When the Minnesota winter starts to end and signs of spring arrive, everyone gets excited about the arrival of warmer weather. However, this change of seasons also brings the risk of unexpected damage to your property. One form of damage that we see often in the Twin Cities in spring is basement flooding. Spring rain and water from melting snow can make its way into the basement of your home or commercial property.
If your basement is finished, this means that your drywall, flooring, furniture, and other property could be ruined. If the water issues aren’t dealt with quickly, the damage can spread, and mold can even start to grow. In this article, we will explain the most common sources of spring basement flooding, the problems it can cause, and how to get help restoring your property.
Although your basement can experience water damage at any time of year, there are a few leading spring-related causes of basement floods. Read for an explanation of each.
Thawing Spring Temperatures
A spring thaw occurs when temperatures are warm enough for the snow to melt. Compacted snow around your home and on your roof can contain many gallons of water. If it has no channel to drain away from your foundation, large amounts of water can seep into the foundation or cracks in the basement walls.
Rainy Spring Weather
Late spring, in particular, can bring large amounts of rain to the Twin Cities. Heavy rains can cause flooding by oversaturating the ground, which is already wet from melting snow or previous storms.
Improperly Installed Downspouts
Your downspouts are meant to direct water away from your home and foundation. Downspouts should release water at least six feet away from your foundation and drain away from the home. If your downspouts are broken, missing, or clogged, water will pool next to the house, where it can lead to basement flooding.
Clogged Gutters Due To Debris
Like the downspouts, gutters divert water away from your home, helping to keep the basement dry. However, your gutters may become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris. Cleaning your gutters in the fall can prevent problems with water collecting on your roof and near your home in spring.
Water Damage To Basement Finishes
The most obvious form of basement water damage is to the finishes in this area. Carpets can get soaked, and drywall will suck up water, getting swollen and stained. If the flooding is widespread, it is often tough to save any of these materials.
Dangerous Mold Growth
Mold can start growing in as little as 24 hours, so a basement that has been soaked with dirty groundwater needs to be dealt with right away. The longer you wait, the more mold can grow. Large amounts of mold can damage the structure of your property, and it is detrimental to the health of anyone in the building.
Structural Issues With Your Foundation and Walls
If you have a finished basement, it may be harder to notice cracks in your walls and foundation. Water can seep through damaged areas in your foundation walls. If this goes on for too long, it may cause bigger foundation cracks and the walls to cave in. This can happen year-round, but homes are more susceptible in spring when the amount of water in the ground may be excessive.
Rainy days combined with snowmelt can result in high groundwater levels. This excess water can find its way into any crack or opening in your basement foundation, bringing wet, flooded basements.
If you had water issues in your basement last spring, it will probably happen again, so it’s important that you take steps to improve the drainage conditions inside and outside of your home.
It’s also critical that you know who to call if your basement does flood. At Green Clean, we have over 20 years of experience helping Twin Cities residents. We can quickly restore your home or business, stopping water damage right away. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help get life back to normal – anywhere in your home.
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