Having a basement is an investment that provides additional storage and living space. If your basement is finished or unfinished, you need to protect your investment. Getting the basement waterproofing tips can prevent flooding and will protect your family, home and investment, read below.
Basement problems can occur. These problems are not limited to flooding but can include serious foundation problems. Both of these issues can be expensive to repair. Some of these repair options can prevent more serious problems from occurring. By using some of the options below, you may save money and extend the life of your investment.
Initial Inspection & Suggestion
Before you decide on any improvements, list the problem areas. Walk the perimeter of your home/building. Note any cracks in the foundation or basement walls. You can fill small cracks with an epoxy sealant or masonry cement. This may be all you need to avert disaster. Be sure to check your repairs after stormy weather.
Another option is to observe the flow of water during rainstorms. You want to do all you can to divert the flow of water around your home. Extend your downspouts and grade the soil away from your home. Let me present some additional tips to prevent basement flooding below.
Tend To Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause problems. Gutters can become flash points for the start of potential flooding. The water flow from the roof generates tremendous amounts of water. When gutters are packed with leaves, dirt, water discharge is reduced. This water backup can lead water to be released adjacent to your foundation. This increases the chance of immediate flooding. With foundation and or basement wall cracks, you can expect basement flooding issues. During the Spring and Winter months, there are more basement flooding incidents. This is a result of increased rain & snowfall.
Check your gutters regularly. Make sure to remove all debris from the gutters and downspouts. Extend the downspouts away from the home. You can purchase downspout extensions from your local home improvement center. With clean gutters and downspouts, you can expect unrestricted water flow out and away from the your home.
Invest in Residential Waterproofing!
More advanced problems contributing to basement flooding may require the assistance of a Fairfax residential waterproofing specialist. The services these pros offer vary, the perfect one for you depending heavily on the specifics of your situation.
The most basic is waterproof paint or primer applied to the interior and exterior of the basement’s walls. For cracks and crevices in the walls of the basement, injecting polyurethane material into said blemished ensures they do not become entry points for your nemesis.
For more advanced problems, excavation may be necessary. This can be performed both inside and out, and involves digging down about six feet to the bottom of the foundation. This allows the contractor to find problems existing at the very bottom of your structure, as well as apply a waterproof membrane or primer to head off future problems.
Grade Your Lawn
If the slope of your property causes water to run towards your house rather than away from it, it is graded improperly and needs to be fixed. If you want to avoid having to regrade your whole lawn, a pricey prospect no matter how large your property is, dig a trench in the middle of your lawn that bisects it. This allows water to run around your house, rather than into the basement. If you prefer not to have a ditch running through your lawn, and you have some handiness with basic tools, install a French drain. This serves the same purpose, without the unsightly break in your lawn’s perfection.
Install a Sump Pump
A sump pump is a handy device used for gathering water in its basin and redirecting it outside rather than allowing it to ruin your prized space inside. Different types of sump pumps are available, including those that are installed under the basement floor itself, to portable ones you can position wherever you want to. Purchasing two, one for use as a backup, is a smart move, especially if your home is located in a high flood area.
To make sure you have your bases covered even if the power goes out in a particularly nasty bit of weather, purchase a generator to hook the sump pumps up to. No matter how expensive or efficient the pump you buy is, it is no better than a large paperweight without electricity to power it.
Check Your Septic System
Having professionals come out and inspect both your sewer and septic system is especially important during the heavy rains of spring. Extended periods of heavy rain can easily clog sewer lines and tax your septic system beyond its capacity to handle.
Contact Dirt Connections For Assistance With Waterproofing
Getting the basement waterproofing tips can prevent flooding and will protect your family, home and investment. You now have a finished or unfinished basement, a point of pride and usefulness, not an area of dread. If you live in an area with a high flood potential, preventative measures should always be taken against flooding. These few simple steps can go a long way towards avoiding the absolute nightmare a flooded basement can be. Ensure flood prevention by contacting Dirt Connections online, your go to residential waterproofing services provider.
