Having a basement is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, a basement can act as your storage facility or hangout spot. On the other hand, your basement can be the bane of your existence if it floods. With winter beginning in some parts of the nation and right around the corner in others, it’s time to do your part in preventing basement floods. You can’t prevent one, though, if you don’t know why your basement might flood in the winter, so read on to learn some of the reasons.
A Pipe Burst
Every basement has a variety of pipes, most notably cold-water pipes. If you don’t insulate cold-water pipes, you might have the unfortunate wakeup call of a pipe bursting and your basement flooding. If you experience a pipe burst, you need to shut the main water valve off, get a dehumidifier, and pump the water outside your home. If you stop the water flow and the water doesn’t drain, you either need to install a drain or check your drain for clogs.
Foundation Cracks
Most basements have cracked walls and floors. Cracks form for several reasons, allowing moisture to come through. If your basement is full of cracks, when you get a winter rainstorm or snowstorm and the snow melts, all that precipitation has to go somewhere. Typically, water is interested in the path of least resistance—which are foundation cracks.
Basements Are Warmer Than It Is Outside
Even if it’s well below freezing outside, your basement is probably warmer. All the snow and ice surrounding your foundation will melt over time because your basement can radiate heat outside the basement walls. All that heat will eventually cause accumulated snow or ice to melt and put pressure against your foundation, causing foundation cracks or penetration of existing ones.
Your Basement Isn’t Waterproofed
Every basement should be professionally sealed to prevent floods. There are several reasons to waterproof your basement before winter, mostly because it can lead to major issues in the future. Those issues can include worsening foundation problems that affect your home’s structural integrity. You need to protect your home from floods by waterproofing your basement. The cold weather and moisture can damage your foundation, pipes, and more, but waterproofed basement are less likely to be affected by harsh winter elements.
Basement floods are a nightmare; living in an area that gets cold just increases the risk of flooding. Now that you know why your basement might flood in the winter, go inspect your basement before it gets too cold and make any necessary changes before it’s too late.
