What Causes Basement Flooding During the Winter?

Many people associate residential floods with heavy rain, but basement flooding during the winter is very common as well. Numerous factors can contribute to this issue, which can be especially troublesome for homeowners due to the ice, snow and cold temperatures outdoors.

It’s important to contact an emergency cleanup company if your basement floods in the winter because the source of the problem can be a challenge to resolve and the work may be dangerous due to the weather. You also could damage pipes, your yard and other areas of your home if you do not follow proper processes to identify the issue, clean up the flooding and repair the problem.

Following are six common causes of basement flooding during the winter and how to help prevent them from happening:

1. Melting Snow and Ice‍

When temperatures rise and drop suddenly, snow and ice can melt quickly and then freeze back up before you know it. When water infiltrates the soil around a foundation and then freezes, it expands, putting pressure on the foundation walls. This repeated freeze-thaw cycle can cause cracks to form in the walls, which can weaken the overall structure and allow water to seep into the basement.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Winterize your home every fall. These steps should include identifying any areas where water and ice can collect around your home and contribute to leaks into your basement. If there are any areas that will contribute to general moisture buildup, be sure to address them in advance as well.

Identify and repair any foundation cracks as soon as possible, preferably before the winter weather hits and also in the spring after the freeze-thaw cycle has possibly caused damage.

2. Frozen or Blocked Drainage Systems

Clogged or frozen gutters and downspouts are leading culprits of basement flooding during the winter. When gutters are clogged with ice, water cannot drain out and away from the house, causing it to collect near the foundation and create a potential for leaks into the home.

Similarly, if sump pump discharge pipes freeze, the pump cannot effectively remove water, leading to basement flooding.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Keep gutters and downspouts clear by removing leaves and other debris, and direct water away from your home. Make sure your sump pump has a backup system, and use a de-icing cable to prevent sump pump discharge lines from freezing. You should also insulate sump pump pipes with heat tape or foam pipe insulation.

‍3. Poor Grading and Landscaping

If the ground around your home slopes toward the foundation, melting snow and ice will naturally flow toward the basement, increasing the risk of flooding.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Ensure the grading around your house slopes away from the foundation. Removing and reinstalling pavers can help.

4. Plumbing Issues

Pipes that freeze and burst can flood basements, and cold weather increases the likelihood of sewer line blockages, leading to backups into the basement.

Signs that your pipes are blocked or frozen include leaks, frost on the pipes, gurgling or banging sounds coming from the pipes, an unpleasant odor from the pipes and weak water pressure or no water.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Contact a professional plumber to inspect your home and repair any issues before the winter weather hits. If you notice significant pipe leaks, pipe cracks or pooling of water in or around your home, safely turn off the water and then contact a local flood cleanup company for emergency restoration.

5. Leaky Basement Windows or Doors

Improperly sealed or poorly insulated basement windows and doors can allow water from melting snow or rain to enter the home.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Insulate and seal basement windows and doors during your winterization process using caulk or weatherstripping. For successful caulk application, plan to complete the work on a day where you do not expect rain, snow or other precipitation, and the outdoor temperature should be above 45 degrees.

6. Groundwater Seepage

Rising groundwater levels during thaws can penetrate basements, especially if the foundation isn't well-sealed or if there is no proper drainage system.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips: Waterproof your property, including filling any cracks. Additional steps you can take include covering your basement walls with a polyethylene sheet, installing a drain tile system and adding extensions to your gutters.

If you do experience basement flooding this winter and need assistance clearing out the water, our flood cleanup specialists are available to help. Send us a message through our website, or call our 24-hour emergency hotline at 800-536-4056.