Depending on your area and landscaping, even a little bit of rain can lead to flooded basements.
Weather in this area can be a little unpredictable. Sometimes all we can know for sure is that there will weather of some sort. One common thing in our area is flooding when that weather is rain, however. Depending on your area and landscaping, even a little bit of rain can lead to flooded basements. Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent a flooded basement and avoid the gross, sometimes dangerous, water damage it causes.
What Causes Flooding?
There are many reasons that your basement may flood, some internal and some external. Heavy rains that raise the water table, or simply overwhelm your house’s foundation are a common culprit. However, burst pipes, broken appliances (like the water heater or the washer), or sewage backups can also cause flooding. No matter the cause, the end result is often not pretty. Water in your basement can pose a safety hazard in terms of bacteria (especially with sewage), electrical risk, and mold growth. Having a professional who can do remediation after the fact is good, but it would be even better to not flood in the first place.
Can Pumps Help?
Having a pump in your basement is one of the best ways to limit how much, if any, water gets in. The main option is a sump pump. A sump pump is installed beneath the ground level and removes ground water before it can rise to flooding levels. This water is diverted through pipes outside and away from the foundation so that it runs away from the house. Sump pumps require electricity, but they often have a battery backup so that they continue to work even in the event of a power outage.
Other Ways To Prevent Flooding
While sump pumps are the most common way to prevent flooding, there are other solutions. Some homeowners opt for french style drains, or more commonly landscaping that creates “dry streambeds” that can divert flowing water around the house. This is great if your flooding issues are only caused by flowing water. If they’re caused by water level rise or an internal issue like a broken pipe, these won’t help, however. Even with landscaping changes, many people find that they still need to install a sump pump to truly fix the problem.
All of Your Plumbing Needs from Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100 or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with your dripping faucet (or just about anything else plumbing related!). We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest