Whether you live in an area with frequent drizzles or heavy storms, knowing how to prevent basement flooding before it rains will help you protect yourself, your family, and your property. These small preventative measures will do their part to prevent the disaster that is a sudden flood in the home.
Inspect the Foundation
Throughout the year, make a habit of checking your basement for any cracks in the walls. Some vertical cracks may occur within the first few years of construction in drywall, and you can seal them with caulk to prevent any seepage during a storm. Horizontal cracks of any size are cause for greater concern and should be inspected to ensure that your home’s foundation isn’t under too much pressure. This is also a great time to inspect other aspects of your home, such as support beams and basement windows, for damage, especially if you have a remodel planned for the future.
Keep Gutters Clear
Regularly clearing out your home’s gutters allows them to serve their function and carry water away from the home during a storm. You should clear your gutters at least twice a year—in the spring and the fall—though they may need more frequent cleanings if you have trees close to the building. Ensuring that the downspout is clear and facing away from the home is also vital to preventing blockages. If the water has nowhere to properly drain, it will overflow and ultimately drench the foundation of your home, creating that chance of basement flooding.
Built-In Prevention
There are items you can have in the home that do round-the-clock flood prevention in your basement. Smart water leak detectors placed on or around pipes or areas of concern can continuously monitor for humidity and temperature changes. A sump pump collects water over time and pumps it outside, so as long as it is well-maintained, having one can mean the difference between a dry basement and disaster. Though not specifically made to tackle the effects of rain, built-in preventions systems can help you avoid other causes of home flooding as well.
Doing everything you can to prevent basement flooding before it rains will save you incredible headache and heartache in the future. If you find structural damage in your basement before or after a flood and are looking to do remodeling, take dated photographs of any damage you suspect to be an issue. Then, consider hiring a contractor to ensure that your new basement meets regulations and modern safety standards.