How to Prevent a Basement from Flooding

How often does your home flood? It’s probably a pretty infrequent occurrence. With your basement, though, it’s a much different story. In fact, about 60 percent of homes in the United States have below-ground wetness, so basements are vulnerable to flooding just because of their position in the home. A malfunctioning water heater or washing machine, leaky pipe, sump pump failure, or even seepage through cracks in the foundation can all result in flooding to the lowest point of your home. What can you do to keep your basement from flooding? Be proactive and follow these steps.

• Watch for cracks. Cracks in your foundation, whether visible inside or outside the house, can allow water to seep into your basement. If you see small cracks, seal them with caulk. While you’re at it, use caulk and weather stripping to seal around the doors and windows. If the cracks are too extensive to be handled with simple caulking, call for professional help.
• Mind the gutters. Gutters that are clogged can overflow during a rainstorm and downspouts that are full of debris can point water directly into the basement. Keep your gutters clear of debris, and consider using gutter covers to facilitate this. Use downspout extensions to carry water far away from your home’s foundation.
• Keep your landscaping basement-friendly. The grading of your yard must slope away from the house to keep water away from the foundation and out of the basement. Further, plants that are too close to the foundation can penetrate it with their roots, causing cracks and bowing walls. Be mindful of these factors when you’re landscaping.
• Use tools available to you. A French drain can help keep water from your landscaping out of your basement and a backwater valve can prevent intrusion from municipal sewer lines. Talk to your local basement services company about how these additions can benefit you.
• Maintain your sump pump. A sump pump can be immensely helpful in the event of a flood, collecting the excess water and carrying it outside before it can flood your basement. Keep it running smoothly by regularly checking the motor to make sure it’s working, checking the discharge line to make sure it extends far enough away from the house, and installing a backup generator so your pump won’t lose power just when you need it the most.

No matter which measures need to be taken to prevent your basement from flooding, trust Reliable Basement Services to make the process hassle-free. A family-owned and operated company, we’ve served the greater Chicago area for over a decade. We offer a full spectrum of basement services including crack repairs, sump pump systems, basement waterproofing, basement windows, and floor repair. Our consistently high standards have made us an award-winning Chicago basement waterproofing contractor, so call us at (630) 777-0539 or visit our website.