According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), all areas in the United States are susceptible to flooding. And whether or not flooded basements are common where you live, it’s good to have the right preventive measures in place.
Many areas of the country have seen extreme rains and flooding recently. Sometimes it’s impossible to keep water out of your basement, like the floodwater experienced in the Carolinas from Hurricane Florence. However, in most situations, there are things you can do to keep water out. Here are some obvious and not-so-obvious things you can do to prevent basement flooding.
1. Install a Sump Pump
Although a running sump pump means that water is already in your basement, keeping it to a minimum can cut down on damage. A sump pump is powered by electricity, so if you know your basement is flood-prone, consider installing a back-up system that is battery-operated.
2. Install a Backwater Valve
Few cleanups are costlier than cleaning up sewage. A backwater valve closes off the drain to the municipal sewer lines. The key is that it is installed in a place that prevents the sewage from coming in through any other drain in your home, like toilets or sinks.
3. Seal Your Basement
This is a very logical step, but one many homeowners fail to keep up with year after year. Sealing openings to your basement means keeping weatherstripping around doors in good condition and making sure windows are caulked. Of course, if it’s the basement walls that seep water, you might want to contact a basement waterproofing company.
4. Properly Grade Around the Foundation
Over time, soil settles. Changes to landscaping can adversely affect the soil grading around your home. When the grading isn’t set to move water away from your foundation, you end up with water in your basement or crawl space. This is easy to fix with the help of a landscaping company.
The same goes for patios and driveways, which are easy to test. Simply pour a bucket of water slowly onto the surface and see which way the water runs. If it goes into your home, you may want to work with a concrete lifting company to fix the grading.
5. Install a French Drain
If your home is properly graded but you still end up with water in the basement, consider a French drain. You may need zoning approval for this change but it may make a big difference to your property. Installing a French drain can be complex, so you will likely need to enlist the help of a landscaping company.
6. Check Your Landscaping
Although plants absorb water from the soil, they can also cause water intrusion in your basement. If they’re too close to the foundation, roots may penetrate, resulting in cracks or bowing walls which allow water in. Overgrown shrubs may also restrict once-proper drainage and allow water to pool too close to your home.
7. Use Downspout Extensions
These inexpensive additions to your gutter system could end up saving you thousands in water damage. If you notice water pooling at the end of your downspouts, add extensions to move the water away from your foundation to a place it can safely drain.
8. Keep Your Gutters Clean
There are two ways to do this: regular hand-cleaning or installing roof gutter covers. Some reviews of the best gutter covers point out that basement flooding problems are solved with roof gutter covers.
If you want gutter covers from a company with the best gutter covers reviews, you want Gutter Helmet®. Call (800) 824-3772 to be connected to your local Gutter Helmet dealer. You can also fill out our contact form and we’ll have the local gutter guard installer call you.
