Getting water in your basement can cause a lot of property damage that is expensive to clean up and fix. The best way to keep your home structure in good repair is to take active steps designed to prevent basement flooding from happening in the first place.
Keep reading to learn the 5 best ways to prevent your basement from flooding and avoid this headache!
“Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." – Sam Levenson
Make Sure There Are No Cracks in the Foundation
When cracks and missing pieces begin to occur anywhere on your home's foundation, this sets the entire home at a greater risk for water damage that can destroy anything in its path.
If water is not cleaned up and cleared out in the proper manner or left to sit even for a day or two, mold and mildew growth can cause even more damage. Basement waterproofing methods range from laying down a heavy-duty plastic waterproof sheet in a basement or crawl space area to spraying certain waterproof products to seal out moisture.
Other options involve simply performing regular inspections of your foundation walls and basement areas to look for cracks or holes in the foundation itself. Any foundation cracks should be expertly repaired or filled in with waterproof caulking or other material. As you can imagine, this is a job best left to the experts.
Check Gutters to Ensure No Debris Is Clogging Them
Before beginning any type of basement restoration work, it is wise to check all the home's rain gutters to ensure that no debris is clogging them up. When clogged, gutters are unable to carry away the excess rainfall and melting snow far enough from the home to prevent water damage.
Leaves, tree twigs, dirt and other debris can quickly clog up a drain-spout and/or gutter system allowing all of that water to seep down next to your home's foundation walls.
This water will seep into your basement causing a lot of damage in the process. It is smart to hire a local gutter cleaning specialist to do this work for you if you do not have the time or tools to complete the job in the proper manner.
Check Basement Windows & Install Window Well Covers
Another thing to consider when trying to flood-proof basement structures is the basement windows. These are often placed high on a basement wall to have a way to air out the space should it be necessary.
All too often, these basement windows leak water and collect more water in the well that typically encases these windows. It may be necessary to install top-quality window well covers to help prevent basement floods and water issues.
Consider Installing a Sump Pump if Basement Floods Often
If your basement has a tendency to fill with water, it is usually a good idea to install a proper sump pump. These pumps can rapidly pump out any water that gets inside through foundation or window leaks, after a storm that floods the region or following a nearby water or sewer pipe break or backflow.
Any electrical boxes, laundry appliances and furnace units should be kept higher up where the water is less likely to pool. It can be especially dangerous to try and pump out massive amounts of water when there is the potential for electrical shock. Always ensure that the main breaker box is turned off before attempting any cleanup measures.
Check Sewer Lines, Storm Drains, Downspout Position & Landscaping
Other areas of concern are improperly maintained or placed sewer lines and rain spouts for gutters that are not angled correctly to drain water away from the main foundation walls.
Your property should be assessed to determine if there are low areas where water will pool in your yard that are too close to the house or garage. Some specific ground leveling landscaping can help to keep this from occurring in the future.
Many homes have outside storm drains somewhere on the property. When these storm drains become clogged or broken, massive amounts of water could back right up into your yard and into the lower levels of the home if the water is close to the foundation. These larger storm drains are often difficult and challenging to repair, so it is best to call in water remediation experts to repair, unclog or otherwise deal with these drains.
Basement Waterproofing is Essential
A flooded basement can be extremely dangerous as water conducts electricity. This means that even if the person is standing many yards away from the flood source, simply touching the water can be deadly if there is an electrical current running through the water.
Promptly call for water damage remediation and cleanup specialists who will have the knowledge, experience, tools and equipment to get the job done right without putting others at risk.
Need some help dealing with a flooded basement? Contact a pro and request a free quote!
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