It’s a nightmare scenario: you head down to the basement with a basket of laundry or after hearing a weird noise in the middle of the night, only to find puddles, leaks… maybe even a flood. Water in the basement can be a serious problem, but it’s usually fixable. First off, stay calm — this doesn’t necessarily mean the whole house is going to be damaged. We have a few pieces of advice to help you out, whether you’re just dealing with a water leak or if it’s a full-on flood.
How Does Water Get Into the Basement, Anyway?
There are a lot of reasons for a leak or flood. A very heavy rainfall and an older or leak-prone foundation, basement windows that need re-sealed, or even outside vents may combine to create fairly regular water leaks. Even well-built home foundations can fall prey to issues after a sudden precipitation outburst. The removal of large trees near your home and plumbing issues like burst, frozen, or leaking pipes can also be involved.
Depending on how old your home is and what your foundation is made of, you may find water in the basement semi-regularly. Homes tend to “settle” over time, which can compromise the foundation’s solidity. Small cracks form, becoming larger over time, and give water just the spot it needs to find its way in. If you suspect foundational issues are to blame for your basement leaks and flooding, you’ll most likely need to speak to a home contractor about a fix.
On the other hand, if your washing machine, water heater, or any other plumbing-related appliances are located within your basement, it may be worth checking to see if they’re leaking, or if the pipes in your basement are to blame. In that case, call in a professional plumber to take a look.
It’s Definitely a Plumbing Issue. What Do I Do?
Call in a professional. Donnelly’s Plumbing Heating and Cooling is available to help 24/7, so we can have someone out to help, no matter what time the leak is discovered. If you’re looking at a serious flooding issue, you’ll need to shut off the electricity to the area before you go down to take a look. This is essential to protect your own safety. A wet-vac or shop vacuum may be needed to remove the bulk of water buildup before any repairs can be done.
Do you use a sump pump? We have experience working with these, as well as with replacing or installing brand new sump pumps, so we’d be happy to help you with getting the water out of your basement ASAP.
Will I Have to Replace Everything?
Not necessarily. If the actual appliances located in the basement are undamaged or can be repaired, you may not need to worry about expensive replacements. However, if there is a burst pipe or a leak out of a basement appliance that causes a serious water buildup or flood, then you may need to price out a replacement washing machine, water heater, or any other appliance located in the area.
Ask the plumbing professional for their opinion on the situation and to walk you through where the damage is located and what can be done about it.
Even in the Middle of the Night, We’re Here to Help
Donnelly’s Plumbing Heating and Cooling has been providing exceptional customer service and quality worksmanship to our local communities here in the Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delware counties for over forty years. Whether you’re dealing with low water pressure, need to replace your water heater, need emergency help with a plumbing problem right this second, or you’re looking for advice on new product installation, give us a call! You can reach us by phone at (215) 855-2014 or contact us online at any time to schedule service today!
