things first… If the electricity is still on and you have standing water, please leave the house and call a local professional. Some things are just not worth getting shocked to death!
Old and new homes alike both have potential for water problems in the basement. Early inspection and prevention is the key to a happy dry home. Since you are on this page, it is most likely too late to talk about prevention!
If you don’t know the source of the basement water, here are some important things to check:
- Has it rained recently (or raining now)? If so, feel the walls in the area where the water is located. Do any spots feel damp or have a powdery white deposit on them? If so, odds are you are near the source.
- If you can’t find any wet walls, you may want check your sewer drains. Many older homes have their rainwater routed to the sewer drain. This practice is no longer allowed for the very reason you may be experiencing now. When the sewer is overfilled with rainwater it can back up into your home.
- If it has not rained recently, it is time to check your plumbing. Grab a flashlight and follow your hand along all the pipes you have access to. If you have a burst pipe, you will have definitely found that out already. One of your pipes leading to your bathtub, sink, etc may have a slow leak that can be fixed with a little tightening (with any luck, this is your problem).
- If you have yet to find the source, it is time to make sure none of your drains are clogged. If a clog lies in the sewer line, you can fairly easily clean it yourself with the right tools. For safety’s sake, it may be best to call a local plumber for this one.
