Avoiding Basement Flooding

While basements are a blessing during the summers because of the cold temperatures down there, maintaining basements is a tough job, requiring vigilance and hard work. The biggest issue that house owners face is the flooding of the basement with water from heavy rains. Before constructing a house you need to find a solution to all the problems, otherwise repair work almost every year will be too much for you to handle.

Approach a professional architect

The first and the most important thing is to get your property map made from a professional architect, who has experience with designing basements. An architect with no history of constructing a basement is likely to experiment with your build and might end up constructing on a flawed design.

Clean the gutters

Apart from heavy rains, it is the gutters which become a major problem for owners of a basement. It is a common observation that when gutters boil, the water goes into the basement, spoiling household items which can cost a lot.

Make it a habit of getting your gutters and downspouts cleaned on a regular basis by clearing them of leaves, dirt and debris. As someone with a basement, you need to know that plugged gutters and leaking downspouts will certainly cause basement flooding. You need to inspect the downspouts for any leaks and if you find any, immediately repair or replace them.

Foundation Leaks

Leakage in the foundations is also one of the major reasons behind basement flooding. Cracks in the foundation let water enter during rains and storms which results in the flooding of the basement in a matter of minutes. It is vital that you give your basement monthly inspection for any cracks and the moment you find some, get them repaired immediately.

The repair work depends on the extent of the damage, while some cracks can be fixed easily, there might be others which require considerable work. However, if left untreated, these cracks will continue to expand and cause more damage in the long run.

Window Leaks

If your basement has windows then there is always a possibility of water coming inside through gaps and rotting wood frames. It is suggested that you use aluminum frames or at least get your windows fixed to avoid the flooding of your basement during storms.

Sump Pump

If you are regularly faced with a basement flooding problem, then it is best to install a sump pump in your basement. However, you have to be vigilant and replace it immediately if and when it stops working.