Preventing Basement Leaks & Flooding

Posted by Mary Spark on October 3rd, 2019

Basements can haunt you if you do not take care of them properly. The basements are, in fact, very beneficial for homeowners. You can place all your extra luggage and belongings in the basement if you do not use them frequently. Moreover, some homeowners are turning their basement into entertainment zones. They have a huge TV mounted on the basement wall and gaming gadgets available to play games, watch movies and enjoy their free time. However, basement flooding can ruin everything. Therefore, it is important to flood-proof or waterproof your basement before converting the basement into a storage place or a mini-cinema.

If you are living in an area with flooding issues, then you must have a waterproof basement as well as a list of Basement Leak Repair Companies Niles IL.

Maintenance of Pump

You should perform a routine check on your basement pump, typically called sump pump. These pumps have a defined life and can fail with the passage of time. The pump should start working automatically when the water level begins to rise in the sump. If you have faced a basement flooding issue before then you should always keep a sump pump battery backup. 

Keeping Drains Clear & Unclogged

Many older homes have trees nearby which can affect the basement drains. The twigs and leaves can block the mainline that leaves the home. Or, a drain can sometimes break and affect the water drainage system. Even heavy rainfalls can affect the drainage system through constant flow of water. drain lines normally break in the basement as basements are the lowest points inside the house. You should regularly maintain the drains and get them cleared on regular basis, especially during rainy season. Moreover, you can also install a backflow preventer which automatically stops the water from backing up and closes the valves.

Gutter Maintenance

You can also prevent basement flooding by maintaining your gutter and downspout system. The gutter and downspout play an important role in keeping the basement dry and keeping the water outside the house. Even a waterproofed basement can be flooded if gutters are leaking.

Soil Grading

Basement Leak Repair Contractors Niles IL will also recommend you to keep the soil around your house graded. Proper grading flows away from the foundation and stops moisture from entering the foundation.

Final Conclusion

Basement waterproofing does not involve a single step. You have to keep a regular check on your house. You also need to properly maintain the gutters, downspouts, soil grading, and drainage system to avoid basement flooding. During rainy seasons or in case of worst storms, you can get assistance from the professional contractors and companies to waterproof your basement and prevent your house structure from damages. If you are unable to identify the source of leakage, the professionals can inspect your house comprehensively and figure out the source of water leakage. They can also repair the leaking spots and save your basement from water damages and mold growth.