There is nothing worse than a flood in the basement. Preventing spring flooding can be tricky, but with a few tips from Bodenheimer Plumbing, you can keep a dry and safe home while avoiding costly repairs.
Install a Sump Pump
If you haven’t already, the first thing to do is install a sump pump in your home or business. Sump pumps are designed to remove excess water that accumulates around the foundation of your house or building. They work by sucking up groundwater and draining it out through an exterior drain tile or other system of pipes.
Maintain Your Sump Pump
If you already have a sump pump installed, make sure you keep it maintained and serviced regularly so that it can protect against floods when they happen! Maintaining your sump pump involves periodic inspections, testing, and cleaning. If you have a battery-operated pump, make sure to keep the batteries charged.
Periodic inspections of your sump pump will help you to determine if it is working correctly, and will also help you identify any potential problems that might need professional assistance.
Testing your sump pump monthly by turning on the circuit breaker or plug for a few minutes can confirm whether or not the system is keeping up with water levels in heavy rainstorms. Doing this on a regular basis can also help you identify any problems with the pump before they become severe.
Maintain Your Gutters
If leaks aren’t the problem, the gutters might be. That’s why it’s so urgent to clean out any debris that you find. In the event of a downpour, you must make sure your gutters are free from debris as well as other areas around the house, such as your eaves or window wells. Blockages such as fallen leaves, broken twigs, and bird nests can clog your water protection systems.
Look For Leaks In the Roof
Have you noticed any problems with your roof? Whether there are missing shingles that have blown away by the wind of a previous storm or your roof has just fallen into neglect and needs replacing, leaks can start in your roof. Cracked skylights present another area of concern. If you’ve been putting off a roof replacement, don’t wait any longer. Flooding damage caused by damaged, missing, and cracked shingles can be costly.
Redirect Water
The best way to prevent flooding from spring downpours is to take the necessary steps before the rain starts falling. If your yard has water pooling, diminish the chance of that happening by redirecting the water. Downsprout extensions and foundation drain tiles are great options here.
Downsprout extensions are used to divert water away from the foundation of your home. Foundation drain tiles, on the other hand, direct excess rainwater and melted snow to a place where it can flow harmlessly into the ground.
Check the Grading
Grading is an important factor when it comes to predicting the likelihood of overflowing and floods. When assessing drainage, you should look at the grading around your house and make sure that it slopes away from the home on all sides. Your goal is to have all water that falls on your house roof and across your entire property to run away from the house.
Inspect Your Foundation
One way to protect your home from water is by repairing any cracks in the foundation. Repairing small damages should only take a few minutes and can be accomplished with a quick concrete patch. For bigger concerns, it’s best to bring in a professional to make sure your foundation is repaired in such a way that it acts as a waterproof barrier between the interior and exterior.
