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How to Prevent Basement Flooding

May 19, 2017 4:55:00 PM

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According to Water Damage Defense, 98 percent of all home basements will experience some sort of flooding or water damage over the course of their lifetimes. Think about that for a moment - just about every single existing home with a basement will, at some point, experience either a flood or some type of water damage. What's more is that when it comes to water intrusion, materials and contents damage aren't the only things that you should be worrying about - there's also the threat of subsequent mold growth.

Noting this, it makes sense to be as proactive as you can possibly be when it comes to preventing a flooded basement. There are various ways to achieve this, some of which are so simple that there's really no excuse not to do them. Here's a look:

Analyze the Exterior of Your Home

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Many basement water intrusion issues can be resolved by simply taking note of any exterior factors that might be encouraging flooding. According to House Logic, these solutions can be as simple as adjusting soil grading so that it slopes away from the home foundation or adding gutter extensions to downspouts to more safely divert water runoff around the property.

There are many other things you should take note of. For instance, the next time rains, grab an umbrella and go take a look at your gutters. Are there any leaks or areas where water is pooling over the side? Are they doing their job of capturing and diverting water runoff from the roof? If they're not, grab a ladder and see if they need to be cleaned out so that they can facilitate proper water diversion. If they're still problematic, then gutter repair or replacement may be necessary. Gutters play an important role in ensuring safe water diversion. If they're not working like they should be, it's likely that water will pool near foundation walls, making it increasingly likely that it will eventually seep into the basement.

Installing French drains to help direct water out toward the street and away from the foundation is another measure that homeowners can take to minimize the buildup of water around their property.

Analyze the Basement Interior

Though the exterior of the home goes a long way in determining whether water enters the basement when it rains, the interior of the basement should not be ignored either. The reasoning is two-fold: For starters, rain water may not be the only source of basement flooding and/or water damage - there's also leaky pipes, damaged appliances and sewage backups that may cause basement trouble. Yes, just because you've taken the proper preventative measures from the outside of the home doesn't always ensure it's a 100 percent fix.

For example, if there are cracks are holes in the basement foundation walls that water is seeping in through, they'll need to be filled. This can be done on your own using hydraulic cement, however in more extreme cases and for a more permanent solution a professional should be contacted to make adequate repairs. A sump pump is another interior solution that can work to keep your basement dry. Sump pumps work by collecting water as it pools up in a pit, which is usually located underneath the basement floor. When the water level reaches a certain point, the pump activates and disperses the water from the pit via drainage pipes to a safe spot outside of the home.

Basement Waterproofing Tips

As we mentioned in the section above, rain water isn't the only potential cause of water damage. Here are some tips and suggestions for eliminating non-rain water from damaging your basement:

  • Regularly inspect your home's pipes to ensure they're not leaking and consider outfitting them with pipe insulator during cold periods to minimize the risk of pipe freezing and bursting.
  • Regularly inspect and repair (as necessary) appliances that use water, such as washing machines and hot water tanks.
  • Because basements and crawl spaces are naturally humid, purchase and use a dehumidifier when humidity levels reach high levels in the basement to minimize the threat of condensation and mold and mildew growth.

The Bottom Line

Basements are a problematic area of the home for a variety of reasons, and there's no guarantee that even if you enact all the tips and suggestions listed above that you'll never experience flooding or water damage. However, being proactive and taking the necessary preventative measures can go a long way toward your home not becoming another statistic. For more information, contact us today.

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