The same April showers that bring May flowers can cause major damage to your home. A flooded basement destroys drywall, flooring, furniture, and items you have stored in the space.
If you’ve experienced basement flooding before, taking steps now to prevent future damage is a smart move. But even if you’ve never had water in your basement, it’s a good idea to make a few changes to ensure it never happens to you.
Proactive flood prevention can take place inside and outside your home since water can find its way inside through many different paths.
Check out these ways to prevent flooding in your basement.
Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause major problems below. The purpose of your gutters and downspouts is to move water away from your home. If the water can’t flow through freely, it can spill over and soak into the ground near your foundation.
Get your gutters cleaned out regularly. How often depends on your surroundings.
If you’re surrounded by trees, clean the gutters three or four times yearly. For areas without much vegetation, cleaning gutters may only need to happen once or twice per year.
Another simple step is to make sure your downspouts actually point the water away from the home. If it doesn’t flow away from your home well, consider extending the downspout so the water doesn’t pool near the foundation.
Maintain Your Sump Pump (Or Install One)
A sump pump sits in a chamber in the basement floor to collect groundwater. It kicks on when needed to keep the water from entering your basement.
Because it relies on a motor, your sump pump can stop working. When it gets rainy, head to the basement to make sure the sump pump is running if necessary.
It’s also important to keep the sump pump free of debris. Check occasionally to make sure nothing’s inside to keep it from working correctly.
A battery backup for your sump pump is also a good idea. That way the pump still has a source of power if the electricity goes out during a storm.
If your home has a basement but you don’t have a sump pump, consider having one installed. You can also use a portable sump pump at the lowest spot in your basement for temporary use.
Keep Basement Drains Clear
It’s not always rainwater that makes its way into your basement. If your basement drains are clogged or there’s an issue in the sewer line, water and sewage can back up into your basement.
Check your basement drains periodically to make sure they’re flowing well. If they’re blocked, remove the debris or items that are blocking them.
It’s also a good idea to have your sewer lines checked occasionally. Tree roots can damage or block the lines leading to your home, which can lead to serious issues. A plumber can snake the drain lines to get rid of any clogs.
During the rainy season, the excess water in the ground can make it difficult for the drainage system to keep up. That can force water back into your home.
If you have issues with your basement drains, consider having a backflow preventer installed. The valve closes when water starts to flow back into the drain.
Inspect Your Foundation
Keep an eye on your foundation to spot problems early. Foundation cracks provide the perfect entry method for water to seep into your basement. If you repair them before they become too large, you can keep your basement dry without the need for extensive repairs.
Epoxy can offer a temporary fix for cracks, but professional solutions are often necessary for long-term leak prevention. Our foundation crack repair process uses hydraulic cement and heavy-duty Armored vinyl to fix the issues.
Waterproof Your Basement
Basement waterproofing aims to keep water out of your basement, but there are different methods of waterproofing to consider. We offer several options, including our Armored Basement Waterproofing System, window drains, stairwell drains, and reinforced wall liner.
During the rainy season, higher groundwater levels put pressure on your home’s foundation. Eventually, it can find a way into your home.
Our Armored Basement Waterproofing System is a pressure relief system that takes that fact into account. A subfloor channel moves the groundwater to your sump pump to keep it from flooding the basement.
The optional reinforce wall liner gives you extra protection against water seepage. Any water that comes in through the walls gets pushed down into the drainage system.
The wall liner is a great option if you plan to finish the basement. It protects your finished walls, including the insulation and drywall, from water damage.
Use Window Well Covers
Basement windows give you natural light in your lowest level, but they also give water an entry point. If water pools in your window wells, there’s a good chance it’ll eventually enter through the window.
Window well covers direct rain away from the window and window wells. You can get clear acrylic covers so you don’t sacrifice the natural light in your basement.
Window well covers also keep other things out, including leaves, debris, and pests. It’s a simple way to keep your window wells clear and prevent flooding in your basement.
If you don’t like the idea of covering your window wells, our window drains are an option. If your window well suddenly fills with water, the drain gets rid of that water and directs it into your Armored Basement Waterproofing System.
Change the Grade
The grade of your property affects how well the water can run away from your home. If the ground slopes toward your foundation, the water runs that way and pools up near your foundation every time it rains. The water can eventually seep into your home.
If you have grading issues, consider hiring a pro to fix the slope. It can be a big job to change the slope of your ground, especially if it’s a widespread problem across your entire property.
Avoid a Flooded Basement
A flooded basement causes big headaches and major damage. Taking steps to prevent flooding keeps you dry and protects your belongings.
Are you ready for a little extra protection in your basement? Our basement waterproofing services can prevent water in your home.
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