Tips to Avoid Basement Flooding

05/18/2020

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Basement flooding is costly, inconvenient and can make you sick. Water damage can destroy your belongings, your equipment and your home’s structure. It can create the ideal environment for bacteria and mold even if your belongings escape unscathed. Repair from a basement flood isn’t always covered by insurance so it can cost you a pretty penny.

Avoid the disaster of a flooded basement with these tips:

Maintain your yard for proper drainage

Keep your yard clear of debris to ensure that the drainage system can clear water and melted snow. Remove leaves in fall and make sure you don’t leave other debris in your yard. Maintain slopes to city storm drainage to prevent pooling of water that can make it to your basement.

Inspect supply piping

A leaky pipe can turn into a full blown disaster if left unchecked. Make it a habit to check your water supply piping for small leaks or cracks that can worsen. Call a plumber to fix it right away before you’re faced with a flooded basement. Video inspect your sewer line yearly to ensure it’s not been damaged by roots or other factors. Consider having the line replaced if roots have been an issue. Once roots get into a sewer line, they will always be a problem. Eventually the roots will break your line causing backups and the need for an emergency repair. Before finishing your basement, replace my drain lines that may be under the floor. It’s costly to pull up flooring and dig up old drain lines that have deteriorated and can no longer be unplugged.

Insulated pipes

Protect piping from freezing and bursting by insulating pipes in unheated areas of your basement. Even a fully heated basement is at risk if any of your pipes are routed in external walls. Don’t risk burst pipes and the flooding that follows. If you’re not sure, have a plumber inspect your system to determine where uninsulated pipes may pose a threat.

Extend your roof drain discharge away from your home

The further away your rain water is discharged, the less likely it is to endanger your basement. Ensure your roof drain discharges in a spot that slopes into the city’s storm drainage system so your basement is protected.

Look for early signs of moisture

The unexplained appearance of moisture can be the first sign that you are at risk for a full-on basement flood. If you observe wet spots in your basement walls, ceiling or anywhere with piping, attend to it as soon as possible before it gets worse and the associated cost multiplies.

Install a backwater valve (if your city allows it)

Backwater valves are placed on sanitary lines from your home to prevent water from the city’s main sewage system from entering your home. Some municipalities don’t allow it so talk to your plumber to see if this option is right for you.

If you need help to keep your basement safe from the risk of flooding, give us a call.

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