Flooding your basement can be a nightmare for homeowners. It could cause damage to your belongings such as your photos, clothes, and spare chests of drawers. You should be especially vigilant if you live near flood-prone areas in the United States, such as the upper Midwest. However, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared regardless of where you live.
These are five ways to prevent basement flooding.
1. CLEAN THE FLOORING
The floor drains that help to prevent flooding and other forms of water damage can get clogged up with dirt and other debris. If water gets into your basement, this can block the pipes and cause flooding. If your basement isn’t blocked by debris, there’s a greater chance it won’t flood.
2. SURE YOUR GUTTERS ARE CHECKED
Although it may seem strange, this is a good idea. Make sure your gutters don’t get clogged up so any water that does come in doesn’t accumulate. Water must go somewhere, usually down, if your gutters are clogged with leaves and dirt. Too much rain could seep into your foundation if it falls in buckets instead of being diverted through the gutters.
3. DIVERT RAINWATER
You should also check your gutters and find ways to divert rainwater from your home. Make sure you have rain gutter downspouts that are extended and your yard does not slope towards the house.
4. TEST YOUR SUMP PIPE
A working sump pump will ensure your basement is dry during the rainy season. Sump pumps, as the name implies, pump groundwater out and direct it to the storm drains or ponds so it doesn’t seep into basement walls and floors. You can test your sump pump by filling a 5-gallon bucket with water in the pit. If the pump is functional, it will turn on, drain most of the water from its pit, and then turn itself back off. You must ensure that the power cord is securely plugged in so it does not get tangled in its float switch. This will prevent the pump from turning on.
5. HAVE A BACKUP SUMP PUMP OR POWER SOURCE
Make sure your basement sump pump is ready to go in the event of a power outage. Make sure your sump pump is connected to a backup generator if you have one. If your electric sump pumps stop working, you might consider installing a backup sump pump. Roto-Rooter has more information on backup sump pumps and sump pumps.
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Call Lighthouse Restorations today for more information on how to keep your basement clean and how to install your sump pump.
