As you might imagine, a basement flood can be one of the more common property losses that homeowners face - and with more severe storms and heavier rainfall year after year, it's a trend that's likely to continue. Learn what you can do if and when your basement floods.

Before we get into what to do after your basement floods, let's take a look at some of the most common causes of floods:

• Inclement weather: Water has to go somewhere when it rains. And while gutters and land grading can help divert it away from a property's foundation, heavy rainfall and saturated ground can cause it to seep through basement walls or up through the foundation floor. Homes in flood-prone areas or at the bottom of hills are more likely to have flooding issues.
• Drain issues: Weeping tiles that fail or degrade may not adequately collect and divert water.
• Plumbing damage: Busted pipes, sewer line blockages or pipe damage can lead to plumbing leaks.
• Damaged sump pumps: Sump pumps collect groundwater in a sump basin and pump it safely away from the home when levels get too high.
• Gutter and downspout issues: When gutters or downspouts are not installed or set properly, it can lead to water damage issues.

So if your basement were to flood, learn what to do with the following tips:

React Safely

While it may seem natural to want to stop the source of the flood and contain any damage, it's important to think about safety first. For example, you could risk electrocution if you enter a flooded area with electronic appliances. You could also risk illness if you enter water that's been contaminated with sewage.

Contact a Restoration Firm

Whether you're able to stop the source of a flood or not, you don't want to make the cleanup process a DIY job. That's where a professional restoration contractor comes in. A professional will extract excess water from your basement, salvage any contents or belongings that are able to be saved and professionally dry the property to industry standards.

Contact Your Insurance Agent

Unless you have flood insurance, your homeowner's policy is unlikely to cover a flood from a natural disaster. However, you may be subject to coverage for damage caused by a busted pipe, drain issue, or appliance leak. While it's always a good idea to understand your policy and what it covers, getting clarification from your agent after water intrusion and knowing what is covered is essential to recovery.

Prevent it From Happening Again

Lastly, it's important to take the proper steps to ensure that what caused the flood doesn't cause another flood in the future.