Tips on Preventing Basement Floods During Spring

Spring showers might be great for your garden, but they can spell disaster for your basement. If you’ve ever experienced water damage to your home, then you know just how stressful this event can be. In today’s article, Barry Best Seamless Gutters, the top choice for gutter installation, gives tips on how to protect your basement from the risk of flooding.

First, we will discuss tips on how to prevent basement floods, no matter how strong the rains are. We will start off with one of the most effective ways to prevent water damage to your home, which is by installing and maintaining high-quality gutters. Next we will provide tips on how to reduce the moisture level in your basement. A musty basement can still be a problem even if it never floods.

Make Sure Your Gutters Are in Good Shape

The primary purpose of a gutter system is to protect a home from water damage. If your home doesn’t have gutters, then you need to rectify this immediately. A good gutter system can handle any amount of rain and prevent moisture from reaching the more vulnerable parts of your home. 

If you already have gutters, then you need to keep them in good condition. Your gutters need to be free of debris and the downspouts need to be properly positioned away from the foundation.

Install a Gutter Protection System

As the top expert in seamless gutters, we recommend installing a gutter protection system if you currently don’t have one. A gutter protection system prevents leaves, dirt and other debris from entering your gutters and forming clogs. This will greatly reduce the risk of gutter problems and water damage to your home.

Install Window Wells

If your basement has below-grade basement windows, then you need to protect them with window well covers. These covers can work wonders in waterproofing your basement. Window well covers are fastened securely over the windows and prevent rain from entering your basement through gapes in the windows. Consider using clear acrylic window well covers so that your basement can still receive natural light.

Keep Your Sump Pump Well Maintained

As the number one choice for gutter protection and heated gutter systems, we also recommend practicing proper sump pump maintenance. Sump pump failure is the most frequent cause of basement floods. If a strong storm is predicted to hit your area, check to make sure that your sump pump is plugged in and working properly. A working sump pump is a great defense in combating mold, flooding and water damage.

Check the Slope of Your Yard

It might be surprising, but the shape of your flower bed or the slope of your yard might increase your risk of basement flooding. If the slope of your yard causes water to flow towards your house, then this water will pool up and eventually find a way into your basement. Possible solutions to this problem include regrading your lawn or installing a French drain.

Inspect Your Foundation Regularly

You should also inspect your foundation regularly for cracks and other signs of damage. Cracks in your home’s foundation basically act like an open invitation for water intrusion. You should visually inspect the exterior of your foundation and the basement walls and floors every once in a while. You can fill small cracks with epoxy. However, as the top expert in gutters and retractable awnings, we recommend calling a professional if you encounter serious foundation issues. 

Keep Your Sewer and Septic Systems in Good Condition

You should also make sure that your sewer and septic systems are in good condition. Skipping out on septic tank cleanings and sewer inspections is a guaranteed way to increase your risk for water damage. Clogs, sewer backups and overflows are bound to eventually happen if your sewer and septic tank are not maintained.

Extra Tips for Protecting Your Basement From Dampness

There’s no such thing as a perfect home, and some problems are inevitable. The best thing you can do is be a proactive homeowner. Identify and address minor issues before they worsen and become major disasters. You should also take the opportunity to implement some quick but effective measures to protect your basement from moisture and dampness.

As the top choice for gutters and awnings, we are well versed in boosting homes’ protection against water damage. Here are some tips. Run an electric fan and dehumidifier in your basement to reduce the moisture content in the air there. You should also improve this area’s natural ventilation by installing screens and keeping the windows open. Cold-water pipes have a tendency to sweat and drip water. You can fix this by wrapping these pipes with foam sleeves or fiberglass insulation.

If you have a clothes dryer, then you need to make sure that it’s vented outside. Problems can occur if the hot and humid air from the dryer is allowed to collect in the basement. You should also consider installing window exhaust fans in your basement. Keep your window wells free from debris because debris can prevent rain water from properly draining. 

If there is minimal airflow in your basement, then consider using non-electric dehumidifiers. These products typically contain calcium chloride, which aggressively absorbs moisture from the air, preventing your basement from being musty. Always make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions when handling non-electric dehumidifiers because calcium chloride can be hazardous.

You can also use the plants in your yard to protect your foundation from water damage. Consider planting large shade trees with aggressive roots at least 20 feet away from your house. Smaller species require only 10 to 15 feet of clearance. You should also check if the grade is highest at your house’s perimeter. The surrounding soil should pitch away from the house at a slope of at least ¼ inch per foot in order to protect your foundation.

How We Can Help

Following these tips can help you minimize the risk of your basement flooding when it rains during spring or when there’s a storm during summer. If you wish to install new gutters for your home or to protect your current gutters, then just give Barry Best Seamless Gutters a call. We have over 29 years of experience in the industry and we are known for our exceptional services and products. Our company specializes in seamless gutters installation, gutter protection installation and retractable awning installation.

We fully stand behind all of our services and products, which is why we back them with some of the industry’s best warranties. For example, our seamless gutters have a 20 year manufacturer warranty and a 10 year warranty from us that covers labor and installation. Our Gutter Helmet® gutter protection system has a triple lifetime warranty that’s transferable and covers materials and performance. You can rely on us for all of your gutter installation and maintenance needs.