What Should You Do if Your Basement Flooded?

A flooded basement is never planned and usually not much fun to have happen.  Overwhelming is what a flooded basement or other flooded area can be.  So, start with figuring out where the water is coming from . Depending on the cause and size of the leak, large quantities of water may be present that make detection of the actual leak difficult. Conversely, slow leaks may also create the same challenge in identifying the actual origination point of the leak.  To evaluate wet areas, a surface penetrating moisture meter such as the Delmhorst, a surface moisture meter, or an infrared (IR) thermographic camera can be used.  The tools evaluate the moisture in the building walls, floors and structural components affected by a water leak.

If you think the cause is rainwater, check your gutters for leaves and debris. Also, check to make sure your downspouts are in place and lead water away from your house.  Another common cause of flooding is sump pump failure.    Check your sump pump, see if it is pumping water like it should.   If it is not working, it may be time for a new one or a larger pump if it simply cannot keep up with the water coming in.

However, if it is has not been raining, perhaps a broken pipe is causing the flooding, shut off the water at the source.  To determine where the pipe is broke, look around your utility room and around the walls and ceiling to determine the cause.  Often times in Michigan, over the winter the water spigot freezes and leads to a burst pipe.  So, when you are out watering your lawn, your basement is flooding.  Remove the water and start drying out the area to prevent mold growth.