Basements are a wonderful addition to a home. They’re well insulated, making them easier to heat, cool, and keep quiet. They don’t require exterior siding or painting either. However, they don’t reach their full potential unless you build them out, and that’s something that some people are hesitant to do because basements are known to flood.
Even owners of newer homes can step into their basement after a heavy rain or the melting of snow, only to find water on the floor.
The good news is, there are actions you can take to keep your basement safe from flooding and seepage. Here are a few tips you should do if you’re planning on furnishing your downstairs.
Keep Your Gutters Clean and Pointed Out
The gutters of your home serve a very important function. Even a well-sealed basement is susceptible to flooding if heavy rain isn’t properly redirected. Make sure to inspect your gutters multiple times a year, particularly after the leaves have fallen during autumn and once the snow starts melting after winter.
Also check and make sure they’re draining out and away from your home. If there are leaks around the downspouts, seal them up. If you’re getting flooding or dampness near a particular gutter outlet, try running it further away from your home.
Move Snow Away from Your House
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you probably know someone who has experienced post-winter flooding. All of that melted snow goes straight into the ground, and if you’re not careful, it will go straight into your basement.
For particularly heavy winters, it doesn’t hurt to shovel snow away from your home before it melts.
Check and Repair Your Foundation
If your basement is getting wet, that water has to be getting in somewhere. Most likely, it’s cracks in your foundation. This isn’t always the easiest area to get to, but checking and repairing cracks is critical to keeping your basement safe and dry.
Adding a layer of waterproof coating to your basement walls helps a lot as well. Concrete is naturally porous, leaving space for moisture to sneak in.
Dehumidify
If your basement isn’t flooding, but it always feels a bit damp/moist, a dehumidifier should do the trick. A dehumidifier will leave your basement feeling cozier and smelling better. It also protects against mold. Just make sure you’re regularly emptying it out and cleaning it. Otherwise the dehumidifier itself can get moldy and cause a mess.
Install a Sump Pump
Sometimes, the best precautions and a proper gutter system just aren’t enough to keep water away from your home especially if you live at the base of a hill or downslope. If that’s the case, you may need to have a sump pump system installed.
The sump pump’s job is to pump water out of the pit and away from the basement in order to keep it dry.
What to Do When Flooding Happens
Even if you do everything on this list, it’s possible to experience flooding in your home, either from an external source or a broken pipe inside your home. If that happens, you need emergency repair and clean-up. Flooding leads to mold, and mold can cause further damage to your home and your health.
Don’t risk it. For emergency storm damage and mold remediation in Springfield, Ohio, contact Reliant Restoration today!