If your Azle basement floods every time a hard rain rolls through, the cause is almost always the same: more water is arriving at your foundation than the ground and your drainage can handle. We answer water damage calls across Azle and northwest Tarrant County, and flooded lower levels after storms are a regular part of them. This post explains the usual causes, what homeowners can do to lower the odds of a repeat, and what to do if water is in your basement right now.
We are describing common causes in general terms. We have not inspected your house, and we cannot tell you from here which one applies to it.
The short answer: saturated ground pushes water in
When rain soaks the soil around a home, the water has to go somewhere. Once the ground is saturated, water presses against foundation walls and the floor slab and works its way through anything that lets it in: cracks, joints where walls meet the floor, openings around pipes and the edges of window wells. Runoff from the roof and yard can add to the load if it collects near the house instead of moving away.
Common causes
A sump pump that cannot keep up. If your basement has a sump pit, the pump is the first line of defense. A pump that is undersized, clogged or dependent on household power can stop working exactly when a storm knocks the power out. Ready.gov suggests considering a sump pump with a battery as one way to protect property from flooding.
Gutters and downspouts that dump water at the wall. Roofs shed a lot of water in a storm. If gutters are clogged, or downspouts empty right beside the foundation, that water goes straight into the soil next to your basement. Ready.gov lists decluttering drains and gutters among its steps to protect your property.
Ground that slopes toward the house. Soil should fall away from a foundation. Over time, settling, planting beds and added hardscape can reverse the slope and aim runoff at the wall.
Window wells and exterior stairwells. These are low points. If they are not covered or do not drain, they collect rain and can leak through a window frame or door.
Backflow through drains. Ready.gov recommends installing check valves, which are one way to keep water from coming back up through drain connections.
What helps lower the odds
None of these steps guarantees a dry basement, and we do not promise that. They are general measures that follow the guidance Ready.gov gives for protecting property from flooding:
- Keep gutters and drains clear.
- Direct downspouts away from the foundation.
- Check that the ground slopes away from the house.
- Consider a sump pump with a battery backup, and test your pump before storm season.
- Install check valves where appropriate.
- Move valuables to higher levels or off the floor.
Ready.gov also points out that homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding and that flood coverage typically takes up to 30 days to take effect. Our post on Texas home insurance and water damage covers what the Texas Department of Insurance says about that line.
If your basement is flooded right now
- Stay out if water could reach electricity. Keep the power off in the wet area and do not touch electrical equipment while standing in water.
- Do not wade through floodwater if you can avoid it. Ready.gov warns that it can be contaminated and hide dangerous debris.
- Take photos of the water level and the damage before anything is moved.
- Call us. Tell us how deep the water is and what is down there. We will tell you what to do while the crew is on the way.
How we handle a flooded basement
Our team starts with pumps. When the ground outside is saturated, we often pump in stages instead of all at once, because emptying a basement too quickly can put stress on the walls. Once the standing water is out, we extract what is left in carpet and on floors, take out soaked material that cannot be dried and clean up silt on what stays. You can read the full process on our flooded basement cleanup in Azle page, and our water extraction in Azle page explains how we pull water out of carpet, padding and flooring.
After the water is out, a basement still holds humidity. Dehumidifiers and air movers run while we track moisture readings in concrete, framing and any finished walls until they come down. We do not call a basement dry because the floor looks dry.
When to call
Call when you see water, not after the storm has passed and you have tried everything else. If you would rather talk before deciding, contact Water Damage Azle or call. Our line is answered 24/7, including weekends and holidays.
Sources
- Ready.gov, Floods
- Texas Department of Insurance, What insurance do you need for water damage?