Most Common Causes of Residential Flooding

There are many hazards that can destroy your home, but one of the more common is flooding. Flooding can happen regardless of where you live because there are so many causes, and once the damage is done, you’ll need professional repairs to prevent mold and disease.

If you are worried about your home flooding, check out these most common reasons your home may flood, so you can avoid them.

Poor Drainage

If your yard and roof has poor drainage, you will probably experience flooding. One common but easy-to-fix problem with drainage is clogged gutters. If the water on the roof has no place to go because the gutters are clogged with debris, the water will just fall over the edge, near your home. Standing water so close to your home could find its way inside.

In some cases, however, you yard may simply be poorly designed. If you don’t have a lot of ground coverage and plants, the water can just sit on the exposed dirt. Depending on the type of soil you have, the water may quickly seep into the dirt, but if it doesn’t, it can find its way back to your home.

Other DIY fixes you can do include building a rain garden or creating a creek bed to transport water away from the home.

If you have major drainage issues, however, professional help may be best. New drainpipes or a French drain can help redirect water to the street. You can also have a dry well built. Dry wells are designed to hold water, so it can slowly seep into the ground without destroying your home and yard.

 

Foundation Damage

Even if you have a lot of water right outside your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will head right inside your home. First, it has to get through the foundation. Unfortunately, may things can cause foundation damage, and once cracks begin to appear, the water will find a way inside.

One common cause for foundation damage is standing water. Concrete is strong, but even it can’t resist the erosion powers of water. If you allow standing water to sit by your foundation for too long, it will wear down the concrete and create cracks and holes. The water gets inside these cracks, freezes, and expands the cracks until it reaches your basement or crawlspace.

Similarly, the sudden increase in soil moisture could cause the foundation to sink in that spot, which can cause it to crack. This is also possible if your foundation was not built properly, or the dirt under the foundation was not packed well prior to construction.

 

Broken Pipes and Appliances

The main reason floods can happen to anyone at any time is because they can easily be caused by a single broken pipe or malfunctioning appliance. If a pipe does burst, you’ll hopefully notice because of all the spraying water. However, if the pipe is hidden, or the crack is small, you may not see pooling water.

You can, however, look for other signs of water damage, such as mold and moisture. If a pipe bursts, turn it off at the source — the main water line — so make sure you know where yours is located.

Finally, malfunctioning appliances can also cause flooding. This is common with water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers because they use a lot of water. For this reason, maintain and replace your appliances when necessary. Also, avoid using them when you aren’t home to monitor.

A flood can destroy your home and everything inside of it, but some of the most common causes of flooding are preventable with proactive maintenance; keep your drainage system, foundation, and plumbing system in good condition.

To know more about how to fix flood damage, or if you already have flood damage, contact us at Apex Contracting and Restoration.