Unfortunately, basement flooding is common, especially in older homes. Because basements lie below ground level, moisture in the soil can easily penetrate through basement walls, cracks, and floor seams. From cleaning your gutters to waterproofing, we look at how to prevent basement flooding. Although not always possible, we also look at how to stop basement flooding when it occurs.
How to Prevent Basement Flooding
It’s always easier to prevent basement flooding than to stop it. Here are six ways to reduce your chances of basement flooding
Clean Your Gutters
While no one likes doing it, cleaning your gutters is one of the best ways to prevent basement flooding. Clean gutters keep water flowing away from your home. However, if they get dirty or clogged, they will actually allow water to build up around your foundation. Eventually, the water will leak into your basement.
Slope Your Yard
The slope of your yard determines where water pools during or after a storm. If the soil is flat or slopes inward towards your home, water can seep into your basement. For this reason, you should make sure the dirt around your home slope away to prevent basement flooding. If it doesn’t, you can add more dirt to solve the problem.
Add Window Covers
If you have basement windows, you may want to add window covers to prevent them from leaking. Close basement windows during storms and check the caulk around window seals every three to six months.
Fix Foundation Cracks
Foundation cracks will allow water in, so fix them as soon as possible. You should use an angle grinder or masonry saw to cut a channel in the crack. Then fill the crack with hydraulic cement to form a watertight seal.
Install a Sump Pump
Although sump pumps don’t actually stop water from entering your basement, they prevent basement flooding by collecting and removing water. If your basement gets wet every time it rains, you may want to install a sump pump.
Waterproof Your Basement
If your basement walls are always wet, you should waterproof your basement to stop flooding. Both interior and exterior waterproofing is available. Although more expensive, exterior waterproofing is more effective at preventing basement flooding.
How to Stop Basement Flooding
While you cannot always stop basement flooding during a storm, there are several things to try to limit the damage.
Close or Cover Basement Windows
While obvious, you should always check your windows during basement flooding. Close them if they are open. If they are closed but leaking, wrap them with thick towels or blankets to absorb the water. Then put buckets or garbage cans beneath them to collect the drips.
Check Your Sump Pump
Check your sump pump every ten to fifteen minutes during and after a storm so you know it’s working properly. Even if rainwater is entering your basement, your sump pump will remove it. If your sump pump cannot keep up with the amount of rain, use a bucket to bail out the basin.
Use a Pump to Remove Water
If your basement is flooding, use a pump to start removing water. Make sure the hose is long enough to pump the water outside your home and away from your foundation. While this won’t stop basement flooding, it will help limit the damage.
Bail Out Water With Buckets
If you don’t have a pump, use buckets to bail out the water. Dump the water outside and away from your home. Again, this won’t stop basement flooding, but it will help limit the damage.
What to Do If Your Basement is Flooding
If your basement is flooding, you should call a restoration company immediately to pump out the water. While they can’t stop basement flooding completely, they can keep their pumps running to limit the damage.
Even if they arrive shortly after the storm, the sooner they begin cleanup the faster they can dry and restore your home. Plus, this can save you money on repairs in the long run. An hour could make all the difference between drying out carpeting or drywall and completely replacing it.
If you can’t stop basement flooding or there is too much water to clean up on your own, get fast, reliable water clean up now. Call 1-888-443-3110 now for a free estimate on flood damage restoration services. Our flood cleanup specialists are available 24/7 and can arrive in less than 30-minutes to limit the damage and restore your home.
