Top Causes of Basement Flooding and How to Prevent It

If you are lucky enough to have extra living space in the form of a basement, flooding is a very real possibility for every sub-ground level space. Here at London Damp Specialists, we have a wealth of experience in dealing with basement flooding and in this short blog, we present common causes of basement flooding and ways to prevent moisture from entering the structure.

• Blocked guttering – If the guttering is blocked with moss and wet leaves, excess rainwater will run down the exterior walls and collect at the ground level. Clogged downpipes can also cause water to seep underground, which would damage a basement if not immediately addressed.
• Compromised sealant – There are several sealants that are used to waterproof a basement at ground level; older properties are more likely to encounter this issue and a thorough damp proofing test from one of our technicians would quickly reveal the cause and repairs can be done. We offer a basement tanking service that makes the cellar walls waterproof, keeping moisture out.
• Sloping ground – If a portion of your garden slopes toward the house, this could mean that water does not drain away, rather it gathers at the property line and this moisture can penetrate the basement walls, causing a lot of damage.
• Mains water leak – You could be losing water without realising it and a leaking pipe under the garden can lead to dampness penetrating your basement and the foundations of the house. A typical sign would be an area of the lawn that is greener than the rest, due to the constant seeping of water. Give us a call and we can test your basement for signs of moisture damage, then we can draw up a list of actions that solve the problem.
• Backed up sewers – In the event a sewer clogs, this could result in flooding, not just in the basement, but above ground too. This could be classed as a major disaster, which is one reason why you should have your drains power flushed on a regular basis. A drain unblocking specialist would use CCTV technology to get a close-up view of the drains, then they can carry out the unblocking.

If you have a basement and you are worried about flooding and water damage, call in a London-based specialist for basement tanking, which is a way to waterproof a basement. As basements are below ground level, moisture from the surrounding soil can easily cause damage; we at London Damp Specialists offer a total waterproofing solution for basements and cellars that involves adding a waterproof membrane to the floors, walls and ceilings.

Call us today on 020 8528 3864 and let the basement tanking experts protect your property, we have the know-how and the resources to come up with a complete solution. We also carry out damp surveys to determine the precise situation and come up with a workable solution that protects your property from water damage.