Why Do Aurora Basements Flood?

Water From Outside the House

Aurora sits on the high plains east of the Rockies, where the climate is fairly dry most of the year. Yet when water does arrive, it tends to come all at once, from a heavy wet snowstorm in March or April or a summer thunderstorm that dumps hard rain in a short burst.

That water looks for the lowest point, and around a house with a basement, the lowest point is the foundation.

Clay soils common along the Front Range add another layer. They swell when wet and shrink as they dry, and over years that movement can crack poured walls and settle patios or walkways so they slope toward the house.

• Rapid snowmelt soaking soil next to the foundation
• Downspouts that empty right beside the house
• Yards that tilt toward the house rather than draining off
• Window wells that fill and spill through basement windows
• Cracks in poured walls or slabs from shifting clay soil

Water Damage Services That Fit This Question

• Flooded Basement Water Removal

  Pump-out, extraction and drying for basements flooded by storms, snowmelt, plumbing or appliances.

• Sump Pump Failure Water Removal

  Water removal after a sump pump fails, loses power or burns out and the basement takes on water.

• Snowmelt Flooding Water Removal

  Pump-out and drying once thawing snow seeps into a lower level or garage.

Sump Pumps and Foundation Drains

Many newer Front Range homes have a perimeter drain around the foundation that empties into a sump pit. The pump lifts that water out, and when it fails, the pit overflows onto the basement floor.

Sump pumps tend to quit at the worst moment, mid-storm or during a long thaw while inflow peaks. A battery backup and a yearly test, done by pouring a bucket of water into the pit, catch many problems early.

• Power outages during storms that stop the pump
• Stuck or tangled float switches
• Pumps too small for the volume of water entering the pit
• Frozen or clogged discharge pipes
• Old pumps that simply wear out

Water From Inside the House

Not every basement flood starts outside. The basement usually holds the water heater, washer, main shutoff and much of the plumbing, so indoor failures land there too.

Winter is especially hard on plumbing here. Sudden arctic cold can freeze pipes near the rim joist, and the crack frequently stays hidden until thawing lets water loose.

• Water heater tanks that rust through or relief valves that discharge
• Washing machine hoses that burst
• Frozen pipes that split along a rim joist or exterior wall
• Sewage pushing up through a basement toilet or the floor drain
• Leaks from a basement bathroom or wet bar

First Moves When the Basement Floods

Safety first: avoid wading in if any outlet, cord or appliance sits below its surface, and only trip breakers when the panel itself stays dry. Next, halt the flow if possible by closing the main valve or checking the sump pump.

Then call (888) 532-8620. Local extraction crews pump the floor dry, haul out soggy pad, open drywall wherever moisture hides and keep LGR dehumidifiers going until slab and studs test dry, 24/7. Mold can start growing within 24 to 48 hours, so early drying matters.

More Water Damage Questions

• Does Insurance Cover Ice Dam Water Damage in Colorado?
• How Long Does It Take to Dry a Basement?
• How Much Does Water Removal Cost in Aurora?
• What to Do When Pipes Freeze in Aurora