Your basement can be invaluable — you can use it as an extra living space, a TV lounge, or a laundry area. You can even rent it out and diversify your income streams. However, some basements can be prone to issues like flooding.
A flooded basement can be expensive to repair, result in liability issues, damage your belongings, and spike your insurance rates. That’s why it’s critical to get basement waterproofing services from a company specializing in protecting homeowners from wet basements.
Here are some red flags you should watch out for as a homeowner with a basement:
1. Poor Heating
If you live in a city where below-freezing temperatures are typical during the winter, then ensure that your basement is sufficiently heated during the cold season, or it could be at risk for flooding. When your basement is not heated enough, the water in your basement pipes can freeze, resulting in the expansion of your pipes until the temperature returns to normal. These freeze-thaw cycles can eventually break the lines, resulting in a costly flood.
To protect your basement from such concerns, drain basement pipes and close them before the winter. Alternatively, make sure that your basement is adequately heated.
2. Pooling Water
Water pooling against or near your home’s foundation is a frequent source of flooding. Pooling water can also do costly damage to the foundation. To prevent pooling water, you need to take multiple precautions:
- Ensure that all outdoor faucets are closed
- Keep your gutters clean to stop them from overflowing during a thunderstorm
- Fix any holes or pits on your property
- Redirect or extend the downspouts so that they don’t pour water on your foundation
- Drain pooling water quickly before it seeps into your basement
3. Unclean Catch Basins
If your home has a reverse-sloping driveway, it’s essential for you to regularly clean the catch basins at the driveway base and make sure that they’re working correctly. During a rainstorm, clogged catch basins can overload quickly and force water to flood into the basement.
While you can clean the catch basin yourself by lifting the grate and using a shovel to remove the debris, it’s better to hire a contractor as the grill can be heavy, and the work requires training. You may need to add a backwater valve if your catch basin continues to overflow.
4. Incorrect Sloping
The ground near your house must slope away from your home and not towards it, or your basement will flood. If it slopes downward, then a professional can help remedy the issue. Correcting the sloping will also protect your driveway, paths and deck.
5. Cracks
You should fix cracks as soon as possible, whether they’re in your driveway, paths, yard, foundation, or basement walls. Cracks in the driveway, paths, and yard can cause water to pool during a rainstorm, resulting in a flood. Meanwhile, water can leak directly into your basement through holes in the foundation or basement walls.
It’s essential to act fast if your basement is at risk for flooding. With the right professional help, you can protect your property and save yourself some stress.
