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Basement Flooding: All You Should Know About It

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Give us a call today: 613 791 5777 for a free upfront estimate!How Can You Reduce The Risk Of Ottawa Basement Flooding

Basement flooding is one of the most common plumbing problems and every homeowner has most likely faced it at least once in their life. It can happen due to a variety of reasons and it is always a nightmare to deal with. Flooding can damage your basement walls, floors, and any expensive appliances or furniture you might have in the room.

Causes of Basement Floods 

Basement floods can happen due to a number of reasons and in most cases, it’s related to your plumbing system. Listed below are some of the common causes of basement floods:

  • Bad roof drainage,
  • Weak and cracked foundation walls,
  • Poor grading along the foundation walls,
  • High water table,
  • Sewer backup,
  • Leaking pipes.

If you want to reduce the risk of Ottawa basement flooding, there are a number of different things that you are able to do.  These are some of the best tips that come directly from the qualified professionals at Dr. Pipe Drain And Plumbing.

Reduce The Risk Of Storm Water Flooding

If you want to reduce the overall risk of storm water flooding, these are some of the most important steps that you have to go through:

  • Check for leaks in the foundation, windows, floors, and walls. Make sure that any leaks are repaired entirely.
  • Make sure that the ground slopes away from the exterior walls of your home by improving your lot grading.
  • Make sure that you are not accidently creating a dam (that retains the water next to your house) because of the borders around shrub and flower gardens.
  • Make sure that you remove leaves (and other debris) from your downspouts and your eaves. troughs. Make sure that your downspouts are working properly and they are directed at least six feet away from the home.

Basement flooding

Reduce The Risk Of Sewage Water Flooding

The last thing that you want to deal with is raw sewage during a Ottawa basement flooding. These tips are going to help you prevent issues with sewage water:

  • If you have your downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer system, make sure that you disconnect them.
  • Install a sump pit with an automatic sump pump if you want to make sure that drainage is removed properly.
  • Make sure that the drainage from your weeping tiles is not directed towards the sanitary sewer system.
  • Make sure that you use backwater valves on your sanitary sewer lateral inside the basement. This is going to help reduce the risk of sewage in your basement during a Toronto basement flooding. It is a good idea to have a professional complete this step, especially because these backwater valves are going to play an important role during an actual Ottawa basement flooding.
  • Make sure that you regularly inspect floor drains, sump pumps, and backwater valves to make sure that they are working properly. Regular inspections and maintenance can make all the difference.

Take the Right Precautions for Preventing Basement Flooding

1. Repair the Roof Drainage 

A damaged roof gutter system is one of the most common causes of basement flooding. If the gutter system is intact, all the water that falls on your roof is directed away from the foundation walls of your home. If the gutters are damaged or misaligned, the water will flow down the siding wall and soak into the ground around the basement. That can cause leaks and floods. If you want to avoid flooding, you should inspect and repair your roof drainage system before the wet season starts.

2. Grade the Landscape

On most properties, the landscape is graded to direct water away from the foundation walls. If the water flows back towards your property, it means the land isn’t graded properly. You would have to call in professional plumbers to install French drains and grade the land properly in order to avoid basement flooding.

3. Fix Wall Cracks 

No matter how well your land is graded or how efficient your roof gutter system is, if the foundation wall has cracks, the water will seep in. You should inspect your foundation walls regularly to check for water damage and leaks and repair the problem immediately. Your basement will flood during snowfall or rain if you don’t seal the cracks immediately.

4. Take Care of High Water Table

Homes built on high water tables are often susceptible to basement flooding. In such areas, the ground water level is quite high and can surround the foundation walls. The water level will rise during the wet season and fall during the dry season and this can cause regular basement floods. Install a sump pump or add French drains to your property to address the issue. High water tables will keep causing basement floods if you don’t install a system to direct water away from your property.

When you are dealing with your basement flooding, you need to call a plumber immediately. The flood water needs to be cleared immediately in order to avoid extensive damage and plumbers will have the right tools accomplish that.

Basement flood

Two Systems that Can Help You at Basement Flooding

If you are looking to protect your basement from the damage that comes from a lower level flood, then a sump pump is definitely necessary. Even with this piece of equipment in place however, you still need to think even further ahead and have a backup system in the waiting. Why? Sump pumps work well provided there is electricity. The power goes out and the pump stops working. Sometimes sump pumps are just old and worn out so they no longer do their job, and yes, as unfortunate as it is, it is possible to invest in a defective product.

You have two options to choose from if you really want to ensure the integrity of your basement and home: a battery backup or a water-powered backup. Let us look at how these systems work:

System Option #1: Battery Backup

  • This system is obviously powered by some kind of battery. When you lose electricity, whether it is due to a tripped circuit or power outage, the backup system will keep the sump pump operational for a limited amount of time. The system can usually power the pump from eight to 12 hours. This will allow for ample time to pump any other water out of the sump pit.
  • Please note: If your home is dependent on water that comes from a well, your best option is one that is battery powered.

System Option #2: Water-Powered Backup

  • When you rely on a backup system powered by water, you can definitely protect your home from accidental flooding. Your water lines will power the unit by supplying it with the water it needs to do so. When you have running water, the pump will remain operational, even if the power goes out. In fact, this system needs no electricity whatsoever to work.

A backup system in your home is the right choice and for a minimal investment, it will give you some serious peace of mind.

How to Clean Up After a Basement Flood?

If the flooding is happend, what you can do?

  • Remove the Items – The first step is to remove all of your expensive devices and furniture from the basement before the flood water causes more damage. Your plumber can help with that.
  • Clear the Flood Water – The next step is to remove the flood water. Plumbers will use efficient pumps to draw all of the water from the basement to a different location. They will do this in a clean, organized fashion to ensure there’s no damage to your property.
  • Repair the Problem – Water will just seep back into the basement is the problem isn’t addressed immediately. A good plumber will inspect your plumbing system, foundation walls, and landscaping around the basement before they recommend a solution.
  • Remove the Moisture – You should clear the moisture and humidity from your basement immediately after the plumbers repair the problem. You can use industrial fans and dehumidifiers to remove all access moisture. You can also open any windows you might have to let natural sunlight in. If you allow the moisture to linger, your basement would develop mold and that would affect your health.

If you want to inquire about the potential installation of either system mentioned above, contact the qualified, licensed, and bonded professionals at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services and you can be sure that they are will to make appointment for you. Do not allow the threat of flooding to ruin your day when you are out and about or just wanting to enjoy a quiet night, make sure that you are adequately prepared. Expert plumbers at Dr. Pipe Drain and Plumbing Services will be happy to answer any questions you have so give them a call at 613 791 5777.

Give us a call today: 613 791 5777 for a free upfront estimate!

Testimonials

Trenchless Sewer Pipe

I received two quotes for my plumbing. The quote from Dr. Pipe was good, but what I really appreciated was the fact that the professionals at Dr. Pipe took their time to look at the issue, do the research, and actually SHOW me the problem in real-time. The other company never did give me an exact quote, and I was quite worried about potential “unexpected costs.” Both Max and the rest of his crew were extremely professional, kept the area as neat and tidy as possible, and cleaned up after they were done. Despite the fact that I was not actually onsite during the entire three-day process, I felt comfortable enough to give them a key to the property. When someone actually came and took something from the property (I was expecting them to), Max actually called my private number and asked me whether this was OK. I would highly recommend the services of Dr. Pipe.

Rick S.

Backed-Up Drain

It is not often that a plumbing company is able to save you 10,000 dollars. We had experienced a serious drain backup and received quotes from five different drain and plumbing specialists. These included some of the more popular local names, and a few that received a very high ranking on HomeStars. Most of them scoped the drain and told me all the root issues and the critical deficiencies that would continuously lead to problems. They suggested that that we crack the floor, replace the drainpipe, and have the pipe from the front lawn excavated, I would be looking at around $5-10k!

Max did the same exact research that these other companies did, but he told me that the drain was not deficient at all; in fact, it had many more years left! I know that Max was honestly biting his tongue when we discussed what these other companies had said. He rooted the drain (very fast) and there has not been a single issue with our pipes since.

Grant

Drain Work and Sump Pump Installation

Max was the first person to respond to our call for help after our basement flooded. He was quick in determining what the root of the issue was, and fixed the problem quickly. In addition to finding the issue, he also showed us a (potential) issue in our sanitary and storm water drains. He managed to find the possible issue with the drain-camera in a quick amount of time.

Max was courteous and professional when it came to helping us find future issues as well. He helped us alleviate concerns about future problems, thanks to his professional explanation. I have to admit I was also pleasantly surprised by the work of his crew. They cleaned their area thoroughly each time as well. Now I know that extensive repairs are never going to be cheap, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the pricing was. Max even helped us fill out the necessary paperwork to file for our basement flooding prevention subsidy.

Stewart

Drain Replacement, Backflow Valve, Sump Pump, Etc.

When I woke up this morning, I was not expecting my basement to have transformed into a full-blown lake. One of our neighbors recommended Dr. Pipe. Our neighbors had needed to replace some of the drains under their home and also recently had a backwater valve installed.

Max came to us and talked about the quote. One of the great things about the discussion was that he took his time and explained everything to me. I remember that Max took the time to make sure that both my partner and I were on the same page and understood everything.

I really want to be honest and admit that I was not particularly friendly that day, I had already received three different quotes, and I just wanted the work to get started. We still decided to go with Max’s company, despite the fact that we already had several other quotes. It was not just about money that we were going to pay, it was about quality, it was about trust, it is about wanting to give my business to a company that wanted ME as a customer.

I can tell you that both Max and his crew came across as polite, clean, honest, and reliable. They were extremely pleasant to work with. The quality of the work that they delivered is excellent, and it certainly added value to the home. Even our insurance rates went down because of the quality work.

It is extremely comforting to know that I have peace of mind the next time that the rain comes down. During the last late-fall storm, it was extremely comforting to hear the sump pump turn on, that sound really allows you to sleep soundly at night.

I have no doubt that the pipes are going to be fine once the tree roots are growing and the snow melts. It is comforting to know is that even if they are not fine, I know that Max is going to be a phone call away to help me set things right. I would honestly be shocked if Max somehow did not uphold the warranty that we have. Honestly, that is the level of trust that we have in Max.

Max

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