How to Prevent Basement Flooding: What to Do and Helpful Tips for You

For any homeowner, basement flooding is a nightmare. Getting rid of the excess water requires labor and equipment, and the flood can cause irreparable damage to the walls and foundation of your home.

There are many reasons why a basement might flood, including seasonal showers, plumbing problems, or melting snow. Sometimes, structural issues are to blame. No matter the cause, water damage can be costly to fix, especially when it affects the basement. Keep reading to get essential steps for battling basement floods, brought to you by our pros at IDC Repair and Restoration.

Step 1 – Keep Your Sump Pump Maintained

A sump pump failure is one of the most common reasons as to why a basement might flood. For those who are unsure, this is a pump that removes built-up water in a sump basin. Having one in your home is already one mechanism for preventing basement floods.

However, merely having a sump pump is not always enough. It’s crucial to check that it is in good shape. Especially so if you know a storm is on its way, you want to prepare for any other obstacles.

Step 2 – Invest in a Generator

You also may want a generator for your sump pump. A generator will help if you live in an area often affected by power outages and rainstorms. A generator acts as an efficient power source and a long-term investment. This unit comes in handy if your sump pump fails or you lose power unexpectedly, as the pump can only work with power.

Step 3 – Get Savvy with the Sewer System

By getting savvy with your sewer systems, we mean to get them inspected and keeping clued up on how to identify a problem. If you can’t remember when you last had a sewer inspection, it’s probably time you booked one. This inspection should also include getting your septic tank cleared, too.

Sewers can clog up, causing overflows and foul smells, which no one wants in their home! The only objects you should be flushing down your toilets are human waste and a modest amount of toilet paper. Anything else can be detrimental to the entire sewage system in your home and further.

An aging sewer system can also be a reason as to why a sewer backup might happen. This blockage will result in water coming into your home and, most likely, basement floods. Outdated sewer lines also may cause problems with your house’s water pressure.

Step 4 – Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clean

Another way to ensure you keep your basement dry is to maintain your home’s gutters and downspouts. This maintenance won’t just stop your basement flooding but also should prevent water damage problems in the rest of your home, too.

Clean the gutters regularly, especially during fall, keeping them clear of debris such as leaves and general gunk. Having your gutters and drainage systems debris-free will aid the flow of water from your home and rainwater in the right direction.

You will also want to make sure your downspout directs water at least three feet away from your house – and basement windows – to your floor drain. You can consider troughs or running extensions for your downspouts to allow for this.

Step 5 – Watch Out for Foundation Cracks

A small crack in your foundation walls can be all it takes to flood your entire basement floor. Check your basement walls and the exterior of your house for any cracks. Inspect it regularly, too. Should you find any nasty cracks – big or small – have some epoxy at hand to seal them.

If you find a crack that is too big for you to deal with alone or a large number of cracks, call a professional. They will help to seal the cracks properly. Having a professional seal foundation cracks up properly will minimize any risk of basement floods.

Step 6 – Look at the Landscape

While this might be a slightly harder one to fix, it could be the landscaping of your house and yard that’s causing basement flooding. You can have a fantastic drainage system in place, but it’s no good if the slope in your yard is pouring it straight into the basement.

The design of the area outside your house may mean a lot of surface water can gather around the edge, leading to it not draining properly. On days of heavy rainfall, this slope could cause the water to seep into your house, resulting in basement floods.

The issue is not just structural design, but materials, too. Some ground materials absorb water better than others. There’s a chance that outside, the material isn’t quite what it should be to stop excessive water and basement floods.

Step 7 – Know Your Insurance

This step won’t necessarily prevent your basement flooding. However, it will be of great importance if it does.

Have a look through your property insurance policy and see if you have any flood insurance. If not, it might be worth getting some additional coverage.

Homeowner’s insurance can often leave you at risk with basement floods as most policies don’t usually cover sewer backups or flooding. Make sure to do your research!

Other Tips That You Should Know

Get Window Well Covers

To keep your basement dry, you must protect the windows! Window well covers will waterproof the windows and stop your basement flooding.

Check Valves

During your sewer inspection, you may also want to ask the inspector about checking your valves. These are essential in helping prevent backflow.

Acquire Drain Plugs

These can prevent basement floods through the flood drain. They are usually a screw-in or rubber stopper one-way plug that acts as a temporary measure that deals with potential sewer malfunctions.

Waterproof Your Foundations

This tip can be a pricey procedure but will provide a layer of protection against water and moisture.

Conclusion

If you’ve been dealing with basement water problems, it’s time to take measures to stop them. Never be afraid to ask for professional help when it comes to your home.

Following these steps should eradicate your basement floods for good! And when you need help, call our experts at IDC Repair and Restoration!

How to Prevent Basement Flooding: What to Do and Helpful Tips for You

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