Preventing Flooded Basements in Weston, CT

10/18/2022 (Permalink)

Preventing basement flooding in Weston, CT can be easier if homeowners take the proper steps.

Nearly all basements will experience flooding or water damage at some point. Although it's not something homeowners expect, it can happen at any time.

When water floods your basement, it can cause serious issues throughout your entire property, including damage to your walls and floors, cracks in your foundation, and more.

So how can homeowners help to avoid flooded basements in Weston, CT? Here, we will outline why your basement is flooding, how to handle the water damage, as well as how to prevent flooded basements in the first place.

Need Flooded Basement Cleanup in Weston, CT? Call Us 24/7 - 203-707-1952

Why Is Your Basement Flooding?

There are several reasons why your basement may be flooding. The most common causes include:

1. Leaking or burst water heater
2. Heavy rains
3. Excessive snow melt
4. Burst pipes
5. Sewage backups

1. Water Heaters

Hot water heaters are one of the most common appliances to cause water damage inside your home. When proper maintenance is neglected, water heaters are likely to leak or burst, which can cause up to 40 to 120 gallons of water to flood your basement.

2. Heavy Rains

Since basements are located at the base of your home, they are inherently prone to flooding during periods of storms or heavy rains. When the ground around your home’s foundation becomes saturated, gravity helps water force its way through the concrete and into your basement.

If there are cracks in your foundation or improperly installed windows, water can also slip through that way.

3. Excessive Snow Melt

When warmer weather follows after large snow storms, any snow that is piled up around your home can quickly melt, allowing water to pool around and seep into your foundation.

4. Burst Pipes

When a water pipe bursts inside your home, it can cause extensive flooding or water damage.

There are several reasons why a pipe may burst, such as water freezing inside your pipes, high water pressure, and old or corroded pipes.

5. Sewage Backups

Depending on where they take place inside your home, sewage backups or toilet overflows are also another common cause of flooded basements. Most sewage backups are due to:

• Broken sewer lines
• Roots growing into sewer pipes
• Flushing items like diapers or sanitary napkins down the toilet
• Heavy rains

What To Do When Your Basement Floods

1. Don't immediately enter a flooded crawl space or basement! The most important step is making sure that the affected area is safe to enter. If there’s a substantial amount of standing water, you should turn off your electricity and gas first.
2. Determine the source of the water. In order to figure out your next steps, you need to understand where the source of the water is coming from. If the flooding is due to heavy rains, you should wait until the storm ends and water stops flowing into your basement. If you’re dealing with a burst pipe, sewage backup, or burst hot water heater, turn off your water immediately.
3. Begin removing water. If there are only small puddles of water, you can use a wet dry vacuum, towels, or a mop and bucket. If there's a few inches or more of standing water, we recommend calling a professional basement water removal company. SERVPRO of Westport/Fairfield uses specialized equipment to quickly extract all water from your basement to help mitigate damages.
4. Dry out your basement as well as possible. Remove any wet belongings so they can dry, and set up any fans or dehumidifiers you have. If there was a lot of standing water for an extended period of time, SERVPRO of Westport/Fairfield can help with our advanced equipment and moisture meters to make sure your basement is completely dry.
5. Begin the cleaning process. Since water damage can often leave behind dirt, bacteria, and mold spores, it’s important to make sure that all affected surfaces have been properly sanitized. This step also helps to prevent the growth of mold or mildew, as well as any unwanted odors.
6. Fix the cause of your flooded basement. You want to take preventative measures to make sure your basement won’t flood again. 

How To Prevent Flooded Basements in Weston, CT

Water in your basement can often be avoided through regular upkeep, maintenance, and visual inspections.

1. Have Your Water Heater Serviced Once Per Year - While it’s often forgotten, maintaining your hot water heater helps to remove sediment and other debris that have accumulated over time. Having a professional service your water heater once per year can dramatically decrease the chances that it will malfunction or leak.
2. Waterproof Your Basement - There are several ways to waterproof your basement. Some methods involve directing water away from your home’s foundation and installing a sump pump or floor drain. Since basement waterproofing can be dangerous, we recommend seeking help from a professional waterproofing company.
3. Take Steps to Prevent Burst Pipes - Water discoloration and low water pressure are a couple of key indicators of aged or corroded pipes that could leak or burst. It’s especially important to take notice of your water pipes during the winter because of freezing temperatures.
4. Be Cautious of What You Flush Down the Toilet - A common cause of sewage backups is flushing improper items down the toilet, like diapers or sanitary napkins.

Need Flooded Basement Cleanup in Weston, CT?

When your Connecticut home sustains water damage from a flooded basement, SERVPRO of Westport/Fairfield can provide immediate assistance. 

With over 15 years of experience in water damage restoration services, our team of IICRC Certified specialists have all of the training and resources needed to handle any size disaster. Our 24/7 emergency response is crucial to preventing damages from worsening or spreading, saving you time and money.

When you call SERVPRO of Westport/Fairfield for flooded basement cleanup in Weston, CT, our goal is to make your basement flood “Like it never even happened.”

• 24/7 Emergency Services

• Water Damage Restoration Specialists

• Mold Remediation Services

• FREE Estimates

• Directly Bill Your Insurance Company

Call Us 24/7 For Immediate Assistance - 203-707-1952