If you’ve experienced basement flooding, then you know how stressful and expensive it can be. Not only would your basement be a total mess (and hazard), but everything in it would suffer water damage. And to add insult to injury, you also need to have the floodwater pumped out, get your basement dried off, and fixed — the pumping and drying alone can range between $500 and $10,000. As such, you need to take the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening again.
And of course, those who are lucky enough to not endure through such an inconvenient ordeal should also take note of these practical tips so you can keep it that way:
#1 Seal the Cracks
Whether it’s due to poor construction, frequent temperature change, earthquakes, and other factors, cracks can appear in your basement’s walls and foundation where water can seep through even in light to moderate rainfall. So homeowners must keep a lookout for damp patches or ‘paint bubbles’ in your basement wall. As soon as they’re detecting, you need to have them sealed with a masonry sealer or fill them with epoxy. For more extensive cracks or frequent leaking despite sealing all the cracks you’ve detected, it’s best to hire a professional to have the entire basement fixed instead.
#2 Preventive Lawn Grading
Lawn grading is making a slope in your lawn that makes rainwater flow away from your house (and your basement) and prevent it from seeping through the soil and permeate through any cracks in your basement’s foundation. Your slope should facilitate drainage towards the street or gutters to effectively prevent flooding in your property. This is something you can do as a DIY project, although you can always hire a landscaping or lawn specialist to do it for you.
#3 Clean and Maintain Your Gutters and Downspouts
Your home’s gutters and downspouts should always be clear of debris and are properly maintained for them to redirect rainwater efficiently. Likewise, you should always make sure that they’re positioned away from the foundation of your home to avoid basement flooding. If your roof and rain gutter system seem worse for wear, there are roof installation companies in Salt Lake City that also specialize in rain gutters.
#4 Install Automatic Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are one of the best tools you can have to prevent basement flooding. It’s a pump that redirects water from your basement and the foundation and to a nearby drain or sewer system. This is very useful, especially if you live in a flood-prone area. Likewise, you need to have your sump pumps maintained regularly, and it’s also recommended to install a backup pump just in case the first one goes out during heavy rain or a flash flood.
#5 Guard Your Windows
Even with excellent foundation construction and having sump pumps installed, water can still get into your basement through basement windows. Basement windows are generally installed to allow light into your basement and also to facilitate ventilation, so instead of sealing it off to prevent basement flooding; you can use well covers (or window wells). These still allow light to permeate through your basement while keeping out floodwater (as well as debris and even critters).
Conclusion
Keeping your basement dry and flood-proof can be quite challenging, especially for areas that regularly experience heavy rain and flash floods. But by following these practical tips, you can quickly lower the risk of having a flooded basement and avoid dealing with the frustrating and expensive aftermath.