What’s The Worst Cause of a Leaking Basement Floor?

There are many causes behind leaking basement floors, so it may be overwhelming. To cut right to the heart of the issue, you should prioritize checking for the most dangerous causes first. 

Top Priority 

Walls and floors that bulge inward are indicative of hydrostatic pressure. If this builds up enough, they can collapse and flood your home within minutes. Similarly, if you find your basement floor to be sinking or near collapsing, this may be due to the clay bowl effect. Given enough time, your floor, as well as your home above, may collapse inward. If you notice these problem signs, you should reach out to a professional right away. 

Faulty sump pumps and leaky pipes can burst, leading to intense leakage—possibly even flooding if you are not watching out for it. Sump pumps and pipes carry a lot of water, so if they were to break or leak, you would have major water issues on hand. Be sure to check over these spots in your basement first, so you know if making a phone call now or in another day or two is the best choice. 

Lower Priority 

Of course, a leaking basement floor should never be ignored. If you have other pressing responsibilities, however, there are a couple of factors that can sit a bit lower on your priority list. These factors are footing drains and small cracks. As long as the leak is not active, filling your basement with water, you can afford to wait a day or two until your busy schedule will allow you to book an inspection with a local expert. 

Compared to other appliances, your footing drain does not carry as much water as sump pumps or pipes. They can certainly flood your basement slightly, but this is an extreme situation. Cracks in your basement floor also allow for only a small amount of water to pass through. The longer these problems continue, though, the greater the damage will be. You don’t have to panic right away, but you should seek out a fix in the very near future.