Basement Plumbing Problems Cause Flooding

Faulty basement plumbing can lead to flooding, which is a serious and costly problem to deal with. Flooding can even reduce the resale value of your Orange County home. While there are a number of possible reasons why a basement might flood, the vast majority can be attributed to preventable basement plumbing issues. Excess moisture, cracks in the wall, and rainy weather can play a part, but you can avoid the expense and headache of a flooded basement through proper upkeep and maintenance of your plumbing.

Sources of Basement Plumbing Problems

Sump Pump Failure

From our experience here at Barker & Sons Plumbing, most basement floods are caused by a failure of the sump pump. A sump pump is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawl space, and its job is to help keep the area under the building dry and prevent it from flooding. Over time, debris and detritus can accumulate around the screen or opening of the sump pump, causing it to become clogged. In many cases, you can reduce this buildup by pouring white vinegar through the pump.

Most sump pump manufacturers suggest running and testing your unit every two to three months.

Water Heater Failure

A review of homeowners’ insurance claims resulting from water heater failures from multiple insurance companies around the country revealed some interesting points:

  • Water heater failures are one of the top five sources of residential water losses
  • Almost 70 percent of all water heater failures result from a slow leak or a sudden burst
  • Water heater failures cost an average of $4,444 per incident after the deductible was paid

Check out our recent blog post that addresses how to tackle the most common water heater problems. The following signs indicate that your appliance is on the verge of malfunctioning:

  • The unit is not producing hot water
  • The unit makes popping noises
  • The unit produces rust colored water
  • The unit produces water that has a rotten egg odor
  • The unit is leaking

If your water heater exhibits any of these issues, call us or contact us online so we can inspect your unit and address the problem.

Other Basement Plumbing Problems

While sump pump and water heater failures are the most common basement plumbing problems, other issues may cause flooding as well. Washing machine hoses tend to be out of sight and out of mind for most homeowners. However, they can either become clogged or rupture over time, which is a serious plumbing problem.

Basement flooding can also be caused by a stopped up basement sink or toilet, or a clogged sewer line. This requires immediate sewer cleaning.

Barker & Sons Plumbing has been serving Anaheim, Irvine, Fullerton, Newport Beach, and the entire Orange County, CA area for 28 years. Our team of professionals can handle any type of basement plumbing problem.

Call us 24/7 at no obligation: (714) 630-8766.