3 Reasons Basement Flooding Is A Concern In NC

Property owners in North Carolina sometimes experience painful financial losses due to basement flooding problems. What causes this situation? Why do basements typically run a higher risk of sustaining destructive water damage than other parts of the home?

At least three factors contribute to common basement waterproofing issues. While circumstances vary from one residence to another, of course, these issues do often play a role in basement flooding. Consider three reasons why waterproofing experts pay especially close attention to the condition of residential basements:

#1.  Water Flows Downhill

First, remember the basement occupies the lowest level of the residence. As a result of gravity, water invariably follows the path of least resistance and trickles downwards. Even if the source of a flood occurs elsewhere, unless someone removes excess water it will tend to collect in the basement.

For example, imagine this worst case scenario:

A homeowner departs on a leisurely vacation, but forgets to turn off the faucet and remove the plug from a second floor bathroom sink. The sink lacks the capacity to completely contain the stream of water indefinitely. In all likelihood, water from the tap will soon spill out of the bathroom sink and splatter onto the floor. Over the ensuing days, the pooling water soaks most of the second floor carpeting and begins trickling down the stairs. Given a sufficient period of time and secure exterior doors, the household flood will ultimately cause water to collect in the lowest point in the residence: the basement. Water will flow towards the deepest spot in that location, in fact. If the homeowner installed an effective basement drain, hopefully the flood from the overflowing sink will drain out of the home from this site.

#2.  Water Sometimes Enters Homes Through Basements

Since basements lie at least partially below ground level, they also frequently take on water from outside the home. During extremely wet conditions, water may saturate the soil around or beneath a residence, for example. If defects occur in basement waterproofing systems, this moisture eventually seeps indoors. Small cracks in foundations and basement walls admit water. In other cases, water from outside the home soaks into basements through unsealed ground-level window or door frames. Water penetrates into residential basements due to a variety of possible causes.

Rooms on other levels of the home usually don’t sustain a high water damage risk. Unless a homeowner fails to correct a leaky roof or forgetfully allows a window or a door to remain open during a rainstorm, water from outside the premises has only a limited opportunity to penetrate into the interior. Water pooling inside the ground outside the residence by contrast readily flows into poorly waterproofed basements due to the force of gravity.

#3.  Dank Basements Potentially Damage Other Parts of the Home

Unfortunately, a wet basement holds significant potential to cause harm. If the lowest level of the home remains persistently damp, molds and mildews proliferate. These microscopic plants produce spores which degrade air quality.

When a sufficiently high mold burden exists, the residence acquires a distinctive, stuffy odor. This smell occurs as a result of a high spore count. Since mold spores cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, mold potentially diminishes both the comfort of residents and the resale value of the property.

Builders Prioritize Dry Basements Highly Today

For all these reasons, obtaining a comfortable, dry basement serves as a high priority for most home builders. Basement flooding causes concern in this part of North Carolina. Although new construction frequently contains built-in waterproofing measures, unfortunately older homes in this area sometimes lack these technologies. Property owners may benefit by installing basement sump pumps, interior drainage systems, and sealants.

Molds hold the potential to grow on fabrics, drywall, and wood. Damp, chronically moist basement conditions sometimes cause homeowners to sustain financial losses. Property owners who hope to finish portions of an unfinished basement for residential use cannot accomplish this goal effectively when wet basements produce persistently moist conditions, for example. A homeowner may expend considerable sums improving the basement, only to discover mold soon damages the newly refurbished site. The bottom line: basement waterproofing matters enormously in this region!

Request Basement Interior Drain Assistance

Does your basement flood frequently? Would you appreciate assistance from a waterproofing firm in evaluating the utility of an interior basement drainage system for your property? Drainage & Waterproofing Solutions LLC specializes in this field. Our company seeks to provide a variety of customized solutions for common basement flooding problems. We serve customers throughout Raleigh, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, and outlying areas. Request a waterproofing inspection today by calling us at 919-508-7503 or 919-235-5219. We look forward to speaking with you soon!