Basement Flooding

Weeping tiles and downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer

During heavy rainfall, the water from the roof eavestroughs that are connected to the weeping tile through the downspouts may cause weeping tiles to become overwhelmed. If your weeping tiles are connected to the sanitary pipes, this may cause rainwater or sewage to back up in your home.

Solution

To solve this issue, you can disconnect weeping tiles and downspouts from the sanitary sewer system. We recommend having a qualified plumber investigate disconnecting your weeping tiles and downspouts from the sanitary sewer system.

Malfunctioning sump pump

If your home has a sump pump, it may malfunction, and this could cause your basement to flood.

Solution

Be sure to maintain your sump pump properly and replace your sump pump if it no longer working. If your sump pump stopped working in the past, contact a qualified plumber to replace it. It is common for homes to lose power during severe storms, which can affect the sump pump. Install a battery backup on your sump pump to avoid this issue.

Surface water

Basement flooding can occur when:

• The ground is saturated around the foundation walls
• Weeping tiles are not working properly

Solution

Try smart landscaping to reduce basement flooding caused by surface water. Safe landscaping includes:

• Checking that the ground around your house slopes away from your foundation (keeps water from entering through cracks in the foundation or overloading weeping tiles)
• Directing your downspouts away from your home where water can be easily absorbed such as your lawn or garden
• Connecting the downspout to a rain barrel and directing the overflow hose towards your lawn or garden

Municipal sanitary sewer pipe full

Sewage can back up into your basement if the Town's sanitary sewer pipe is full due to large amounts of water.

Solutions

You can solve this by installing a flood proofing device. These include:

• Backwater valves
• Sewer lateral repairs
• Installations of sump pits and pumps
• Downspout disconnection

Electrical shock

When your basement is wet, there is a risk of electrical shock. Electricity can move through water or wet flooring and cause a severe electrical shock. Here are some tips to avoid an electrical shock:

• Don't enter your basement if you know or suspect water has risen above the level of electrical outlets, baseboard heaters or furnace
• If you're positive that you can safely do so, turn off the power at the main breaker switch before you enter the basement
• Don't enter flooded areas with natural gas appliances
• Do not use any appliances that have come in contact with floodwater

Gas leaks and odours

Here are some tips to follow if you smell a gas leak:

• Evacuate the building
• Open all doors and windows if it is safe to do so
• Don't use anything that could create static or a spark, such as an electrical switch
• Don't use lighters or matches and don't smoke

Pollutants

Sewage can contain bacteria and transmit disease. The floodwater in your basement may have originated from the sanitary sewer and could contain raw sewage. Wear protective items when you enter your basement, including:

• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Face mask

Wash thoroughly after any contact with sewage or items touched by sewage.

Chemicals

Cleaning may expose you to a wide range of contaminants, including those from the chemicals you're using to clean. Be sure to ventilate while you clean and open the windows. You should also limit your exposure and contact with chemicals as best as you can.

Structural damage

While this is not common, a flood with certain conditions may weaken walls or even ceiling structures. If there is any concern that structural integrity has been compromised, or you simply don't know, you should leave the area.

Infiltration flooding

When soil around your home becomes saturated or when the ground water level rises higher than your basement, water can get into your basement through cracks in the foundation walls and floor. This is considered infiltration flooding.

Overland flooding

Overland flooding happens when water flows overland and enters your basement through windows, doors, vents and other openings. This could be due to improper grading, exposed window wells, extreme weather conditions or underground pipes.

Sewer backup flooding

Extreme weather events can overwhelm the town's sewer system, resulting in flooding. When this happens the water level in the system rises above the design levels. This condition is referred to as surcharge.