Preventing Basement Flooding During a Storm

Your Basement flooding is the very last thing you want to happen to your home, however, it still happens to plenty of people every year. A storm comes and water enters the basement leaving weeks of cleaning, and many ruined items. What’s more, flooding weakens the foundation, which could prove to be very expensive to repair. It’s better to take steps to ensure your basement won’t be in danger of flooding in the event of a storm. Prevention is much better than repair when it comes to basement flooding.

Cleaning Gutters

Clean your gutters and downspouts on a regular basis to clear them of leaves, dirt, and debris. Plugged gutters and leaking downspouts allow water to enter your basement, ultimately causing a flood. They should be cleaned on an annual basis and the downspouts should be inspected for any leaks. If you find any, either repair them or replace the downspout.

Foundation Leaks

The most common causes of basement leaks are cracks in the foundation that let water enter during a storm. Inspect your basement and repair any cracks. In most instances, they will be wider at the top than at the bottom.

The type of repairs involved depends on the type of crack and its severity. Some cracks can be easily repaired from within just by using caulk. Others will require a lot more work in order to waterproof your basement.

Window Leaks

If you have windows in your basement, it’s possible that the wood frames might have rotted. That can allow water to leak inside and contribute to basement flooding. You should consider replacing old basement windows with something newer, preferably aluminum or vinyl, which will wear better and be more effective against water.

French Drains

If the drainage system around your house isn’t very good, you could easily end up with water in the basement during a storm. In this instance, you’ll need to add drainage around the building. French drains conduct water away from the building. Dig from the foundation to a depth of about 1-foot, then place a broken tile or ceramic pipe at the bottom of your trench before filling the ditch.

Lot Drainage

If the drainage on your entire lot is poor, you’ll need to take steps to improve it in order to avoid basement flooding. You’ll need professional, although you might be able to undertake a large proportion of the work yourself.

Blocked Sewer

If there have been problems between the connection between your house and the main sewer pipe in the street, that could cause a back-up which will result in basement flooding during a storm. If the responsibility for clearing the pipe is yours, hire a contractor to clean the pipe. If the responsibility lies with the city, contact the appropriate department so that they can clear it.

Sump Pump

If basement flooding has been a regular problem, you should consider installing a sump pump in your basement. Check it and test it regularly if you have one and replace it immediately if it stops working.