A home’s basement is perhaps most vulnerable to flooding. It can flood due to a number of reasons including malfunctioning water heaters or washing machines, sump pump failure or overflow, and seepage through cracks.
With some effort on your part, you can reduce the likelihood of basement flooding. Simple maintenance work like keeping the gutters clean and fixing cracks in the foundation can help you protect your basement. An effective way to prevent water from taking over your basement is to install a sump pump and keep it maintained.
Below are a few important tips that you should follow to protect your home from basement flooding.
Tips to Prevent Your Basement from Flooding
·Check Your Foundation for Cracks
Check your home’s foundation from the inside and outside for any cracks. If you notice small cracks, use caulk to seal them. If the cracks are extensive, you will need the help of a professional to fix them before they cause damage to your basement.
·Clean the Gutters
Clean the gutters on your roof to ensure that they don’t overflow during a rain storm. The downspouts carry the water away from your home and if they aren’t clear of debris, the water might flow into your home’s basement.
·Check the Grading
If the ground doesn’t slope away from your home, the rainwater may drain near your foundation. It can even flow into your basement, causing significant damage. Therefore, you should re-grade the ground if it doesn’t slope away from your house.
·Install a Sump Pump and Maintain It
If you want to ensure that your basement doesn’t flood, install a sump pump and maintain it. Sump pumps collect excess water and pump it outside before it can cause flooding. It’s essential to keep your sump pump well-maintained and operational, especially during the rainy season. To keep your sump pump maintained, do these things:
- Check the sump pump’s motor. If the motor isn’t running, check if it’s properly plugged in. If the motor doesn’t run despite being plugged in, call a professional to fix it.
- Check the discharge line and make sure that it extends far away from your home so that the water drains away safely from your foundation
- Install a backup generator to power your sump pump. It will come in handy when you lose power during a severe storm.
Final Thoughts
While you can reduce the risk of basement flooding by following these tips, there is no guarantee that you will be able to prevent water from accumulating in your basement at all times. In case of a severe storm and your basement floods causing significant water damage to your home, call STOP Restoration (S.T.O.P.) to have your home or property restored to its clean and dry state as quickly as possible. Our certified technicians have the expertise and tools needed to restore your home back to it’s original condition. S.T.O.P. provides water damage restoration services in the areas of Bucks County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia. Reach out to us at 844/777-STOP for emergency water damage restoration services.
