Life is unpredictable. You never know when a disaster can cause water to accumulate in your basement. Nature could send torrential rain, you may live near an area that is prone to flooding, or your pipes could break. Regardless of why water could take over your basement, you want to do anything possible to prevent water damage on the bottom floor of your home.
Table of Contents
1. Pay Attention to Your Gutters
Gutters are an important addition to the roofing of any home. If you don’t have gutters, bring in the experts to install them. The main purpose of your gutter system is to collect water when it is running down your roof. Once the gutter has captured the water, it will be directed to your downspouts. From that point, the water should be sent through a channel away from your home
A rain barrel is a decorative and practical addition you can place under your downspout to collect water. Put any water that accumulates to good use in your garden. If you don’t have gutters, the water could make its way through your foundation into your home. Make sure you check your gutters regularly to remove any debris. Otherwise, water could be an unwanted visitor inside your home.
2. Maintain Your Foundation
Your foundation does more than support your home. It is also an essential structure that keeps water out of the interior of your home. Check your foundation periodically to make sure you don’t have any cracks. Fill in any cracked areas. Apply a foundation sealant as an extra measure of protection. You should also grade the landscape around your home. It is ideal for the ground to drop as you move away from your home. You can trust gravity to carry the water away from your house.
3. Invest in a Sump Pump
If you live in an area where it is common for excess water to accumulate in your basement, you can be proactive. Installing a sump pump will remove water from your basement and keep it away from your house. The groundwater tends to rise when heavy snows melt or you have steady rain that lasts over an extended period of time. If you don’t come up with a creative way to deal with excess water around your home, you could face some damage and would need experts in flood damage restoration in Denver or your local area to help. Avoiding damage in the first place could be your most cost-effective alternative.
4. Place Protective Coverings Over Your Basement Windows
Window covers and window well covers offer you different ways that you can keep water from infiltrating the seams around ground-level windows. If you choose a window well cover, you can still let natural light into your basement. Solid window covers will provide you with more privacy. In addition to staving off flooding, you can also keep pests from making their way into your home.
5. Check Your Septic Tank or Your Sewer Drain
Your waste removal system can be your worst enemy if it gets backed up, resulting in flooding in your basement. If you are connected to your local sewer system, your drain still needs to be maintained. It should be cleaned by professionals every one and a half to two years. If you have a private septic system, contact your septic professionals to pump out your system at least every five years. Shortening that time to three-year intervals could give you more peace of mind.
Plan Your Landscaping with Care
The next time you are thinking about landscaping, choose improvements that will help you to avoid flooding. Gravel is a better option for your driveway instead of paving. Not only will it cost less, but you’ll also keep a river of water from flowing around your home. New grass, plants that absorb a great deal of water, and mulch will also help you to capture water instead of allowing too much groundwater to accumulate beneath the surface.
Flooding in your basement doesn’t have to be inevitable even if it has happened to you in the past. Take preventative measures to prepare yourself for a potential disaster. Your foresight can protect your home from water damage in the future.