Unexpected water in your basement can harm carpeting, degrade walls and floors, sabotage furniture, and promote mold growth. A wet basement can harm priceless goods like antiques because these areas are frequently used for storage. But have you ever wondered why water comes up through your basement floor drain after heavy rain?

Water coming up through your basement floor drain after heavy rain may be caused by a clogged sewer line, a sump pump failure, a sewer line backup, hydrostatic pressure, or other plumbing issues. 

This article will explore these possible causes in detail and suggest some solutions to prevent or mitigate the issue.

Causes Of Water Leakage Into The Basement

Apart from visible flooding in your vicinity, there are various typical origins of water infiltration in basements.

Infiltration Of Surface Water Into The Basement

The first thing to look at if you have water problems in your basement for the first time is whether surface water flows toward the foundation walls. Surface water problems are indicated by water in a single location or along the outer foundation wall.

Therefore, always check and remove leaves and other debris from gutters, and install devices to stop leaves from falling into the gutters. Moreover, checking your gutters is also advisable to ensure water is not overflowing. It might erode the soil from the house’s footings and cause cracks in the walls and ceilings.

Besides, downspouts should stretch at least 10 feet from your home to discharge water sufficiently far from the house. Adding to that, make sure the pavement and landscaping around it slope away from it to prevent water from running toward the foundation walls of your home. The slopes will turn the water away in the other direction.

Furthermore, any cracked sealant around the house’s bordering pavement should be replaced. Also, A minimum of eight inches should also be left between the top of the ground and any wood or stucco on the house.  Fill in any depressions near the foundation walls with clay-type soil that sheds water.

Another important aspect to consider is whether any significant hills in the area slope toward your property, as it might be the source of the issue. Call a civil engineer if this is the root cause of the water problem.

You can also use a functional rain gauge to solve the issue. Avoid installing lawn irrigation adjacent to the house, or reduce the water distributed there. Avoid excessive irrigation.

Watch this video explaining the possible causes of water leakage in basement after rainfall:

Water Leak in Basement After Rain [Animation]

Hydrostatic Pressure Caused By Groundwater

You can experience the following problems due to hydrostatic pressure brought on by groundwater in some homes: 

• Groundwater – Basement flooding may be caused by subsurface groundwater under hydrostatic pressure without nearby surface water sources. It may force water through microscopic fissures and into the basement through the concrete floor or other openings.

• Location of the drain system – An older home’s perimeter foundation drain system may be directly connected to the city’s storm drainage system in communities with basements but no sump pump. 

Stormwater can back up and soak the soils around the home at the basement level with hydrostatic pressure, causing water to pour in if the basement level is below the street level.

You can set up a perimeter drain system to release hydrostatic pressure to manage subterranean groundwater. This device prevents damage to carpets, walls, or possessions by channeling groundwater into a sump pit and pumping it outside.

Water Damage Precautionary Measures

Water damage can be expensive to repair, whether caused by a plumbing leak, roof leak, or a wet basement. Here are a few home upgrades to lessen your risk of experiencing water damage:

• Install a proper drainage system into your house or improve it if it already exists. Ensure water is directed away from your home and its foundation using gutters and downspouts. 
• Increase the size of the downspout or add another downspout to that length of the gutter for the quickest fixes to overflowing gutters. The second downspout can serve as a backup if the first one is blocked; therefore, adding a third downspout is likely the best option between these two.
• Make sure the contractor enlarges the matching hole in the gutter if you swap out the present downspout for a bigger one.
• Put in a sump pump. If water damage has been a significant issue in the bottom level of your home, try this addition. Consider purchasing a battery-powered backup pump in case the power goes out, and opt for a cast iron sump pump because it might last longer. Test your pump every two years or as directed by the manufacturer.
• Upgrade your plumbing. If you live in an old house with a pipe that spans 50 to 80 years, ask a plumber to assess its condition. It may be necessary to replace PVC pipes every 25 to 40 years.
• Install a mechanism for finding water leaks. When the system notices water on the floor or an irregular flow in the pipe, an automated water shut-off valve, a water leak detection system, will turn off the water supply to the house.
• Look for new windows and doors that provide waterproof choices. Older wood windows occasionally need to be cleaned, repainted, and refinished. Trim cracks should be repaired. Older windows’ glazing compound should occasionally be updated.
• Water damage may be reduced or avoided using thick coatings, paint, and sealants based on silicate. The cost and application of each method differ.
• Change the washing machine supply hoses after every three to five years as a preventative maintenance strategy.

Conclusion

Several reasons result in a water drainage leakage in your house basement. It includes the failure of a sump pump, an issue with the sewage line backup, or numerous other possibilities. Therefore, it is important to take precautionary measures timely or else you will end up paying hefty amounts to cover up the losses.