While basement flooding is always feasible, the circumstances for it to happen are generally more favorable in springtime. The spring rain, the thawing of snow, and melting soils increase the chance of water sipping into your basement and causing damage.
Any opening in the wall of your foundation or your slab could allow groundwater to seep in, as water always takes the path of least resistance. There’s also the possibility that it’s entering the room through the cove joint on the floor. Also, cracks in windows, storm doors in cellars, wells, or concrete steps all give water entry points.
Basement Flood Prevention
A flooded basement can pose severe dangers to your family’s health and your home’s integrity. The most effective way to ensure that your basement stays dry all year round is to stop or correct the most prevalent water leaks. Additionally, landscaping and upkeep could be helpful. Take these steps to avoid basement flooding.
1. Use Landscaping Techniques
If your yard slopes inward toward your house, it is best to get it level. Rather than leveling the entire yard, you could employ landscaping to make features like swales and drainage ditches, reducing or diverting water flow away from your house. Your foundation could be shielded from water damage by placing gardens in your yard.
Soil erosion is a significant contributor to flooding and water runoff. However, it can be reduced by planting plants indigenous to your area and improving the drainage of the area. Mulch is best laid out in layers of a few inches to the flower beds and around bushes to ensure that soil stays in place and takes up water that is not absorbed.
You can also check websites of companies online and read about the services on their page for water problem remediation.
2. Check and Repair Gutters and Downspouts
The gutters on a home are an initial barrier between your building and rain. They need routine upkeep and repair to continue serving their original purpose.
Water should be able to flow freely away from your home’s foundation, so clear out any leaves or other debris that could act as a sponge or obstruct your downspouts. An easy diverter or extender could be installed at little to no cost to stop water from getting near your home’s foundation.
3. Install a Sump Pump
Sump pumps are put within homes by a company offering water mitigation in Garden City to catch excess water and drain it from the area. If you reside in a flood-prone area, installing the sump pump (or using a portable model) is an intelligent safety step. Check it regularly by filling it with water until it turns on to ensure proper operation.
4. Repair Foundation Cracks
The water can enter your basement through cracks in the foundation. Check the foundation as well as the wall of the basement in your house for any cracks. These are normal because of cold temperatures and the building’s settlement. In most cases, you can patch up tiny cracks on your own. But, it’s best to consult an expert in flood cleanup in Westland when it comes to larger cracks.
5. Maintain Pipes and Septic System
It is a quick way to leak water into the basement. This is not necessarily the result of some external factor. Therefore, inspecting and repairing your home’s plumbing system is essential.
We often need to remember when the septic tank was last drained out and cleaned. Water from sources like dishwashers, sinks, tubs, washing machines, and toilets is eventually routed there. And when you add the raging rain that floods the ground around your property, including the septic tank. You’ve got something that is about to go wrong. Regularly scheduled springtime septic tank cleanings are essential to ensure it is in good shape.
