Four ways to prevent your basement from flooding
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Basement flooding might seem like an afterthought or something that won’t occur anytime soon. However, once it does, it leaves a barrage of damage and a lot of stress for the homeowner. Imagine walking into your home and seeing it being filled with water and floating furniture— anyone would be speechless at this sight and not in a good way.
Along with a flooded basement comes mold growth, water damage, and a hefty bill for restoration. Homes with basements require special care and attention because these areas are limited in exits and have little air circulation, making them prone to a lot of problems when they’re exposed to water
Although a flooded basement might seem like an unlikely event, it wouldn’t hurt to learn some tips to help prevent your basement from flooding. The good news is that these are all very simple things you can do without any professional help.
Actions You Can Take Today
Early detection along with good habits and maintenance are the best methods of prevention. Below, we’ll list some things you can do to help prevent your basement from flooding.
1. Inspect Regularly.Take some time to regularly walk around your home and inspect the foundation and pipes. Most of the time, flooding can be caused by leaky pipes or cracks in walls which allow water to seep in.
You might not have realized that water has been dripping into your home. The foundation can also wear down and eventually deteriorate over time. If you regularly inspect your home, you can catch these cracks and leaks early when they’re smaller in size. If they’re still small, you can seal them yourself without any professional help.
The sooner you spot any cracks in your walls and pipes, the more likely you can prevent a disastrous basement flood. Contrary to popular belief, new homes are actually more vulnerable to foundation cracks. This is due to the settling time new houses need which might take a few years and can lead to vertical cracks in the foundation.
So, if you’re currently building a new home, consider leaving the basement unfinished so you can spot any cracks before sealing the walls. This will save you time and money in the long run because you’ll be detecting the flaws early on.
2. Reduce Water Usage. Laundry is a chore you can’t avoid. Clothes are bound to pile up if you don’t wash them. You might not know it, but during heavy rainfall the use of too much water can potentially overload the sewer system as it’s already working so hard to drain the rainwater.
Overloading the sewer system with too much water can cause basement flooding. Although it’s going to take a lot of water, it’s a good idea to take precautions, and limit water usage during rainstorms and heavy snowfalls. Avoid using too much water during your showers and while doing laundry.
3. Don’t Clog Your Drains.Municipal storm sewers can experiencecloggingwhen excess leaves and other debris fill the pipes. This makes them pump water into the surrounding ground, causing flooding. Similar to this, basement drains that are clogged can lead to flooding. For drains to work properly, they need to be clear of any debris or excess. Keep in mind to check drains running through your basement as well.
A simple thing you can do to make sure your pipes are safe from clogging is to avoid putting anything down the drain or flushing anything that doesn’t belong there. Some things aren’t meant to go into a toilet such as diapers, wipes, hair, paper products that aren’t toilet paper, pet waste, feminine hygiene products, cooking oils, and grease.
4. Check Your Appliances
Appliances are bound to wear down over time. Whether it’s your blender, refrigerator, or washing machine, every appliance has its own expiration date. So, it’s important to remember to update your appliances.
You can help keep your appliances are working properly by doing routine checks and maintenance. This is especially crucial for refrigerators and washing machines because they use water to function. If your washing machine or refrigerator were to malfunction, it could possibly flood your home.
Wrap Up
Your basement is just as important as any other part of your house. In fact, it could be said that it’s a crucial part of your home. So, you need to put in extra care and maintenance to prevent it from flooding. Fortunately, there are a few actions you can take without calling for professional help.
Regular inspections, a good habit of not flushing unnecessary things down the toilet, checking your appliances, and using less water during heavy rainfalls are a few effective ways to prevent flooding in your basement.
