No one wants to walk downstairs into their basement to see several inches or more of water covering the basement floor! The damage that standing water can do to the floors, drywall, furniture, etc. can end up costing the homeowner thousands of dollars!
But the good news is, there are things that you can do to help prevent basement flooding.
1. Install A Sump Pump
The purpose of a sump pump is to help to prevent flooding in a lower level floor like a basement. A sump pump is an essential piece of equipment if the foundation of the home sits below the water table. Sump pumps pull water away from the house and depending on your property, either disperses it or dumps it into a well or municipal storm drain.
Sump pumps are normally installed in a crawlspace or the lowest area of your basement. A hole is dug out to create a pit and the sump pump is inserted into that pit.
2. Keep Your Gutters And Downspouts Clean and Cleared
Excess water from a clogged gutter can collect around your basement and eventually leak in causing problems with your interior walls, exterior walls and foundation.
If excessive rain or melting snow can’t drain through the downspout, that water will eventually begin to find it’s way through the roof and walls of your home and may end up in the basement. So, check your gutters and downspouts and remove any debris.
3. Assess Your Property To Avoid Water Pooling Around Your House
Here in Georgia not all properties are flat. Many have slight elevations and dips and because of this, rainwater can slope down the yard, towards your home and begin pooling there. Eventually, this can find it’s way into your basement.
The solution here is to have your lawn graded so that it moves the water away from your house. A consultation with a landscaper is recommended.
4. Pay Attention To Cracks In Your Foundation
Cracks in your foundation can be caused by multiple things like a broken sewer pipe, too much water sitting in one area of the foundation, droughts, extreme heat and other issues.
Whatever the cause of the cracks in your foundation – they could be the culprit that allows water to seep into your house and into your basement.
If you notice cracks in your foundation – contact a company that repairs them as soon as possible. The problem will not go away, in fact it will only get worse.
5. Be Alert Of Any Problems With Septic Or Sewer Lines
Broken sewer pipes, septic tanks that aren’t maintained and clogged sewer lines all can contribute to excess water and waste seeping into your yard and/or your house (which could mean your basement).
In order to prevent your basement being flooded due to these types of problems it’s strongly recommended to have these problems corrected as soon as possible before they grow to the point where they can cause the kind of damage that can cost you thousands of dollars.
6. If Your Home Has A Window Well – Install A Cover Over It
If your home happens to have a window well – and you don’t have a drain at it’s floor – then we recommend that you install a cover over that well to help keep any accumulation of rain water from sitting at the bottom of that well.
By paying attention and keeping up with the maintenance of your home and it’s plumbing systems, you will have a much higher chance of keeping your basement from flooding.
If you have any questions about how to prevent your basement from flooding or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.