Are you currently battling water seepage in your basement after rain? Relax. This guide discusses the problem and provides what you should do.
Heavy rains can do a lot of damage to your basement if it isn’t well protected.
Due to the low position of the basement and the intensity of the rain, it will only be a matter of a short while before you find a pool of water in your basement.
Water Leaking Into Basement After Heavy Rain
Don’t panic if you’re currently experiencing this, as it is a common occurrence for many homeowners.
Also, I’m here to help you solve the problem by assessing the situation and giving you tips on what you can do.
All you have to do is read to the end.
Can Water Come Up Through Basement Floor?
The straightforward answer to this question is yes, water can come up through your basement floor after it rains.
Why Is Water Coming Up Through Basement Floor After Heavy Rain?
The reason you find the water coming out of your basement floor after a heavy downpour is due to hydrostatic pressure.
This is when groundwater has saturated the ground and is trying to push its way through. Eventually, the force of the water will be too much for the foundation and soil to bear, and it will make its way in.
The looser the soil of your basement floor, the easier it will be for water to push through after heavy rains.
Basement Walls Leak When It Rains
Water comes up from your basement floor for the same reason it leaks from your basement walls – Hydrostatics.
- Why your basement leak after heavy rain
As water seeps through the foundation, it will eventually make its way through your walls. This is most especially when your basement walls are made of concrete.
Remember, concrete has pores, and water can push its way through those tiny, microscopic holes. The water will leak profusely if the rain is very heavy and the foundation is not sealed.
Speaking of sealants, if you protect the inner surface of your concrete walls with waterproofing paint, then the leakages will stop – At least from the interior surface.
Waterproof paints aren’t the final solution to basement water problems, but they can help keep rainwater from squeezing through to the inner walls of your basement.
Water In Basement After Rain: Solutions
Having water in your basement after rainfall means you haven’t done enough to protect your basement from flooding.
Don’t beat yourself up, there’s always an opportunity to make amends. However, you need to take some vital steps first.
Here’s what you should do if you discover water in your basement after it rains.
Step 1: Cut the power before going into the basement
To be on the safe side, the first thing you need to do when you notice your basement is flooded is to cut off the electricity, at least in that area.
This is something you must do especially if the flooding is severe and has covered the entirety of the basement. If you don’t turn off the electricity, you will put yourself at risk of an electric shock as you set foot into the water.
An extra tip is to put on a pair of rubber work boots as you step into the flooded basement. Also, carry a flashlight or a battery-powered lamp for better visibility.
Step 2: Save what you can
Water can damage your property faster than you know. It can soak your books, vital documents, and any other valuable material made of paper. It can also destroy wooden furniture, although not as fast as it would to paper.
That being said, look around your basement and see what you can save. Take them out one by one and lay them in an open space where they can receive the sun’s rays (if there are any).
Remember it just rained, so outside will still be wet. Look for the driest surface to place your belongings on.
If your patio has a shade over it, it means it was spared from the rain. You can place your belongings there. You can also move your car out of your garage and store your property there.
If you have people living with you, ask them to help you carry your valuables outside. You would want to get them out as quickly as possible because the longer they sit in the water, the more damage they will be exposed to.
Go through each of them and keep the items that can still be fixed. As for the ones that have been damaged beyond repair, well, those have to go.
Step 3: Remove the standing water
Clearing out your valuables from the basement not only gives you a chance to save them but also creates space so you can remove the standing water without obstructions.
Since your basement got flooded, I can safely assume that you don’t have a sump pump or the one you have malfunctioned.
That being the case, you can use the traditional method of indoor water removal to remove the standing water – A scoop, bucket, and mop!
The scoop should be a small plastic bowl, which you will use to collect the water and pour it into the plastic bucket. Take the bucket outside once it’s full, then throw the water away.
Make sure you don’t throw the water close to your foundation, as it can creep back into your basement and flood it again.
Repeat the process until the bulk of the water is gone.
Step 4: Mop the floors
Grab your mop and go over the entire area until there is no more standing water. Squeeze the mop into the bucket when it gets saturated, and repeat until you’re done.
Step 5: Ventilate the basement
Once you’re done removing the standing water from the basement, the next thing you should do is open up your basement windows and turn on your fans to improve air circulation.
Doing this will help dry out the leftover moisture faster. Be sure to ventilate immediately after you clean the flood. Leaving the leftover moisture to dry on its own only leaves behind a nice environment for mold growth.
Remember, mold spores are flying everywhere in search of moist environments to land and multiply. And they only need 24 to 48 hours to start growing.
Step 6: Check on your belongings
While you ventilate the basement, you can go back outside to check on your belongings. Since they are soaked, you will have no choice but to leave them outside until they dry up.
Don’t be in a hurry to bring them in, as damp furniture carries a bad smell. It can also promote mold growth.
Go through the weather forecast and see if it is expected to rain soon. If the next few days will be bright and sunny, then you can leave them outside so the sun can do its job.
However, if more rains are expected the next day, then place your belongings in an outdoor section of your home that has a shade.
To speed up the drying process, you can use a blow drier on your furniture, carpet, and woodwork. You can also use a standing fan for extra support.
Return your things to the basement only when they are completely dry.
Step 7: Do a mold inspection test
Since you’ve just experienced a major water issue, it would be wise to carry out a mold inspection test. A professional mold inspector can do this for you.
If any mold is found, the inspector will discuss remediation plans with you. Once these plans are followed, all the mold will be eliminated from your basement.
Step 8: Fortify your basement
Look at all the stress you went through just because you didn’t protect your basement from rainwater. I’m sure you don’t want a repeat occurrence, which is why you need to take action now.
For starters, buy and install a sump pump, so that it will automatically pump away the water in your basement before it turns to a full-scale flood. If you already have one, then find out why it didn’t pump out the water in the first place, then fix whatever the problem is.
The second thing you need to do is seal the foundation so that groundwater cannot easily seep through. You would also want to unclog your drains (or install/re-install a new drainage system if need be).
You should also call a plumber to inspect and fix any leakages in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.
Other things you can do to protect your basement from rainwater floods include –
- Redo the landscape so it leans away from your foundation
- Replace cracked windows so rainwater can’t penetrate when closed
- Keep the basement windows closed during rainy seasons
- Install floor drains in your basement
Concluding On Water Seepage In Basement After Rain
Heavy rains can be a nightmare for home owners who have not taken any steps to protect their basement from rain water.
If you’re one of such home owners, then follow the steps listed in this article to continue life after a basement rainwater flood.
I hope this has been helpful.
Thanks for reading!