Winter basement flooding - why does it happen?

Winter basement flooding - why does it happen?

4 minute read

Any homeowner is familiar with such unfortunate events as basement flooding. It can happen all year round and due to many reasons. However, the biggest problem with basement flooding is that it brings a lot of damage. Most of us tend to store things in our basements, keep washing machines, dryers, and other equipment there or use it as a food storage area.

Any way you look at it, basement flooding is one of the most dangerous and destructive events. It can affect the structure of the whole building and your life and wellbeing in general.

In this article, we shall discuss why your basement is likely to get flooded this winter and spring and what you can do to avoid basement flooding or minimize its consequences.

Why would my basement get flooded this winter?

Technically, there are two types of basement flooding - the one that happens from within the house or the flooding that comes from the street.

Let's discuss the most common reasons households get flooded today.

basement flooding

Equipment failure

The first reason your basement may get flooded is the failure of various equipment and appliances you may keep there. Washing machines and dryers and water pumps and heaters tend to fail for many reasons, from a trivial wear-off to physical damage, manufacture defect, etc.

However, this kind of basement flooding happens most often in winter. Water may freeze in pipes and hoses and damage the equipment from within. Different materials can also crack and leak due to extreme temperatures or temperature changes during the day.

Heavy snow

Heavy snow is another common reason for the winter basement flooding. If you don't clean the snow off the area around your house, it may damage the basement door and the structure of your home, cause cracks and leaks.

Since the temperature may slightly change during winter, snow may start melting. However, the soil will still remain frozen, and therefore the melted snow won't have any other place to go than your basement, causing the flood.

Spring floods

Spring floods are happening more and more often and in more places every year. Climate change and global warming lead to a dramatic temperature contrast between different seasons.

There is more and more snow every year, the winters become tougher, and soil freezes. When spring comes and the snow starts melting, the ground still remains too cold to absorb it. The metered water streams towards the nearest water bodies, lakes, rivers, etc.

Even the most minor and most peaceful creek may turn into a stream of raging water and mud in a matter of several minutes during spring floods. And, of course, your basement will be the first one to take a beat.

Damage to the building

Even the most minor crack in the foundation can become a welcoming gate for the floodwater into your basement. It is essential to inspect your basement thoroughly at least once a year to make sure that the foundation is sealed perfectly.

The best time to do it is in the autumn after heavy rain, when water may find a way into your basement through the tiniest cracks and leaks in the basement.

Remember that the best flood gate or barrier or any other flood control solution will be inefficient if the very structure of your basement cannot withstand flooding.

Ice build-up

If the winters in your area are particularly long, you risk facing a severe ice build-up that can b another reason for basement flooding.

It is essential to clear the area at least 2-foot from the building to prevent heavy snow and ice pressure on the walls and basement door and avoid flooding from occasional melting due to rising temperature during the day.

Basement flooding is a severe issue for many homeowners. Even if the house itself does not get flooded severely during the flood season, basement flooding is a much more probable and destructive event that happens more frequently.

 Protecting your basement from flooding guarantees the safety and comfort of the whole building, as basement flooding can lead to structural damage and the development of mold, fungus, and other long-term consequences.

Installing a flood barrier on your basement door before the winter or right before the flood season will save you a great deal of time, money, and effort this season. Since it takes only several minutes to deploy flood barriers, they are the most efficient solution even for the notorious flash floods.

Contact Dam Easy to learn more about our flood barriers and other anti-flooding solutions that will help you avoid basement flooding this season and its consequences for many years.

Flood Barrier Door Dam - Ultimate Flood Gate

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DAM EASY® FLOOD GATE - DOOR DAM    Floods are becoming more common around the world. What was once a 100-year phenomenon is now a seasonal trend that homeowners must deal with.   That’s EXACTLY why you need this Dam Easy Flood… Read More

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