Home » Basement Flooding Causes | ServiceMaster in Neptune, NJ

Basement Flooding Causes | ServiceMaster in Neptune, NJ

causes of basement flooding in neptune nj

The basement is the most common area of the home to suffer from flood damage.

This is most obviously because a basement’s low elevation is more likely to gather water runoff during severe rainstorms.

However, there are many other causes of basement flooding to watch out for.

Why Do Basements Flood?

Appliance Leaks

The basement is often home to several critical appliances that run on water or run water through them. These include your washing machine and water heater, the two most likely culprits in a basement flood scenario.

It’s important to maintain these appliances and not to keep them past their recommended replacement date.

Pipe Bursts

Pipes running water throughout your home often converge in the basement because that is the foundation of the structure.

Pipes also pass water through the water heater, typically located in the basement.

If you suffer a frozen pipe burst, pipe leak, or other breakages, this will most commonly occur in the lower level of your home.

Gutter Overflow

If gutters are not properly cleaned and maintained, they can spill rainwater down the sides of the house.

This gutter overflow typically ends up pooling near the foundation of the home, and seeping into the basement.

Water damage due a broken pipe. Moisture problem and wet floor. Horizontal, selective focus

Sump Pump Failure

The job of a sump pump is to push water out and away from your home. It’s typically located in the basement within a constructed pit.

A malfunctioning sump pump is a common cause of water damage and basement flooding.

Improper Drain Placement

During a rainstorm, the goal of your home’s landscaping and drain placements should be to direct water away from your foundation.

If you observe water pooling toward the house during a rainstorm, you may need to rethink your current drain setup, or even consider installing a French drain to better route water away from the home.

Bad Basement Sealing

Regardless of how well you direct water from your house, the ground outside will inevitably collect moisture during heavy rain.

If the foundation of your home is not properly sealed to prevent water damage, this groundwater will gradually seep into the basement.

This doesn’t always cause an outright flood, but it can easily lead to mold forming in the basement due to the increased moisture levels.

When to Contact a Professional

Even when you take all the best measures to prevent a basement flood, emergencies can still happen.

A sump pump failure, washing machine leak, pipe burst, or severe rain are all scenarios where a professional water restoration service should be contacted.

ServiceMaster by Replacements provides water damage restoration and basement flood cleanup in Neptune, NJ and surrounding areas.

We are IICRC-certified and are available 24/7 at (732) 842-6917 to respond to basement flood emergencies.