Winter is approaching, and with winter comes the potential for water in your home’s basement. When snow melts, serious flooding damage can occur in a basement that is unprotected. Flooding is a serious problem in your basement; in fact, data shows that just 2 inches of flooding in your basement can lead to repairs that cost up to $10,000. However, there are a number of ways that you can waterproof your basement to prepare for winter. Follow these four tips to protect your basement from flooding.
The first step in protecting your basement from flooding is to maintain clean gutters. It is very important that you clean your gutters before the onset of winter because clogged gutters lead to a buildup of water with nowhere to go. This water will overflow and be deposited very close to the base of your home, allowing it to seep into your basement and cause flooding. To clean your gutters, all you need to do is either scrape the debris out by hand or use the hose to rinse the debris out and ensure that water is flowing freely. You can also prevent further debris from being collected by installing leaf guards on your gutters.
You will also need to clean your downspouts to keep your basement safe from flooding. The downspout is the part of the gutter that releases water and sends it away from your home. If your downspouts are clogged or malfunctioning, water from melting snow and ice can be deposited too close to your home’s base, causing basement flooding. To maintain your downspouts, first examine them for clogs and clear out these clogs either by hand or using a hose or snake.
Next, check the splash block that the downspouts empty onto. Ensure that they actually move water away from your home. If your downspouts send water through a drain that leads to a tile system beneath the ground, ensure that this area is not backed up or overflowing. Finally, you may want to consider adding extensions to your downspouts to ensure that melting snow and ice are sent farther away from your home and your basement.
Another important step in protecting your basement from flooding this winter is to pile snow away from your home. This is critical because if a significant amount of snow melts near your home’s foundation, it can easily leak into the basement and cause flooding. In addition, snow expands and contracts as it freezes and thaws, which is dangerous near your foundation.
A sump pump is the last defense against flooding in your basement. Sump pumps are installed in the lowest area of your basement, generally in a sump pit. Any water that enters your basement will flow into the sump pit either through natural migration or a drainage system. The sump pump then forces water out of the sump pit and away from your home, ensuring that your basement does not flood. At Intech Anchoring, we can handle both sump pump purchase and installation. Call us today at 800-223-7015 to learn more.
Tim is the President of Intech Anchoring and has 25 years of experience in the Civil Engineering and Geostructural Industry. Tim has developed extensive industry knowledge by working to support the needs of specialty contractors at each and every business level. Tim’s diverse industry background has given him exposure to a wide variety civil construction projects, ranging from the simplest residential applications to the most complex commercial and industrial projects. Coupled with a highly skilled and educated team, Tim focuses on providing the highest quality products and solutions to Intech Anchoring’s customers in order to consistently exceed expectations.