A flooded basement is considered one of the biggest yet terrifying problems for homeowners. It can become a cause of multiple health hazards and damages. These hazards persist even after the water has been dried out of the basement. Basement flooding can occur due to various reasons such as poor construction, wear and tear, and excessively bad weather conditions to mention a few.
Wet basements are prone to basement mold. Heavy rain or snow melting can cause dampness in the basement which may result in the development of mold or mildew, bad odor, and structural instability. The basement is the foundation of the house so it must be protected with waterproofing services to avoid expensive repairs or nightmares. Here are a few tips to help prevent water in the basement.
1. Repair Foundation Cracks
Water can easily get inside the house through cracks present in the foundation walls and may flood your basement. The best DIY treatment to deal with such a situation is to use waterproof paint or fill the cracks using a sealant. However, it serves as a temporary waterproofing method that provides relief for a short period. These temporary items only assist with small amounts of water for a short period. In case you wish to find a solution against huge amounts of water then seek the assistance of a local foundation repair specialist.
2. Clean Gutters
In case your house doesn’t have a gutter or a functional gutter then install good quality gutters as they push rainwater away from the house. Clean gutters having proper downspouts are the best option to keep the house foundation safe and secure by keeping the water away from the edge of the home’s foundation. In case your house has a gutter then make sure to regularly clean them and remove dead leaves, debris, and branches. You can also install gutter protection to prevent the debris from accumulating inside the gutter and clogging it.
3. Repair Leaking Windows
Sometimes basement windows which are a major source of light in such a dark area can become a cause of basement leaks. When you catch these leaks, getting them repaired at the earliest or replacing windows can also fix the problem. But leaving such issues to fester will only cause additional damage leading to foundational problems.
4. Install a Sump Pump
Having a sump pump installed will serve your house well in the long run by avoiding flooding problems. It works by pumping the water from the inside of the basement to the outside of the house or away from your house. In case you already have it installed in the basement then pay attention to its regular maintenance to avoid blockages. You can check its functionality by pouring water into the sump pit.
Moreover, when the pump automatically starts, your sump pump is working. Most of the homeowners have a backup of sump up installed as a safety measure. This will allow the pump to operate even during power outages or bad weather conditions such as heavy rainfall when the primary pump cannot keep up.
